AMERICAN WOODCOCK. 175 



of Selborne" with respect to the woodcock in our own 

 country, and is of opinion that it may always be 

 attributed to the effect of a recent fatiguing journey. 



On alighting the Woodcock invariably runs a little 

 distance before squatting, probably with the instinctive 

 idea of baffling discovery, and is always to be found in 

 advance of the spot on which it may have been marked 

 down. When running in this way it carries the tail 

 erect and spread out. 



In the beginning of August old and young suddenly 

 disappear, as already described, and only a stray bird is to 

 be found here and there, until about the middle of Sep- 

 tember, when they return in numbers from their trip up 

 country. At this time they are in first-rate condition, 

 and afford excellent sport till the first sharp frost strips 

 the glowing forest, when they finally depart for their 

 sunny winter-quarters in the far south. 



The American Snipe {Gallinago Wilsonii) is, like the 

 preceding, also very generally supposed to be precisely 

 similar to ours, but there are several distinctions of 

 habit and plumage between the two birds. 



Though delighting, like its English congener, in 

 swampy grounds, it displays at times a curious pre- 

 dilection for bushy grounds and the outskirts of woods ; 

 indeed instances are not wanting of its having been 

 found within the forest itself. It is said also to have 



