THE WOODCOCK. 
179 
They now disperse themselves over the country to breed, 
and indicate their presence in all directions by the marks 
of their boring bills, which are seen in such soft and boggy 
places as are usually sheltered by thickets and woods. They 
also turn over the fallen leaves from side to side with their 
bills in quest of lurking insects, but never scratch with their 
feet, though so robust in their appearance. 
The sensibility possessed by the extremity of the bill, as 
in the snipe, is of such an exquisite nature, that they are 
enabled to collect their food by the mere touch, without 
using their eyes, which are set at such a distance and eleva- 
tion in the back part of the head, as to give the bird a 
remarkable aspect of stupidity. When flushed or surprised 
in their hiding-places, they only rise in a hurried manner 
to the tops of the bushes, or glide through the undergrowth 
to a short distance, when they instantly drop down again, 
and run out for some space on touching the ground, lurking 
as soon as they imagine themselves in a safe retreat. At 
times, in open woods, they fly out straight with considera- 
ble vigour and swiftness, but the effort, from the shortness 
of the wing, is always attended with much muscular 
exertion. 
Early in April, the Woodcocks in pairs select a spot for 
breeding, which is generally in or near some retired part of 
the same woods which usually affords them their food and 
shelter. The nest is placed on the ground, in a tuft of 
grass, or in the protection of some old stump. It is formed 
