WOODCOCK, 273 
which prevailed at that time. Unusual numbers also 
occur at times from the same cause in the months of 
October and November. Their nocturnal migrations 
are certainly influenced rather by the wind than the 
moon, this species having been found abundant on our 
coast, after a dark night, with the wind from the north 
or north-east,* which agrees exactly with Mr. Selby’s 
experience that “they always come over in the greatest 
* T am well aware, although quite unable to reconcile it with my 
own experience, that some naturalists maintain that our migrants 
arrive, not with, but against the wind; in other words that they 
prefer facing a strong head wind, and would thus fetch our coast, 
from the north of Europe, with the wind from the south or south- 
west. But although I can imagine a side wind to be more 
favourable than a “stern chaser,’ I cannot understand a long- 
continued flight in the very teeth of the wind being maintained 
without great exhaustion and consequent delay on the journey. 
In support, however, of this view of migration, Mr. Hele, of Alde- 
burgh, Suffolk, a very observing naturalist, makes the following 
statement in the “ Field” of November 17th, 1866. “ Last Tuesday 
whilst fishing along shore, I had a most capital view of a wood- 
cock ‘arriving. The wind was blowing somewhat freshly from 
the north-west, so that the bird was flying directly to windward. 
Its speed was most remarkable. I do not remember having seen 
it exceeded by any other bird, if equalled [it has been estimated 
at one hundred and fifty miles an hour.] The elevation of flight 
was about fifteen feet. Two other woodcocks had been seen to 
‘make land’ a few hours previously.” In reply, also, to the com- 
ments of a correspondent in the same journal, he writes (“ Field,” 
December 1st, 1866), “I have been able from actual observation 
to satisfy myself that many other species come to us from eastward 
during the prevalence of west and north-west winds—namely, 
starlings, larks in large flocks, with many smaller birds, which I 
have not been fortunate enough to identify; royston crows, rooks, 
and fieldfares ; and of those leaving, the swallows, sand and house- 
martins, also swifts, invariably pass towards the south-west at the 
time of the wind blowing from that point.” This is strong 
evidence certainly on the one side, but not more so than can be 
readily adduced on the other. 
2N 
