

Ore B41) Re D5, * 45 
The Woodcock’s beak, which is very long and 
very tender at the point, would prevent its feeding 
upon grain, and indeed Woodcocks only feed up- 
onworms. ‘They do not fcratch up the earth 
with their feet, but only remove the leaves which 
cover the ground with their bills, throwing them 
very quickly on each fide. 
A Prince of Spain formerly confined fome in an 
aviary; there was a fpring of water continually 
running through it to keep the foil moift, and frefh 
turfs were conftantly procured well ftored with 
worms, ‘The worms in vain attempted to con- 
ceal themfelves, when the Woodcocks were hun- 
gry they feemed to {mell them, for they put their 
_ beaks into the ground (never higher than the 
noftrils) and drew out the worms, then they raifed 
the beak in the air, and extending the worms, or 
letting the worms lie along it, the Woodcocks 
fuffered them gently to pafs down their throats. 
The Woodcock’s head is rather fquare than 
round, and its eyes are placed very far back in 
the head, that when its beak is thruft into the 
ground it may not hurt its eyes. 
The Woodcock is very delicate food, yet there 
is fomething in the {mell of this bird fo difagree- 
able to dogs, that there is only one kind that will 
touch them. 
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