148 THE SHOOTER'S GUIDE. 



ing 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 in 

 ^ic day-time 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 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 diver- 

 sion a good marker is of essential service; for with 

 his assistance it will be difficult for a woodcock to es- 

 cape; as he will generally suffer himself to be shot at 

 three or four times, before he takes a long flight. 



Small spaniels, called springers, are frequently 

 used for this diversion (see the head Springer,) and 

 give notice when the cock rises by barking : these 

 animals when well trained may answer very well; and, 

 in fact, they are better adapted for this than pheasant 

 shooting. But a good setter will be found, even in 

 cock shooting, to be fully equal to, if not better 

 than, the springer (see the head Setter). But pointers 

 are not well adapted for this sport, for reasons whieh 

 may be found under the last-mentioned head. 



The woodcock is a clumsy walker, and rises hea- 

 vily from the ground, which I believe is the case with 

 most (or all) birds that have long wings, and short 

 legs. This bird, as well as the snipe, it is said, rises 



