286 BIRDS OF NORFOLK. 
then over, with the exception of a few couples chiefly 
shot by the gamekeepers, their brief rest in our coverts 
is but little disturbed. Considering, however, that at 
this time they are no longer a delicacy for the table, 
their flesh being dry and flavourless, and that every 
year proves them more and more inclined to remain 
with us to breed, it is greatly to be regretted that both 
woodcock and snipe should not be included in the list of 
game, protected from further persecution after the 2nd 
of February. For several years past I have invariably 
seen one or more woodcocks hanging for sale in the 
Norwich fishmarket during the first and second week 
in April, birds which, there is no doubt, would have 
bred in this county, if indeed they had not already 
either eggs or young. Mr. Anthony Hamond, jun., 
the master of the West Norfolk Foxhounds, also assures 
me that during his last week’s hunting, at the end of 
March, 1869, he saw some twenty or thirty woodcocks 
in different coverts nearly always in pairs, whilst at 
that time of year he has seen them sitting on their 
eggs in the North-west of Scotland.* 
Here, too, may be remarked that amongst the many 
strange incidents connected with the history of this 
species, is the fact that although as migrants their 
numbers have greatly diminished, yet the tendency to 
remain and breed in this country seems as much on 
the increase. That this is attributable in a great 
degree to the extensive system of planting adopted of 
late years, both here and in Scotland, more particularly 
of larch, spruce, and other firs, seems generally ad- 
mitted ;+ yet from a few records remaining of wood- 
* Mr. St. John (“ Wild Sports in the Highlands,” p, 220), states 
that he had three eggs brought him on the 9th of March, 1846: 
and a nearly full grown young one in the second week of April, 
1844. 
+ Mr. Hewitson (“Eggs of British Birds,” vol. ii, 3rd ed., 
