74 BULLETIN 142, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



pointer, and it is often necessary for the shooter to flush his own bird, 

 which may place him in a poor position to shoot. Therefore a well- 

 trained spaniel, which runs around close to the shooter and flushes 

 the birds, is generally more satisfactory. 



For those who have no dog, or prefer to hunt without one, there is 

 another method of shooting woodcocks which can be practiced suc- 

 cessfully by one who is sufficiently familiar with their haunts and 

 habits. From their haunts on the uplands, where they rest during 

 the day, the birds fly through the open just before dark to their 

 favorite feeding place along some swampy run or boggy thicket, 

 resorting regularly to the same spot night after night. If the shooter 

 knows of such a place, where the birds are fairly plentiful, he can 

 station himself there about sunset and feel reasonably sure of a few 

 shots during the brief time that the birds are coming in. But in- 

 creasing darkness soon makes shooting difficult. 



Enemies. — Like other ground nesting birds, woodcocks undoubt- 

 edly have many natural enemies among the predatory animals and 

 birds ; but these have always existed without detriment to the species. 

 As has often been said, predatory birds and animals destroy mainly 

 the weak and diseased individuals, which are the most easily caught ; 

 the stronger and more vigorous individuals are more likely to escape 

 and perpetuate a hardier race, better fitted to survive. 



The natural elements often take their toll in a wholesale destruc- 

 tion. Arthur T. Wayne (1910) relates the effect of a cold wave on 

 the coast of South Carolina, February 13 and 14, 1899, when the 

 thermometer dropped to 14° and the ground was covered with deep 

 snow ; he writes : 



The woodcock arrived in countless thousands. Prior to their arrival I had 

 seen but two birds the entire winter. They were everywhere and were com- 

 pletely bewildered. Tens of thousands were killed by would-be sportsmen, and 

 thousands were frozen to death. The great majority were so emaciated that 

 they were practically feathers and of course were unable to withstand the 

 cold. One man killed 200 pairs in a few hours, I shot a dozen birds. Late 

 Tuesday afternoon I easily caught several birds on the snow and put them into 

 a thawed spot on the edge of a swift running stream in order that they would 

 not perish, but upon going to the place the next morning I found one frozen. 

 These were fearfully emaciated and could scarcely fly. Two birds were killed 

 in Charleston in Broad Street. It will be many years before this fine bird can 

 establish itself under most favorable conditions. 



Telegraph and other wires cause the death of thousands of birds. 

 Woodcocks migrate at night and fly low; if they strike head, bill, 

 or breast against a wire it means almost certain death. Many dead 

 birds are picked up under wires. Wires are increasing all the time 

 and it is to be hoped that the birds will learn to avoid them. 



But the main cause of the woodcock's disappearance is excessive 

 hunting of a bird too easily killed, summer shooting in the North, and 



