Philohela minor

Woodcock Wood"cock`, n. [AS. wuducoc.] [1913 Webster] 1. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of several species of long-billed limicoline birds belonging to the genera {Scolopax} and {Philohela}. They are mostly nocturnal in their habits, and are highly esteemed as game birds. [1913 Webster]

Note: The most important species are the European ({Scolopax rusticola}) and the American woodcock ({Philohela minor}), which agree very closely in appearance and habits. [1913 Webster]

2. Fig.: A simpleton. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

If I loved you not, I would laugh at you, and see you Run your neck into the noose, and cry, ``A woodcock!'' --Beau. & Fl. [1913 Webster]

{Little woodcock}. (a) The common American snipe. (b) The European snipe.

{Sea woodcock fish}, the bellows fish.

{Woodcock owl}, the short-eared owl ({Asio brachyotus}).

{Woodcock shell}, the shell of certain mollusks of the genus {Murex}, having a very long canal, with or without spines.

{Woodcock snipe}. See under {Snipe}. [1913 Webster]