UPLAND SHOOTING 



WOODCOCK SHOOTING. 



Many years ago I contributed to the Century Maga- 

 zine an article on this species, and from it, by the kind 

 permission of the Century Company, I extract a few 

 paragraphs on some details of the woodcock shooting 

 of those days. Birds were plenty then, as we 

 may hope that some day they will be again, if wise 

 measures are taken for their protection. 



The woodcock is not often seen and is quite con- 

 tented to be overlooked. He has no brilliant song to 

 catch the ear, no gaudy plumes to attract the eye, nor 

 does he perform graceful evolutions high in the air 

 in the broad glare of day. He is truly a modest fowl, 

 and except at night, or during the twilight of morn- 

 ing or evening, he does not willingly venture into sit- 

 uations where he can be viewed by the casual wan- 

 derer through field or wood. One who desires to make 

 his acquaintance must penetrate into the depths of the 

 most tangled swamps to find him at home. Even 

 here, during the day, he is usually half asleep. Not 

 so drowsy, however, as to be unaware of the approach 



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