96 . ON THE WING. 



The oft-repeated fact of woodcock destroying them- 

 selves on dark nights, by flying against the windows 

 of light-houses, goes very far to prove the correctness 

 of this assertion. 



It is the commonly received opinion in Scandinavia, 

 that the woodcock when migrating always flies, as a 

 rule, '''with the wind" 



The woodcock is the only bird allowed to breed un- 

 disturbed, in certain districts in Scandinavia. " As 

 with the owl, it is looked upon as a bird of ill omen, 

 and when people hear its call-note at the pairing sea- 

 son, they lose heart, believing it to be a Troll-fogel, or 

 bewitched bird ; and this simply, because on alight- 

 ing on the ground it runs rapidly and unperceived 

 from the spot. 



"This strange feeling has, not only the effect of de- 

 terring people from pursuing or injuring it, but causes 

 them to entertain for it both fear and aversion. 

 Hence, if a boy finds a woodcock in a snare or trap, he 

 not only kicks it away from him with his foot, but 

 spits three several times after it, as also on the spot 

 where it has lain, to free himself from \\\&.fortroll- 

 ning or enchantment to which he might otherwise 

 be subjected." 



The proper charge for a gun, in woodcock-shooting, 

 as previously described, is from 2! to 3 drachms of 

 powder, and i to xi oz. of No. 8 or 9 shot. 



