* ISfatural History in the English Counties, 87 



in this country, which have come to my knowledge. On the 1 9th of May 

 last, James Smith, keeper to John Chetwode, of Ansley, Esq., near Nun- 

 eaton, shot two young woodcocks in a wood called Hore Park, in that 

 neighbourhood ; and, on the following day, an old bird was shot by the 

 same person at the same spot. The young birds are described to me as 

 having been dry and bad when cooked and brought to table, but the old 

 one was excellent. 



John Wigson, woodman to W. Dilke, Esq., informs me that he observed 

 a woodcock sitting on four eggs in Ryton wood, in the neighbourhood of 

 Coventry, in the beginning of May, 1827. From some cause or other, 

 however, the nest was deserted, and some of the eggs destroyed : on break- 

 ing one that remained, it was found to be nearly ready to hatch. Ryton 

 wood, I am told, is a very favourite spot with cocks ; and J. Wigson thinks 

 there was probably a brood at that place this season, from the circumstance 

 of his having observed a bird there very late in the spring. 



One remark presents itself on the above notices; namely, that if the eggs 

 of woodcocks are about to hatch by the beginning of May, and the young 

 birds are able to fly by the 1 9th, the old ones must have paired and com- 

 menced the business of nidification, &c., at least, we may suppose, a month 

 previously, i. e. by the beginning of April, which is earlier than many in- 

 dividuals of this species leave this country for northern climates. The idea, 

 therefore, which I believe is entertained by many sportsmen, that wood- 

 cocks pair before they quit our island, appears to be well founded. 



I have just been informed that woodcocks were shot in the woods of 

 J. Boultbee, Esq. of Baxterley, which almost adjoin to Hore Park wood, 

 on the 9th of April last. 



The following notices from the public journals are in unison with those 

 above recorded : — 



England. A few weeks ago, woodcocks were still in the preserves of 

 R. More, Esq., of Linley Hall, in Shropshire. This is not quite a solitary 

 case this year. A woodcock's nest was lately found in Chicksand woods, 

 Bedfordshire ; since which time, in the same woods, and within 300 yards 

 of the same place, another has been discovered ; having, like the other, 

 four eggs in it. They have all been hatched, and four couple of birds 

 produced, which are now about the woods. {Coventry Mercury ^ June 1. 

 1828.) 



Scotland. A very beautiful woodcock was shot last week at Banchory by 

 Major Cruickshank, of Langley Park. This circumstance is looked upon 

 as prognostic of an early and severe winter, as woodcocks usually do not 

 make their appearance before the month of October. {Aberdeen Chron.) 



Ireland. On the 8th of August, a fine woodcock was shot in Florida 

 demesne, county of Down. This, we believe, is rather a rare occurrence, 

 as these birds do not visit us till about November, and emigrate again in 

 February. As it was seen in the course of the spring, it is supposed to have 

 remained in the country since last winter. {Belfast Chronicle.) -^YourSy 

 &c. — W. T. Bree. Allesley Rectory, Sept, 26. 1828. 



Middlesex. 



An Artesian Well has been bored in the Duke of Northumberland's 

 grounds, at Syon, to the depth of 535 ft. The first 20 ft. bored through 

 consisted of loose gravel and sand ; to this succeeded strong blue clay, to 

 the depth of 410 ft. ; next, 10 ft. of green sand ; then between 30 and 40 ft 

 of loose chalk ; and, finally, very firm and hard chalk, to the depth of 

 535 ft., which is said to extend to an unknown depth. A strong spring was 

 found in the green sand, but it was not powerful enough to rise higher than 

 30 ft. from the surface. The next spring was found in the solid chalk ; and 

 the two springs, united, now rise to the height of 5 ft. above the surface, and 



G 4 



