WOODCOCK SHOOTING. 327 



covert is low, more time may be given, and tlie bird allowed to rise 

 above the branches of the trees. 



The sportsman will do well before leaving- the covert to take a 

 turn round the outside ; more particularly if the dog-s and beaters 

 have done their work properly. Many a woodcock on being- flushed 

 in thick covert drops again just on the skirts of tlie g-rove. 



Holly-bushes and evergreens should always be well beaten, they 

 are among- the most likely places in the wood to shelter a cock : 



" Content he wanders, or beneath the shade 

 Of scatter'd hollies turns with curious bill 

 The fall'n leaves, to find his hidden food." 



In very severe and long'-continued frosts woodcocks forsake their 

 inland resorts, and depart to woods near the sea-coast, where they 

 I'emain during the day, and fly to the saltings at twilight ; instinct 

 teaching them that the frost has less effect on the sea-ground than 

 on fresh-water localities :' but woodcocks never seek such places 

 except as a last resource during a trying season. The western coast 

 of Scotland is a favourite resort of woodcocks during severe weather ; 

 the frost drives them from northern and eastern parts to a coast on 

 which the snow never remains very long-, the aspect being warmer, 

 and more favourable. Mr. Colquhoun makes special allusion to the 

 western coast of Scotland as an extremely favoured locality of wood- 

 cocks ; particularly such parts of it as afford an aspect of the morning 

 and mid-day sun.* 



There is no doubt but they are fond of warmth, and endeavour to 

 choose a resort which faces the sun.f 



The best kind of dogs for finding- woodcocks are Clumber spaniels ; 

 but they should be carefidly trained to the pursuit, and under the 

 perfect control of their masters : should be persevering in their 

 nature, of good courage, and enured to hard work ; for it sometimes 



* " The snow never lying long on this coast, nor on the adjacent grounds, nor 

 those sides of the covers facing south-east ; and the coverts being filled with nume- 

 rous springs which are never frozen, may be the united causes of attracting cocks in 

 severe weather, their instinct apparently directing them to the most suitable locali- 

 ties." — Rocks and Rivers. 



The same author remarks — " During severe frost I have seen nine out of ten 

 cocks in those parts of the cover facing the south-east." He also adds that the 

 " north-west covers, though suitable in every respect, are not much frequented by 

 woodcocks in severe weather." — Ihid. 



t " The woodcock doth usually lye on banks by hedges and ditches, against the 

 sun." — Blome's Gent.^s Rec. 



