WOODCOCK SHOOTING. 327 



covert is low, more time may be given, and the bird allowed to rise 

 above the branches of the trees. 



The sportsman will do well before leaving- the covert to take a 

 turn round the outside ; more particularly if the dogs and beaters 

 have done their work properly. Many a woodcock on being flushed 

 injthick covert drops again just on the skirts of the grove. 



Holly-bushes and evergreens should always be well beaten, they 

 are among* the most likely places in the wood to shelter a cock : 



" Content he wanders, or beneath the shade 

 Of scatter'd hollies turns with curious bill 

 The faU'n leaves, to find his hidden food." 



In very severe and long-continued frosts woodcocks forsake their 

 inland resorts, and depart to woods near the sea-coast, where they 

 remain during the day, and fly to the saltings at twilight ; instinct 

 teaching them that the frost has less effect on the sea-ground than 

 on fresh-water localities : but woodcocks never seek such places 

 except as a last resource during a trying season. The western coast 

 of Scotland is a favourite resort of woodcocks during severe weather 5 

 the frost drives them from northern and eastern parts to a coast on 

 which the snow never remains very long, the aspect being warmer, 

 and more favourable. Mr. Colquhoun makes special allusion to the 

 western coast of Scotland as an extremely favoured locality of wood- 

 cocks ; particularly such parts of it as afford an aspect of the morning 

 and mid-day sun.* 



There is no doubt but they are fond of warmth, and endeavour to 

 choose a resort which faces the sun.f 



The best kind of dogs for finding woodcocks are Clumber spaniels ; 

 but they should be carefully trained to the pursuit, and under the 

 perfect control of their masters: should be persevering in their 

 nature, of good courage, and enured to hard work - } for it sometimes 



* " The snow never lying long on this coast, nor on the adjacent grounds, nor 

 those sides of the covers facing south-east ; and the coverts being filled with nume- 

 rous springs which are never frozen, may be the united causes of attracting cocks in 

 severe weather, their instinct apparently directing them to the most suitable locali- 

 ties." Rocks and Rivers. 



The same author remarks " During severe frost I have seen nine out of ten 

 cocks in those parts of the cover facing the south-east." He also adds that the 

 " north-west covers, though suitable in every respect, are not much frequented by 

 woodcocks in severe weather." Ibid. 



t " The woodcock doth usually lye on banks by hedges and ditches, against the 

 sun." Blame's Genius Rec. 



