BIRD NOTES 19 



birds had, no doubt, struck the steeple in their late 

 evening flight. In the autumn, just before leaving, 

 great numbers used to fly along the sandhills, 

 covering many miles in their flight backwards and 

 forwards. 



WOODCOCK MISHAPS 



The Woodcock is to-day a very uncertain visitor, 

 much less common than in the earlier half of the 

 last century. This, maybe, is due to the ruthless 

 collecting of eggs which has for years gone on in its 

 northern haunts ; certainly the alteration of its one- 

 time suitable feeding -grounds in this locality has 

 largely tended to its banishment from here. With 

 the early October moon Woodcock shooters used to 

 hope for a north-westerly wind. On its first arrival 

 it was looked for among the maram-covered sand- 

 hills, where it dropped in to rest after its fatiguing 

 flight across the sea ; and the market gardens (now 

 mostly built upon) were a favourite resort. Lubbock 1 

 speaks of ten couples being shot on one occasion by 

 one sportsman. Although I have never myself seen 

 the bird actually arrive, I know of a number of 

 instances where it has been seen to land : its usual 



1 Fauna of Norfolk) by the Rev. Richard Lubbock. 



