Curiosities & wonders > Catechism of zoology, or, Natural history of the animal kingdom

CATECHISM OP ZOOEOGT.
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A. The scolopax rusticola, or woodcock, is about the
size ofa pigeon, of a brown mottled colour, with long bill.
It is generally plump and fat, and its flesh is reckoned
a great delicacy. Woodcocks come to this country in
winter, and are found in woods and sheltered coverts;
in summer they migrate to colder regions.
Q. Are snipes common in this country ?
A. Yes; they are found frequenting marshy grounds.
They have a small delicately-formed body, with a
bill three inches long. They fly in a zigzag manner,
and are difficult to shoot. They emit a peculiar cry
in the summer twilights, which, from the similarity
of the sound to that made by sheep, has been called
the wether bleat.
Q. What is the plover ?
A. The plover is a bird with greenish spotted plu¬
mage, and is very common on heaths and moors. It
has a shrill whistling note. The dottrel is a bird of
the same species, which visits this country in April and
September. The food of these birds consists of worms,
insects, and snails.
Q. Can you describe the common coot ?
A. The coot is a bird with black plumage, with short
thick bill, short tail, and flat and large toes. It lives
about the banks of lakes and rivers, and builds its nest
among the reeds. Its food consists of small fish, spawn,
and insects.
Q. What is the water-hen ?
A. It is an elegantly-formed bird, with plumage of
a violet and glittering green. It inhabits the banks
of rivers in the warmer and temperate parts of Eurape,
and is easily tamed.
Q. Can you describe the water-rail ?
A. The wings of this bird are of a grayish colour,
the body dark brown, tail short, and legs long. It
frequents the banks of rivers, and is seldom seen to fly.
Q. What is the crex, or land-rail ?
A. The land-rail is a bird very common in grass and
corn fields; and, from its peculiar and incessant cry
in the summer evenings, it has got the name of corn-