48 GAME BIRDS AND WILD FOWL. 



no doubt already paired and selected some se- 

 cluded spot for their honeymoon, where, if spared, 

 they would have nested and reared a brood. Now 

 by encouraging the woodcock to do this, or at 

 least by protecting him during the summer, we 

 should go far to secure him as a constant resident, 

 and the result would almost certainly be that in 

 a few years the number in our covers would be 

 materially increased. I am happy to say that some 

 judicious game preservers in my neighbourhood 

 have lately enforced this regulation, and with 

 them, after the 1st of February, the woodcock is 

 as sacred as the pheasant, and the consequence 

 already is a palpable and undeniable increase in 

 the number to be found on their properties 

 during the regular shooting season. 



The first arrival of these birds in England is on 

 the eastern coast, during the latter part of Oc- 

 tober or early in November, when there is either 

 little or no wind, or a favourable breeze from the 

 north-east. After resting for a short time they 

 resume their journey towards the south-west ; 

 invariably revisiting, if possible, their haunts of 

 the preceding year, and showing a strong prefer- 

 ence for large woods, extensive heaths or swamps, 

 and, above all, a moist and warm climate. Ac- 

 cordingly, after the early part of the season has 

 passed away, they are more numerous in the 



