INTRODUCTION 
The American woodcock (Philohela minor ) provides hunting 
in a habitat of eastern North America usually unoccupied by 
other game birds. Although classified as a "shore bird" 
because of its structural characteristics, the woodcock is 
primarily an inhabitant of wooded areas. It satisfies the 
sportsmen's requirement as an excellent game bird since it 
holds well to pointing dogs, is usually quite abundant, and 
presents an elusive target. Other outdoor enthusiasts are 
intrigued by its peculiar physical characteristics and unusual 
courtship antics. 
The woodcock breeds throughout the eastern United States 
and Canada. It nests most abundantly in northern States and 
Provinces from Nova Scotia to eastern Minnesota. Most wood¬ 
cock winter in the Southeast; Louisiana in particular pro¬ 
vides important habitat. In recent years, the woodcock has 
been hunted from September in the North through January in 
the southeastern States. 
To effectively manage woodcock for both the hunting and 
the nonhunting public, its population status and the effect 
of hunting on the population must be known. While we are 
now making progress toward this objective, it is important 
that we expand and accelerate research to insure the continu¬ 
ance of woodcock hunting. 
Appreciation is expressed to the many individuals who 
participate in the annual woodcock singing-ground and wing- 
collection surveys. Special recognition is hereby expressed 
to the Canadian Wildlife Service for conducting their third 
consecutive woodcock wing-collection survey during the fall 
of 1964. This cooperation has greatly increased the quality 
and value of productivity information from important woodcock 
breeding grounds in the eastern Provinces of Canada. This 
report would not be possible without the cooperation of State 
and Provincial conservation departments as well as personnel 
in Regions III, IV, and V of the Bureau who are responsible 
for the operation of the spring singing-ground surveys. 
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