IN SCANIA. 209 



temperature be mild, and the ico and snow in gieat part 

 gone, they rest only a short time before proceeding to 

 their breeding-grounds in the far interior. But if, on 

 the contrary, the season be an inclement one, and the 

 country still fast bound in the iron chains of winter — ^or if 

 subsequent to the coming of the birds, there should be a 

 great "snow-fall," as not unfrequently happens — they are 

 detained in the covers on the coast for a long time, when 

 shooting to heart's content is then, by all accounts, to be 

 had everywhere. Such was the case recently, as may 

 be gathered from what follows : — 



" The Woodcock Jagt in 1802," says A. von B., " was 

 the best known in the memory of man. The warm 

 weather in the southern and midland parts of Germany 

 hastened the departure of those birds to Zealand (Denmark) 

 and Scania. The first of them, the head of the column, 

 already appeared in the very beginning of March (com- 

 monly they do not arrive until about the 16th), and were 

 gradually followed by the main body, which was in larger 

 numbers than ordinarily. They afforded a rich harvest. 

 But it was not confined to the first ' Jagt ;' for, after the 

 birds had remained the usual time on the coast, and had 

 continued their journey a shorter or longer distance to 

 the nortliward, there set in, at the commencement of April, 

 a very severe frost, which compelled them to retrace their 

 steps, and seek a warmer climate. In Scania there was, 

 therefoi'e, a second migration ; but this time from north 

 to south. They flew to and fro between Zealand and 

 Scania. When the wind was from the north and east, the 

 Danish Jagare had quite sufficient employment, and when, 

 on the contrary, the wind was southerly or westerly, the 

 cannonade was renewed in Sweden. It was not until tl\e 

 end of April that the last left us. 



" If we assume that between 2,000 and 3,000 Wood- 

 cocks were killed in Scania alone during this long spring 



P 



