WOODCOCK 29 



land. In this large area, which includes a considerable 

 portion of the summer range of the woodcock, shoot- 

 ing lasts for from one to two and a half months, begin- 

 ning from September 15 to November i in different 

 States, and ending November 15 to January i. The 

 abolition of the barbarous practice of spring and sum- 

 mer shooting and the shortening of the open season 

 has resulted in this encouraging increase in the number 

 of the birds. 



