306 The American Woo&cock 



posed thickets while the remains of snowdrifts 

 yet occupied many of the northerly slopes. An 

 old field-book shows that the first cock of one 

 year was seen on the 6th of March, and an 

 entry two years later mentions a bird on the 

 8th of that month. These early birds come 

 North either during, or immediately after, a 

 spell of mild weather, and, not infrequently, too 

 early arrivals have to endure a final cold snap. 

 I have flushed solitary birds which appeared 

 extremely dull and weak, presumably owing to 

 lack of food. These birds certainly came North 

 several days before the frost was out of the 

 ground, hence before they could get at their 

 favorite food, i.e. worms. At such times the 

 woodcock busies himself in turning over the 

 damp, dead leaves beneath which he finds oc- 

 casional grubs, larvae, and worms — at least 

 sufficient to maintain life until a happier day 

 arrives. 



When once the frost is out, the worms work 

 up to and near the surface, and the cock is en- 

 abled to feast at his leisure. An exploded theory, 

 once believed by old-time sportsmen, was that 

 the cock lived by what they termed " suction " — 

 that he thrust his long bill into the moist earth 

 and sucked up some form of liquid nourishment 

 This belief was strengthened by the custom of 

 cooking the bird with the intestines, or " trail, " 



