WOODCOCKS AND SNIPES 



THE habits of woodcocks and snipes cannot fail to interest 

 every one who has opportunity for observing them. There 

 is a method in their movements which arrests the attention 

 of a naturalist ; but, unless he is a sportsman too, they are 

 less apt, than many other birds, to come under his notice. 



The first few woodcocks generally arrive about the 

 beginning of October. Their approach is always made 

 known by the red-wing, which bird one cannot help con- 

 necting with the woodcock, as guests who commonly arrive 

 together, however unlike in other respects. When wood- 

 cocks first come, they keep to the open ground, taking 

 refuge in brushwood, rushes, or heather. At this time 

 they are constantly found and pointed on the moors; 

 comparatively few frequent the coverts, at least in the 

 daytime : towards dusk, I have seen them come down to 

 the springs. The first frost, however, drives them to the 

 woods, where the ground is of course less hard. Should 

 the weather continue severe, many take refuge under thick 

 hollies or junipers, especially where these bushes are sur- 



