126 FIELD SHOOTING. 



found in the season, and in spots where one 

 bird has been shot it is common for another to 

 take its place in a day or two. Where such 

 birds come from, and why they did not come 

 before the place was tenantless, is not known. 

 Although in some sort methodical in its ways 

 and habits, the woodcock often seems to be 

 erratic in its comings and goings to and from 

 certain localities. Some days the birds will be 

 found plentiful, for them, in certain ground. On 

 another day, without any obvious reason for their 

 absence, not one can be puf up in the same 

 piece. The weather or some other cause un- 

 known has induced them to make a local change, 

 and this has sometimes been magnified, I think, 

 into a second migration or a permanent removal 

 to the uplands and bluffs. I do not believe that 

 there is any second migration northwards of the 

 woodcock after breeding-time ; nor do I believe 

 that the birds go to the uplands and bluffs, and 

 stay there until the beginning of October. It 

 is not true that no woodcock* are to be found in 

 their usual haunts in September. I have found 

 and shot them myself in that month in fair num- 

 bers. It is true that there are not as many 

 as there were in July, and for the very 



