. The illustrated natural history [microform]. Birds; Natural history; Oiseaux; Sciences naturelles. 706 THE The Woodcock is nonrly as well known, tli()u,t,'li not so plentiful as the snipe, to wliich bird it hears a resemhhuiro in form, pluniaije, and many habits. tJent rally it is only a winter visitor, arrivinn' ahdut October, and leaving England in IMareh or April. Sometimes, however, it will breed within the llritish isles, and tliore remain thronghout the summer. During their migration the Woodcocks tly at a "veat altitude, antl descend almost perpendicularl
. The illustrated natural history [microform]. Birds; Natural history; Oiseaux; Sciences naturelles. 706 THE The Woodcock is nonrly as well known, tli()u,t,'li not so plentiful as the snipe, to wliich bird it hears a resemhhuiro in form, pluniaije, and many habits. tJent rally it is only a winter visitor, arrivinn' ahdut October, and leaving England in IMareh or April. Sometimes, however, it will breed within the llritish isles, and tliore remain thronghout the summer. During their migration the Woodcocks tly at a "veat altitude, antl descend almost perpendicularly u])ou the spot where they intend to rest Tiny i!y in CDUipanies of varying nundiers, anil prefer hazy and calm weather for tlieir journey. It is rather peculiar in some of its habits; so that an experienced AVoodcock-shooter will iind plenty of birds, and till his bag, in places where a novice will hardly get a siiiule shot. It is not to be seen until long after noon, and prefers the earliest dawn and tlio hours of dusk for feeding and going abroad. At daybreak it rises from its covert to some height, uttering its peculiar call, wheels about at a considerable elevation, and then starts oif to its feeding-grounds, which are like those of the snipe, wet and , though the bird always chooses a diy and elevated spot for its couch. After satisfying its hunger, it returns to its domicile, and remains quietly hidden until iibout three or four in the aitcrnoon, when the short day is at its close. After spending some time in feeding, it returns to its couch after some preliminary wheeling and twisting in the air, and lies rpiiet until the dawn of the day calls it again to activity. The food of the Woodcock consists mostly of worms, which it obtains M-ith extra- ordinary skill, thrusting its beak as far as the nostrils into the soft moist earth, and liittiii;,' upon the hidden worms with unerring .skill. A tamo Woodcock has been seen to probe large turfs with its bill, and
Size: 942px × 2653px
Photo credit: © The Book Worm / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., boo, bookcentury1800, booksubjectbirds, booksubjectnaturalhistory
