COCK SHOOTING 83 



in front of the barrels. These later haunts resemble good trout 

 pools or favourite ' seats ' of salmon, in that you may make your 

 bag one day, and perhaps go back the next to find them peopled 

 with fresh tenants ; whereas when you have once thoroughly shot 

 out an alder covert in the early part of the season it is utterly useless 

 to try it again until at least some length of time has elapsed. 



The migratory movements of the woodcock are regulated by 

 the moon. Severe storms occurring during the height of the migra- 

 tion often cause great destruction. A snowstorm occurred in 

 February, 1899, in South Carolina which killed many thousands of 

 cock, and left other thousands so helpless and bewildered that they 

 fell an easy prey to foxes and hawks, as well as to nefarious pot- 



YOUNG BROOD OF COCK. 



hunters. It is sad to relate that many birds perish annually by 

 dashing against the wires of the telegraph lines, which are usually 

 set up at the exact height of their flight. 



One of the chief charms of carrying the gun after ' the little 

 red woodcock', say amid such charming environment as the smiling 

 intervale scenery of long fertile valleys like those of the Musquodobit 

 or Annapolis, for which Nova Scotia is so justly famous, is that one 

 can enjoy the glorious autumn weather to perfection when tramping 

 along the sheltered woodland paths and over the breezy hills. If 

 some find the autumn a melancholy season, to the shooting man the 

 face of nature never appears more smiling and gay. To be a success- 

 ful cock shooter, not only must a man be a good shot, but he must 



