. Our own birds : a familiar natural history of the birds of the United States . t formidable appearance she was capable of,and rushed forward on the squirrel, who, intimi-dated by her boldness and manner, instantly re-treated ; but, presently returning, was met as before,in front and on flank, by the daring and affectionatebird, who, with her wings and whole plumage brist- 220 OURSORES. ling up, seemed swelled to twice her usual size. Theyoung crowded together behind her, apparently sen-sible of their perilous situation, moving backwardand forward as she advanced or retreated. This in-teresti
. Our own birds : a familiar natural history of the birds of the United States . t formidable appearance she was capable of,and rushed forward on the squirrel, who, intimi-dated by her boldness and manner, instantly re-treated ; but, presently returning, was met as before,in front and on flank, by the daring and affectionatebird, who, with her wings and whole plumage brist- 220 OURSORES. ling up, seemed swelled to twice her usual size. Theyoung crowded together behind her, apparently sen-sible of their perilous situation, moving backwardand forward as she advanced or retreated. This in-teresting scene lasted for at least ten minutes; thestrength of the poor parent began evidently to flag,and the attacks of the squirrel became more daringand frequent, when my good friend stepped forwardfrom his retreat, drove the assailant back to his hole,and rescued the innocent from destruction. Two of the commonest and best - known birdsamong the Grallatores are probably the Snipe andthe Woodcock. Renowned among the gunners asaffording the rarest and most exciting sport, and nc. Snipe. less renowned among the gastronomes of our cities,who love better to indulge their appetites over a well-cooked brace of either, than to apply their energiesto the doubtful and difficult task of obtaining them. THE WOODCOCK. 221 The Snipe is familiar only as a transient visitorduring Spring and Autumn, its summer haunts beingamong the cold countries of the north, where itraises its brood and returns to pass the Winter in thesouth. The Woodcock is a summer resident in the North-ern, Eastern, and Middle States, where it is a veryabundant species, frequenting the low grounds andswampy woods of almost every neighborhood. Thisfact would perhaps be disputed by some in conse-quence of their not being aware that the habits ofthe bird are nocturnal, and would not therefore meetthe eye of most, unless accidentally disturbed. Theearly twilight is the signal for the Woodcocks to retire to their cover, and the
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1870, booksubjectbirds, bookyear1879
