130 



BIRD-LIFE OF THE BORDERS. 



Woodcocks appear rather more addicted to completing their 

 prandial operations during the hours of daylight — during 

 snow I have frequently observed them feeding on the edges 

 of small open burns ; and, indeed, to the arcana of many of 

 the deep bosky dells in which they delight, the weak hori- 

 zontal rays of the winter sun hardly penetrate at all ; and 

 in such places they can feed almost undisturbed by daylight, 

 even at noontide. I need hardly say the popular notion that 

 Snipes and Woodcocks live by "suction" is a delusion, 

 unless a good fat worm be included in that term. 



The prevailing winds during autumn on the Northum- 

 brian hills are west, or westerly ; and these are usually dry 



WOODCOCK. 



winds. However threatening the heavens may appear, very 

 little rain will fall so long as the wind's " airt " is westerly. 

 East winds, on the contrary, are usually accompanied by 

 rain, fog and dirty weather. A change of wind from east to 

 west is frequently attended by an almost simultaneous clear- 

 ing-up of the water- logged atmosphere, and shortly succeeded 

 by the welcome appearance of the sun. The cloud effects 

 produced on such occasions are often wonderfully fine. 

 T well remember a magnificent spectacle displayed late 



