BUFFALO SOCIETY OF NATURAL SCIENCES 



141 



a clutch of woodcock eggs in one setting aud these now adorn 

 my collection. They are very finely marked and are the envy 

 of every collector who has seen them. 



During the breeding season the soaring flight of these birds 

 is an interesting sight and one that comparatively few observers 

 have been privileged to witness. Loitering in their favorite 

 haunts at dusk one's attention is first attracted by a rather harsh 

 call note — a sort of a squawk, uttered by the bird while on the 



From Photo by James Savage 

 ground. By going cautiously in the direction of the call, making 

 advances only when the bird is in the air, it is possible to approach 

 within a few feet of the spot from which it starts and to which 

 it will return after each flight. After sweeping along the ground 

 for about forty yards it ascends spirally into the air until almost 

 out of sight in the increasing darkness. It continues to soar 

 for a short time and then suddenly drops down in a zig zag 

 course to the spot from which it started. It then struts about 

 and calls for a few minutes and is off again on another flight. 



It requires an experienced eye to detect the brooding bird 

 as its plumage blends so naturally with the surroundings. How 



