164 lewis' AMERICAN SPORTSMAN". 



it is difficult to say ; we do not doubt, liowever, that such is 

 often the fact, when circumstances exist similar to those that 

 drive the Partridge to a second incubation. " Frank Forester" 

 expresses himself quite positively on this point, and we know 

 no one in whose opinions upon such matters we ought to place 

 so much confidence, as this accomplished Sportsman certainly 

 has had ample opportunities, as well as inclination, to ascertain 

 such interesting facts. He says : " The ordinary number at a 

 hatching is four Birds, and if the first brood gets off early, the 

 parents immediately proceed to a second incubation, the male 

 Bird in this case taking care of the first brood until the second 

 gets off, when all associate together until the moulting season, 

 when all ties are dissolved, and they know thenceforth neither 

 kindred nor kindness." If the season is very forward and mild, 

 "Woodcocks' nests may be found even as early as March, or 

 perhaps the latter part of February. 



TIME FOR SHOOTING COCKS. 



If the weather continues favorable during the breeding 

 season, many young Birds are large enough, throughout the 

 Middle States, to shoot in July, but many more half-grown 

 ones will be found. 



If we could hope to exert any influence over the shooting 

 propensities of the sporting community, we would advise them 

 to abstain from hunting these Birds till late in September, or 

 rather October, when their age and increased size render them 

 not only a savory dish for the table, but the rapidity of their flight 

 insures them some chance of escape from before the unerring 

 gun. No Sportsman can take any particular credit to himself 

 for the wholesale slaughter of young Cocks during the mouth 

 of July, as at this time many of their victims can scarcely fly 

 over a few yards, and might as well be knocked down with a 

 long pole as fired at with a gun. However, both custom and 

 the laws have sanctione(S the barbarous habit of shooting these 

 Birds at a much earlier period than October; in fact, have 

 given license for their destruction when only half fledged, and 

 when, perhaps, the old Birds are still engaged in the hatching 

 or rearing of a second brood. By the passage of these inju- 



