334 THE WILD-FOWLER. 



generally very abundant in New Jersey* (America), and in many 

 other parts of the western hemisphere. 



It appears by some authorities that there are no woodcocks in 

 India ; but Mr. Williamson asserts the contrary, though he states 

 they are very rarely met with in that country.f 



In "Le Moyen Age et la Renaissance," tome 1., tit. "Chassee," 

 p. xxiv., is an amusing description of a most incredible method of 

 capturing woodcocks, said to have been used in France during the 

 fourteenth century. 



At that period the French hunted woodcocks after the fashion 

 d la foletouere. The fowler had a dress of the colour of dead 

 leaves (feuille-morte) ; his face covered with a mask of the same 

 colour, having two holes in the place of eyes. As soon as he saw the 

 woodcock he went upon his knees, resting his arm on two sticks to 

 keep himself perfectly motionless. Whilst the woodcock did not 

 perceive him, he walked gently upon his knees to get near to the 

 bird. He had in his hand two small baguettes, the ends of which 

 were dressed with red cloth. When the woodcock was stationary 

 he gently knocked the "baguettes one against the other : this noise 

 amused or distracted the attention of the bird : the fowler approached 

 nearer, and ended by casting over its neck a noose, which he had at 

 the end of a stick. " And know this," says the French writer, 

 " that woodcocks are the most silly birds in the worloVV 



If they can be caught in this manner, that opinion cannot be 

 disputed.! 



* The extensive wild and wet meadows of that state are favourite places of resort 

 for them during the drought so usual in America in July and August. They con- 

 gregate in such places at those seasons, in numbers truly astonishing, and incredible 

 to those who have not witnessed it." Skinner's Dog and Sportsman (America) : 

 A.D. 1845. 



t Woodcocks are so extremely scarce that most of the best and oldest sportsmen 

 doubt whether one is to be found in India. However, two or three ha,ve to my 

 knowledge been shot ; indeed, I am greatly mistaken if I did not one day see 

 several brace, as I was following the course of a small spring through an extensive 

 jungle of underwood near Hazary Baug. They flitted before me for at least a mile, 

 suddenly dropping as they got out of my reach, and taking great care to dog in such 

 a manner through the bushes as to destroy every possibility of taking an effectual 

 aim. It was in the month of January, when we had as sharp a frost as ever I can 

 remember to have experienced in India." Williamson's Oriental Field Sports, 

 with drawings by Howett. Elephant quarto. Anno 1807. 



J Not wishing to give so long a text in a foreign language, I have simply given a 

 translation of this extraordinary proceeding from the French work referred to above. 



