The male Woodcock, it is believed, when he gets his "intended" off entirely to himself, exhibits in peculiar dances and jigs that he is hers and hers only, or rises high on the wing cutting the most peculiar capers and gyrations in the air, protesting to her in the grass beneath the most earnest devotion, or advertising to her his whereabouts. [Illustration From col. Chi. Acad. Sciences. AMERICAN WOODCOCK.] THE WOODCOCK. Here is a bird that is not often seen in the daytime. During the day he stays in the deep woods or among the tall marsh grasses. It is at twilight that you may see him. He then comes out in search of food. Isn't he an odd-looking bird? His bill is made long so that he can bore into the soft ground for earthworms. You notice his color is much like the Ruffed Grouse in June "BIRDS." This seems to be the color of a great many birds whose home is among the grasses and dried leaves. Maybe you can see a reason for this. Those who have watched the Woodcock carefully, say that he can move the tip end of the upper part of his bill. This acts like a finger in helping him to draw his food from the ground. What a sight it must be to see a number of these queer looking birds at work getting their food. If they happen to be in a swampy place, they often find earthworms by simply turning over the dead leaves. If there should be, near by, a field that has been newly plowed, they will gather in numbers, at twilight, and search for worms. The Woodcock has short wings for his size. He seems to be able to fly very fast. You can imagine how he looks while flying--his long bill out in front and his legs hanging down. THE AMERICAN SCOTER. The specimen we give of the American Scoter is one of unusual rarity and beauty of plumage. It was seen off the government pier, in Chicago, in November, 1895, and has been much admired. The Scoter has as many names as characteristics, being called the Sea Coot, the Butter-billed, and the Hollow-billed Coot. The plumage of the full grown male is entirely black, while the female is a sooty brown, becoming paler below. She is also somewhat smaller. This Duck is sometimes found in great numbers along the entire Atlantic coast where it feeds on small shell fish which it secures by diving. A few nest in Labrador, and in winter it is found in New Jersey, on the Great Lakes, and in California. The neighborhoods of marshes and ponds are its haunts, and in the Hudson Bay region the Scoter nests in June and July. The nest is built on the ground near water. Coarse grass, feathers, and down are commonly used to make it comfortable, while it is well secreted in hollows in steep banks and cliffs. The eggs are from six to ten, of a dull buff color.