90 KKIDER'S SPORTING ANECDOTES. 



When thus harassed, the birds leave the woods 

 and seek other quarters in the succeeding spring. 

 They formerly bred abundantly in Haycock 

 township, Bucks county; but some foolish fellow 

 from Bethlehem, having laid a wager that he 

 could kill a hundred birds in a day, in accom- 

 plishing this murderous feat, made cocks ex- 

 tremely scarce in this district for several succes- 

 sive seasons. We w r ere told by an innkeeper on 

 the old Bethlehem road, that he saw this man 

 count out ninety-six woodcock on his bar-room 

 floor. 



That they are much more abundantly diffused 

 over the country, than their peculiar habits lead 

 the inhabitants to suppose, there is no manner of 

 doubt. Mr. Krider remembers well an old far- 

 mer residing near Moorestown, New Jersey, who, 

 accidentally flushing cocks in his woods, pro- 

 cured a quantity of powder and shot, and being 

 somewhat conversant in the art of pulling a trig- 

 ger, in one day killed an almost incredible num- 

 ber, which he carried to the Philadelphia market, 

 to the great astonishment of the hucksters. 



The birds were in the habit of breeding in the 

 same woods, and the old fellow, well satisfied 

 with his day's work, has been on the lookout for 

 the long bills ever since; and it concerns us to 

 state, to but little purpose. 



