These results strongly suggest that many different birds used 
this site. Lack of repeats further suggests there must be a number of 
other areas similarly utilized. If such is the case, the chances of 
getting repeats are remote. It may well be, therefore, that several 
hundred separate woodcocks were observed during the summer. 
As yet, evening observations in other areas have not revealed 
similar concentrations. There is no doubt in the writer's mind that 
there are other areas of attraction, and it is hoped that more diligent 
exploration in another year will discover these. If such is the case, 
a large array of nets would yield considerable mumbers of woodcocks. 
Sexes.--Of 4, birds captured, there were 31 males, 22 females and 
the balance could have been of either sex. Sex was determined by bill 
length and examination of the primaries. Specimens have been checked 
internally. The results give a sex ratio of approximately 100 males : 
71 females. 
Most reports on woodcock sex ratios show a preponderance of females. 
It has been the observation of this writer during netting and trapping 
operations that females are less wary than males and appear to be of 
slower flight. A captured female can be placed on the ground ina 
flashlight beam and can be picked up by hand again readily, even if 
placed 20 feet away. It is seldom possible to do this with a male. 
In 1953, all netted birds were males and actually it is believed 
that more males were lost from the nets than females. These observa- 
tions simply suggest that females may well be more vulnerable to shoot- 
ing as well as other methods of collecting. It is possible, therefore, 
reported sex ratios in the gunner's bag my not be a sufficiently 
representative sample to give the true picture of sex ratio. 
Moltinge=--The first sign of molting observed during this summer 
work was of a female captured in 1953 on July 25. The first molting 
bird captured this year was on July 28, Various stages of molting 
were detected on most birds captured well into September. Based on 
the number of birds seen in the evenings, the evidence points to the 
beginning of a molt in late July with the height of the molt, 
especially wing feathers, between August 11 and August 25 when only an 
average of 3 birds were observed per evening. It is hoped that careful 
study of specimens will result in a method of recognizing juveniles of 
the year. Birds molting in September may well be young of the year. 
It was further observed that the last feathers to molt are the tail 
feathers. A bird netted on October 20 still retained a number of pin 
feathers on the underside of the tail, It would be very useful if a 
method could be found of distinguishing age by the tail feathers. 
With this in view, it is suggested that other investigators who have 
an opportunity to examine birds in the hunter's bag make an effort to 
carefully examine teil feathers. 
