204 THE Birps AxsouT Us. 
the sportsman, that the natural history of the bird 
is very well known. In the Middle States it comes 
usually in February 
if the weather is mild, 
and in March if the 
spring is backward, 
and knowing the 
country pretty well, if 
an,old bird, locates 
about some bubbling 
spring around which 
the ground is soft 
and warm, and where 
the sun shines for a 
good part of the day. 
Woodcock. There are always 
such places in every 
county, and the bird can thrive very well even if 
there are a good many cold snaps after its arrival. 
Quite early it has got through with its peculiar 
courtship, and the eggs placed upon the bare ground 
are a matter of great care to both parents. 
Nuttall’s account of the courtship is as follows: 
«‘ During the mating season, in the morning as well as evening, but 
more particularly the latter, the male in the vicinity of his mate and 
nest rises successively in a spiral course like a Lark. While ascend- 
ing he utters a hurried and feeble warble, but in descending the tones 
increase as he approaches towards the ground, and then becoming 
loud and sweet, pass into an agreeable, quick, and tumultuous song. 
As soon as the performer descends the sound ceases for a moment, 
when with a sort of stifled utterance, accompanied by a stiff and 
balancing motion of the body, the word d/azk, and sometimes sais, 
paip, is uttered.” 
