THE AMERICAN WOODCOCK, . 
577 
the same place every morning, and be hunted np and down all day without going out of the 
grounds. 
The plumage of the Jack Snipe is very like that of the common species, but may be at 
once distinguished by the absence of the pale brown streak over the top of the head. 
Three more species of Snipe are known in Europe, but are very scarce. One is the 
Sabine’s Snipe ( Gallindgo sabinii ), notable for the total absence of white upon its plumage ; 
the second is the Beown, or Red-breasted Snipe ( Gallindgo grisea), properly an American 
bird, and distinguishable by the ruddy breast and the streak of white from the bill to the eye ; 
and the third is rather a dubious species, known by the name of Brehm’s Snipe ( Gallindgo 
brehmii). 
The Woodcock is nearly as well known, though not so plentiful as the snipe, to which 
bird it bears a considerable resemblance in form, plumage, and many habits. 
Generally, it is only a winter visitor to northern countries, arriving about October, and 
leaving in March or April. Sometimes, however, it will breed in northern regions, and there 
remain throughout the summer. During their migration the Woodcocks fly at a great alti- 
tude, and descend almost perpendicularly upon the spot where they intend to rest They fly 
in companies of varying numbers, and prefer hazy and calm weather for their journey. 
The general color of the Woodcock is brown of several shades, pale wood-brown upon the 
cheeks, rich dark brown upon the back, mottled with a lighter hue ; throat, breast, and abdo- 
men, wood-brown barred with dark brown. The tail is black above, tipped with gray. The 
average length is about fourteen inches, but the weight is extremely variable. An ordinarily 
good bird weighs about thirteen ounces, but a very fine specimen will weigh fourteen or fifteen 
ounces, and there are examples of Woodcocks weighing twenty-six and twenty-seven ounces. 
The American Woodcock ( Philohela minor ) is not only distinct as a species from the 
European, but is properly generically distinct. The European bird is occasionally shot by our 
market gunners. It is readily distinguished by its larger size and lighter-colored plumage. 
Dr. Coues says of the American Woodcock : “ The restriction of the range of the Woodcock 
is a singular circumstance in the history of a family of birds noted for their dispersion and 
extensive migrations. It is only known to inhabit the United States and immediately 
adjoining portions of the British possessions, while in the West its extension is equally 
limited.” 
The fact that this bird’ s nest and eggs are so seldom seen is a singular one, considering 
the thousands of acute observers and sportsmen who habitually handle the bird, and see it 
in its native haunts ; yet the bird breeds in greater or less abundance over nearly all its range, 
and especially in the Middle and Eastern States. 
The Woodcock is an early layer, beginning in March, and in the South in February. 
“At the breeding season,” says Audubon, “its curious, spiral gyrations, while ascending 
or descending along a space of fifty or more yards of height, when it utters a note somewhat 
resembling the word kwank, are performed every evening and morning for nearly a fortnight. 
When on the ground at this season, as well as in autumn, the male not unfrequently repeats 
this sound, as if he were calling to others in his neighborhood, and on hearing it answered he 
immediately flies to meet the other bird, which in the same manner advances toward him. On 
observing the Woodcock in the act of emitting these notes, you would imagine he exerted 
himself to the utmost to produce them, the head and bill being inclined toward the ground, 
and a strong forward movement of the body taking place at the moment the Tcwank reaches 
your ear. This over, the bird jerks its half-spread tail, then erects itself, and stands as if 
listening for a moment, when, if the cry is not answered, it repeats it.” Audubon thought 
this was the cry to attract the female, yet he noticed it sometimes brought forth a rival male. 
Though the Woodcock is generally regarded as an inhabitant, of boggy swamps, yet it 
frequents corn-fields, and other cultivated portions of country. If the season is not very 
severe, a few birds linger during the winter, but usually they are ready to migrate south- 
Vol. n.— 73 . 
