1876. 
Philohola minor. 
Maine (Lake Umbagoj 
.Jun 3 
11 . 
To the hill above Abbott’s this evoning to hear the 
Woodcock sing. He began callin g shortly after sunset, 
and a niiiute or tv/’o later ascended into the air v/'hen, 
for the first time, I savf him through the v/'hole perfor- 
raance. Upon beginning his doseont his descent his vangs 
v/ere beaten rapidly v/ith intervals of sailing bet’veen; 
a little lov/er dov/ri ho began darting in zig-zag lines 
with arro’v-like speed tracing a course not unlike that 
pursued by a flash of lighter>.ing. A liquid gush of 
song accompanied ea,ch swoop. In this way he came down 
nearly to the ground then witli set wings pitched headlong 
to the spot whence he had risen. The oursts of melody 
corresponded so closely 'vith each sv/’ooo of the zig-zag 
descent that it really seemed as if the sound may have 
been produced by his wings. 
To the hill bo ind Abbot’s this evening to hear 
the Woodcoel:. Ho ascended only or.ice, and then but a 
little v/ay, vniistling faintly with his wings but not 
singing. 
1879. 
June 12. ,, Started three old birds along Peaslee’s brook. 
|i 
2 Started an old bird in a thicket of soruces. 
22. _ Unusually abundant f'is season. I see them almost 
daily, especially in thickets of “savins”—as the young 
firs ai'id spruces are termed hero. 
1880. 
May IG. 
17. 
Two singing in the Poasloo clearing 
this evening. 
Set B-4. Incubated four days—ground in side of 
low mound partially ovorarclved l.y fir slirubs. Female 
sitting, she rose at least fifteen foot ahead, soaring 
directly to the top of the trees, whistling faintly 
t en disappearing. Male started about fifty yards’ from 
|| e opot. In seconf-grov/-th v/ild cherry, poplar yellov 
■birch and alder by the lake shore. Vicinity of’the nes 
very S'vampy and wet, and the mound upon 'wliich it was 
ij placed surrounded by pools of stagnant water. 
Set G-m. Fresh—high ground, at foot of two or 
three leafless busli maples, partially concealed an-d ov-m 
spread by branches of little fir. F.emsJo sitting; I 
stepped within six inches of her before she rose when 
she flew directly away whistling faintly, and crossed an 
open pasture to some thickets beyond. Male started 
about f-rty yards off. This nest was practicaly in the 
open pasture, or rather the corner of it where the ad¬ 
joining coppice had throvm out a scattering fringe of 
saplings; the ground was high and dry—a steep bank 
in fact, reordering the lake. ’ 
