Cambridge, Mass.
1906
Dec 5
  Fate of the Woodcock.
  The Woodcock that we have had in the
Museum for the past five days died
this morning at quarter past ten.
At about ten o'clock I went into the
big room and looked at the bird for the
first time this morning - It was stand-
ing hunched up in the middle of the 
cage. It looked unwell and its eye had
lost its natural brilliancy. Soil on its
bill showed that it had been probing
and the dirt in the cage looked as if it
had been tossed about a good deal.
After watching the bird for a minute or
so, it moved a little, tottering as it did so.
Carl then brought some worms and we
put them in front of it but it made no
attempt to take them. Once it suddenly
began to throw the earth about by quite
vigorous blows with its bill, first to one
side, then to the other for about half a
dozen times. That was the only sign
of any vigor that it showed. It im-
mediately relapsed into its former
apathetic state. I took the bird in
my hands for a moment thinking it 
might possibly eat, but without success.
I then put it carefully back. It im-
mediately lay down on its side and in
a few seconds with barely a motion, beyond
a slight quiver and stiffening of the legs was dead.
W. Deane.