124 FEATHERED GAME 
is even said that at times he watches an enemy 
behind him so closely as to dart headlong into 
a tree trunk and kill himself. This statement 
probably belongs under the heading, ‘‘Interest- 
ing if true.’’ Such cases are extremely rare. 
Most of us have too firm a faith in the bird’s 
ability to take care of himself to believe much 
in this theory. 
With fear and trembling I approach the 
statement I am about to make. Many fierce 
arguments have been provoked and much scorn 
and contumely have been heaped upon me be- 
cause of it—but here goes: it is not commonly 
known among sportsmen that the American 
Woodcock will sometimes take to a tree when 
disturbed. I have seen two birds do so, and 
(dare I confess it?) I shot the first one as he 
sat. It was my first Woodcock and I needed 
him; also I was but fifteen years old—let these 
palliate the offense; moreover, the ethics of 
sport in that section did not then forbid the 
shooting of a roosting bird when it could be 
done. I know of six other instances, in each 
case the bird unshot at and unhurt, where reput- 
able sportsmen have seen the same thing. It 
was in one case a woodcock gunner of long ex- 
