WOODCOCK. 
105 
four, sometimes five, eggs, about an inch and a half long, and 
an inch or rather more in diameter, tapering suddenly to the 
small end. These are of a dun clay colour, 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 instances 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 ot 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 irregu- 
lar 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 favourite female. Their food consists of va- 
rious 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 is 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 
off 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 are thickly barred with dusky 
waved lines, on a yellowish white ground. The present species 
has those parts of a bright ferruginous. The male of the Ame- 
VOL. III.-^P 
