third (point per 30 minutes) and fifth (point per 36 minutes) weeks 
in January. In the winter 1949-50, peak woodcock mumbers were observed 
the first week in January (point per 36 minutes) and the first week in 
February (point per 2 minutes). 
Observations in Central Louisiana 
In addition to the wodcock inventory in west-central Louisiana, 
two days were spent in the field with dogs in central Louisiana 
(St. Landry Parish). This work was done January 22 and 23, 1952 in and 
adjacent to the Atchafalaya River bottoms. Thickets, bordering fields 
known to be utilized by night feeding woodcock, were sampled. Portions 
of the extensive wooded bottomlands were also checked. The dogs lo-~ 
cated no wodcock in 9% hours of work. Examination of. several fields 
and pastures known as woodcock feeding areas revealed very little wood- 
cock sign (probings or droppings). It was the consensus of opinion of 
the natives encountered during the work that the mild, dry weather 
caused the birds to forsake these favorite haunts. 
In checking these coverts, the same round was made that a Palmetto, 
Louisiana hunter had made in December. On the December round his dogs 
located "several" woodcock. Finding no birds on the January 23 round 
indicates that the birds left this favorite area early this year. 
Sex Ratio 
Twenty-four woodcock were collected during the winter. Eight of 
the birds were males and 16 were females. | 
The average weight of the 8 males collected was 149.7 grams. The 
heaviest male weighed 16) grams; the lightest 129 graas. The average 
weight of the 16 females was 203.3 grams. The heaviest bird weighed 252 
grams; the lightest 180 grams. 
Summary 
1. Woodcock observations were made during 273 hours spent afield 
with dogs in the longleaf pine area in the vicinity of Leesville, — 
Louisiana; 125. wodcock points were made. The dogs averaged a wodcock 
point for about every 2 hours in the field. 
2. Inventory work in the winters 1919-50 and 1950-51 showed the © 
dogs averaging a point for about every hour afield. 
3. It is not believed that the lower inventory figures necessarily 
reflects a generally lower woodcock population, but rather, it reflects 
poorer habitat conditions this season in this area. Where habitat condi- 
tions were favorable in west-central Louisiana, woodcock were found. A 
total of 125 were recorded. 
