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leaves in search of what may be beneath; and in hard frost, this bird, 

 owing to these peculiarities, is one that suffers most severely. The 

 number of Woodcocks which visit us, varies much from year to year, and 

 without apparent cause. Whatever it may be, it should be sought for 

 in their summer land, not in that which receives them in winter. The 

 migration of the Woodcock is nocturnal, and birds are occasionally taken, 

 after having dashed themselves against lighthouses, attracted by the 

 light. The flight of the Woodcock has been estimated to be at the rate 

 of one hundred amd fifty miles an hour. Its geographical distribution is 

 extensive — besides being generally met with in Great Britain and Ireland, 

 wherever suitable localities occur, its range extends occasionally to Ork- 

 ney and Shetland, but from the want of shelter, it continues there for no 

 time, as we have seen with various species which range far to the north 

 in the British Islands. Still, abroad, the same degrees do not restrict 

 them; thus, we have the Woodcock extending even beyond the Arctic 

 Circle, and breeding in Siberia, Austria, and Silesia. In an opposite 

 direction, they reach the Italian States, Smyrna, and some parts of the 

 African coast. They are seen at Madeira ; and Mr. Yarrell states that 

 the "Zoological Society have received notices of our Woodcock having 

 been obtained at Cashmere," and Dodah near Cashmere, is given by 

 another authority. Specimens have also been brought from India and 

 Japan. The Woodcock is the largest known species of the genus, 

 weighing on an average from nine to eleven ounces. The colours vary 

 in intensity in different birds. 



In drawing these remarks to a close, I would beg all who are 

 interested in the subject to observe, on all possible occasions, the habits 

 of our migratory and other birds. Much yet remains to be known, and 

 every observer may extend our knowledge in some direction. On a 

 future occasion I hope to be able to put together my scattered notes upon 

 other species of birds of our district, and shall at all times be glad to 

 receive information collected directly from nature. 



