GALL1NAG0 W1LSON1. 
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two forward, plunge his bill into the earth, and draw out a worm which he would swallow, 
then repeat this performance until all the worms were eaten. After the bird had been in 
confinement for a few days, it became so tame that it would run and pick up the worms 
that were thrown into its cage, taking two or three in its bill at one time and devouring 
them eagerly. This Woodcock had a peculiar way of walking and making its way among 
the weeds, which reminded me more of the Rails than the Sandpipers. I kept it two or 
three weeks, then finding that it was almost impossible to supply a sufficient number of 
worms to satisfy its hunger, I gave it liberty to fly from a window. It took a short flight 
to a potato patch near and eagerly began probing for worms, but finally walked away, 
disappearing among the weeds. 
The twittering or whistling notes of the Woodcocks, given as they rise, have often at¬ 
tracted the attention of writers, some of whom affirm that it is produced by the wings, oth¬ 
ers that it is vocal, and I am inclined to the latter hypothesis, as the sound is withheld 
sometimes and given at others. The song uttered during the breeding season, has also been 
noticed considerably of late. I have never heard it but the notes are said to be almost as 
varied as those given by some of our insessorial birds. Judging from the structure of the 
larynx which is unique among the birds of this order, which I have examined, I should 
say, that although the notes might be varied, they would all be given in the same tone, 
which would be decidedly minor; for, as a rule, I think the gradations of tone are produced 
by the vibrations of the semilunar membrane which is absent in the Woodcocks. Of the 
migration and autumnal habits of these birds, I shall not write, they being well-known to 
all sportsmen. 
GENUS II. GALLINAGO. THE SNIPES. 
Gen. Cn. Bill, more than twice as long as head which is not very large. Legs, short, not feathered to tarsal joint. 
Outer feathers of primaries not attenuated. Keel, exceeding in height the width of sternum. Marginal indentations, two, 
deep, inclosed in adults. Coracoids, equal in length to height of keel. Hind toe, present. 
The stomach is cuboid in form, quite muscular, and lined with a hard, rugose membrane. Proventriculus, moderate. 
Intestines, large and short, with coeca quite long. Sterno-trachealis, not stout, and there is a slight bronchialis, but no 
other laryngeal muscles. Tympaniform membrane, present, but there is no os transversale. Sexes, quite similar. There 
is but one species within our limits. 
GALLINAGO WILSONI. 
Wilson’s Snipe. 
Gallinago Wilsoni Bon., List; 1838. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Sp. Ch. Form, rather slender. Size, medium. Tongue, fleshy, long, thin, and slender, narrowing toward tip which 
is pointed. Sternum, stout. 
Color. Adult. Above, very dark-brown, spotted, banded, and streaked, excepting on primaries, with pale reddish 
and wnite. Outer web of first primary, also white. Sides of head, yellowish-rufous, with line from bill to eye and one on 
ear coverts, brown. Belly, abdomen, under wing coverts, and axillaries, white, banded with brown. Remainder of under 
portions, yellowish-red, banded and streaked, excepting on the throat, with brown. Tail, dark-brown, tipped with white 
which is preceded by a broad band of chestnut-red, finely barred with black. 
Young. Quite similar to the adult, but paler below and darker and more reddish above. Bill, iris and feet, brown, 
in all stages, 
OBSERVATIONS. 
Readily known by the slender form, long bill, bright chestnut on tail, and other colors as described. Distributed, in 
summer, from Northern New England, northward; wintering from the Carolinas, southward. 
