584 SCOLOPACID^. 



Although the eggs or the young of the Woodcock have 

 been found, during one summer or another, in ahnost every 

 county in England, as well as in several of those of Scotland, 

 and also more frequently of late years than formerly, yet the 

 great bulk of the species must be understood as only winter 

 visiters, arriving early in October, or soon afterwards, and 

 again departing northwards in March, Mr. Selby, one of 

 our best observers, residing in the eastern part of North- 

 umberland, and only four or five miles from the sea, says, 

 " I have found that these birds always come over in the 

 greatest bodies in hazy Aveather, with little wind, and that 

 blowing from the north-east ; and it is probable that they 

 then find the upper region of the atmosphere, in which they 

 fly, freer from counter currents of air, than in more open 

 weather. After a night of this description I have frequently 

 met with great numbers upon the edges of plantations, in 

 hedges, and even in turnip fields, and enjoyed excellent sport 

 for the day ; but on seeking, on the following morning, for 

 a renewal of similar success, I have not found a single bird, 

 the whole flight having proceeded on their course during the 

 intervening night. It is during this time that Woodcocks, 

 like most migratory birds, perform their journeys : and it 

 seems probable that those which halt upon the eastern coast 

 of Scotland, and the northern counties of England, have com- 

 pleted their task from shore to shore, between sunset and 

 sunrise, as they appear but little fatigued on their arrival, 

 provided the weather has been calm. The distance of the 

 coasts of Norway and Sweden, from whence these visiters are 

 supposed to come, ofFers no objection to this supposition, as 

 a continued flight of eight or ten hours, even at a rate in- 

 ferior to what I conceive they are capable of accomplishing, 

 would suffice for the transit. Another argument in favour 

 of this supposition, is the high state of condition in which 

 the birds generally arrive on our shores, especially at an ad- 



