THE AMERICAN WOODCOCK. 
Scolopax Minor. 
Tux American Woodcock, Scolopax minor, or, as it 
has been subdistinguished by some naturalists, from the 
peculiar form of its short, rounded wing, the fourth 
and fifth quills of which are the longest, Microptera 
Americana, is, as the latter title indicates, exclusively 
confined to this hemisphere and continent. It is much 
smaller than its European namesake, being very rarely 
killed exceeding eight or nine ounces in weight, and 
sixteen inches in extent from tip to tip of the expanded 
wings; whereas the European cock averages full twelve 
ounces, being often found up to fifteen, and measures 
twenty-five or twenty-six inches. 
In general appearance and color they bear a consider- 
able affinity each to the other; the upper plumage of 
both being beautifully yariegated, like the finest tortoise- 
shell, with wavy black lines on a rich brown ground, 
mottled in places with bright fawn color and ash-gray , 
but the breast and belly of the American bird are of a 
deep fulvous yellow, darkest on upper part and fading to 
