50 THE WOODCOCK. 



at the roots of the trees. In mild weather they are to be met 

 with chiefly in the open country, in hedge-rows, &c. but a severe 

 frost forces them to the thickest covers, and to springs and small 

 running streams that are sheltered with trees or underwood. 



The sight of the woodcock is very indifferent in the day time, 

 but he sees better in the dusk of the evening and by moonlight ; 

 and it may also be remarked, that woodcocks will lie much better 

 the day following a moonlight night, thaa when it has been pre- 

 ceded by a very dark one : the reason is obvious the bird has 

 been enabled, by the light of the moon, to make a plentiful re- 

 past, and the next day is lazy and unwilling to fly ; whereas, 

 when the darkness of the night has rendered it impossible for 

 him to satisfy the calls of hunger, he is constantly uneasy, and 

 on the alert in search of food, which he never attempts to seek 

 but when necessity compels him. 



Shooting woodcocks is a very pleasant amusement in woods 

 which are not too thick ; and, if they are cut through in several 

 places, it renders it more easy to shoot this bird in his passage 

 when he rises, and also to mark him with greater certainty ; and 

 woodcocks will generally be found near the openings or roads 

 through the woods, if there are any. In this diversion a good 

 marker is of essential service ; for with his assistance it will be 

 difficult for a woodcock to escape, as he will generally suffer 

 himself to be shot at three or four times, before he takes a long 

 flight. 



The woodcock is a clumsy walker, and rises heavily from the 

 ground, which, I believe, is the case with most birds that have 

 long wings, and short legs. When a woodcock is found in an 

 open field, in a hedge-row, in the pass of a wood, or an un- 

 frequented lane, he skims the ground slowly, and is very easily 

 shot ; but it is occasionally otherwise, particularly when he is 

 flushed in a tall wood, where he is obliged to clear the tops o. 

 trees before he can take a horizontal direction ; at which time 





