122 AN EAST COAST NATURALIST 



killed on the 18th had a bill measuring only 2J 

 inches in length. 



1894. First Woodcock killed on 3rd October, 

 one killed by a stone on the 15th. 



1895. First seen 15th October. 



The greatest number of Woodcocks I have ever 

 heard of as being locally killed by one man after 

 a heavy immigration is nine, all obtained in one 

 day on the marams by a gunner named Davy Burch. 

 This was early in the "fifties. 



Other first appearances are as follow : 



1896, 13th October; 1897, 5th October; 1898, 

 21 st October, when a completely decapitated example 

 was found lying beneath a telegraph wire ; 1903, 

 24th October. 



FOLLOWING THEIR FOOD 



Many instances have been given of the wonderful 

 way in which birds find out where food is in plenty. 

 Whether they can communicate facts and ideas, or 

 whether they trust to instinctive senses, I will not 

 venture to suggest. I simply state facts. 



I have noticed year by year how in the early 

 mornings troops of Sparrows in summer betake them- 

 selves to the sands, to glean up crumbs and other 



