Woodcock

It seems best, right at the start, to indicate the purpose of this book. There is no hesitancy in stating that it is not intended to be a scientific treatise or a work of final authority. Far too little of a definite nature is known about the American Woodcock for that. Philohela minor is a secretive individual, largely nocturnal in his habits, with a confirmed preference for heavy cover during the daylight hours. His penchant for privacy renders contiguous observation difficult if not impossible. Thus, for an individual to state, didactically, that this is so and that is not so concerning many phases of his life and habits not only would be foolhardy but, quite probably, inaccurate as well. In addition, our interest in him is that of the sportsman rather than the scientist, and it is with the sportsman’s eye that this book will regard him.