126 WOODLANDERS AND FIELD FOLK 



fall they pass on. If the birds experience a fair 

 passage, they do not touch our eastern coast, but, 

 keeping well within the upper air, first drop in our 

 western woods, or even those of Ireland. 



The passage of this species is, curiously enough, 

 invariably preceded by flocks of tiny goldcrests; 

 and so invariable is the rule, that the latter have 

 come to be called " woodcock pilots." The males 

 precede the females by a few days, the latter bringing 

 with them the young that have been bred that year. 

 It is a point worthy of notice, and one upon which 

 much confusion exists, that these woodcocks are 

 usually in the very best condition. Soon after their 

 arrival they disperse themselves over the leaf-strewn 

 woods, and individual birds are known to resort to 

 the same spots for many successive years. They 

 seek out the warmer parts of the wood, and in such 

 secluded situations rest and sleep during the day. 

 At dusk they issue forth, in their peculiar owl-like 

 flight, to seek their feeding-grounds. Like many 

 birds, they have well-defined routes, and at twilight 

 may be seen flying along the rides and paths of the 

 woods, or skirting the plantations. 



Coppice-belts they love, especially such as contain 

 spring-runs. It is here that the birds most easily 

 find food, the soft ground enabling them to probe 

 quickly and to a depth in search of earthworms. 

 These constitute their principal diet, and the 



