WOODCOCKS AND SNIPES. 165 



the wild-duck's. The shrill chirp of the blackbird is 

 a good signal when to expect them. This chirpy 

 scream of the blackbird generally begins a little before 

 dusk ; the woodcocks fly about dusk, and the ducks a little 

 after. In a good place for evening flight, you may 

 generally secure four or five fair chances at woodcock. A 

 few cocks come to the coverts again in March, immediately 

 before taking their final departure. As the ground is then 

 soft, and plenty of worms, &c., are to be found in every 

 part of it, they are not so apt to frequent moist places ; 

 and may, in fact, be flushed in any part of the coppice. 

 It is, therefore, scarcely worth while to beat for them. 



Numbers of the mire-snipe breed among the heather on 

 our moors, and afford no small amusement to the grouse- 

 shooter. I have often bagged four or five couple in a day, 

 when after grouse ; merely picking them up as they came 

 in the way. The young are constantly met with in all 

 stages of progress from the downy ball of a few days old, 

 to the scarcely fledged bird, essaying its first tottering 

 flight. 



Jacks come in September, but are more local in their 

 habits. They are found in considerable plenty on many of 

 our more marshy moors, It is very amusing to witness 

 the attempts of an indifferent shot at jack-snipes in such 

 open ground. They are easily found by a good dog, as 

 they have a strong scent; and, being close-lying birds, 

 they generally spring within a yard of the sportsman's 

 toes ; who at last wishes his teasing game far enough, 

 when a heroic jack doggedly offers another chance. A 



