WOODCOCK. 



41 



or rather more in diameter, tapering suddenly to the small end. 

 These are of a dmi clay color, thickly marked with spots of brown, 

 particularly at the great end, and interspersed with others of a 

 very pale purple. The nest of the Woodcock has, in several in- 

 stances that have come to my knowledge, been found with eggs in 

 February; but its usual time of beginning to lay is early in April. 

 In July, August and September they are considered in good order 

 for shooting. 



The Woodcock is properly a nocturnal bird, feeding chiefly 

 at night, and seldom stirring about till after sunset. At such times, 

 as well as in the early part of the morning, particularly in spring, 

 he rises by a kind of spiral course to a considerable height in the 

 air, uttering at times a sudden quack^ till having gained his utmost 

 height he hovers around in a wild irregular manner, making a 

 sort of murmuring sound; then descends with rapidity as he rose. 

 When uttering his common note on the ground, he seems to do it 

 with difficulty, throwing his head towards the earth and frequently 

 jetting up his tail. These notes and manoeuvres are most usual 

 in spring, and are the call of the male to his favorite female. Their 

 food consists of various larvae and other aquatic worms, for which 

 during the evening they are almost continually turning over the 

 leaves with their bill, or searching in the bogs. Their flesh i^ 

 reckoned delicious, and prized highly. They remain with us till 

 late in autumn, and on the falling of the first snows descend from 

 the ranges of the Alleghany to the lower parts of the country in 

 great numbers ; soon after which, viz, in November, they move oflP 

 to the south. 



This bird, in its general figure and manners, greatly resem- 

 bles the Woodcock of Europe, but is considerably less, and very 

 differently marked below, being an entirely distinct species. A 

 few traits will clearly point out their differences. The lower parts 

 of the European Woodcock is thickly barred with dusky waved 

 lines, on a yellowish white ground. The present species has those 



VOL. VI. L 



