WOODCOCK. 221 



The Woodcock conceals itself in the covers during the day^ 

 on the ground under the thick holly bushes being a favourite 

 retreat. In the evening it flies out to feed in boggy places, 

 when it may be easily shot. It always returns to cover 

 before sunrise. This sport is called in Sussex " wicketing/' 

 I suppose from the wicket gates across many of the rides in 

 the woods being convenient to lean on^ while awaiting the 

 arrival of the birds. It runs very fast Avhen wounded, and 

 feeds on earthworms, &c._, for which it probes the ground 

 in the softest spots, as well as on small land and freshwater 

 shells. I have taken from its stomach those of Clausilia 

 nigricans wliole_, and the remains of those of Aplexus hyp- 

 norum comminuted. 



The nest is on the ground, and composed of dead leaves, in 

 Sussex generally those of the oak. It is exceedingly difficult 

 to see the bird when sitting. A keeper once attempted to 

 point one out to me, but not till he nearly touched it with 

 the muzzle of his gun could I see it, and then only by acci- 

 dentally catching sight of its eye, showing the aptitude of the 

 lines in Butler's ' Hudibras,' 



"Fools are known by looking wise, 

 As men find Woodcocks by their eyes." 

 In the unpreserved parts of Sussex they are often caught 

 in horse-hair nooses, called springes, set in their feeding 

 places. When flying at night they utter a croaking note, 

 but at other times are remarkably silent. When flushed the 

 flight is often perfectly noiseless, the bird going off like an Owl; 

 at other times it makes quite a loud clapping of the wings, like 

 some of the Pigeons, and goes off twisting sharply like a 

 Snipe. The male is smaller than the female, and both are 

 much lighter in colour in summer than in winter. Those 

 which migrate depart in March. 



