174 lewis' AMERICAN SPORTSMAN. 



our subject, not relying solely upon our own experience and 

 observation, but culling a little here and there from every one 

 that chance or design threw in our way. 



It is not an unusual circumstance to find Cocks in the wet 

 and rich cornfields during the moulting season, and thus fre- 

 quently escape the notice of Sportsmen, who, by the by, gener- 

 ally have a repugnance to hunt in these places, not only on 

 account of the disagreeable walking, but because it is no easy 

 matter to shoot Birds when the corn is standing two or three 

 feet higher than one's head, for the moment the Bird is up he 

 is out of sight. We would, however, advise all inquiring 

 Shooters to hunt out every moist cornfield that comes in their 

 way at this season, and they will soon be satisfied of the truth 

 of our assertion. In saying this, however, we do not wish to 

 be understood as aidino: and abetting; the huntino- of Cocks at 

 this time, for we heartily disapprove of it, even more than we 

 do the shooting of them in July, as they are now in a measure 

 diseased, and not at all suitable for the table ; but we advise 

 the exploration of the cornfields by the inquiring Sportsman 

 or Naturalist, for the confirmation of our statement regarding 

 the habits of these Birds. 



However, when we take into .consideration the immense 

 slaughter of Cocks during the month of July, it is not very 

 hard to account for their scarcity during the following month, 

 even if it were not the season of moulting; and we see no 

 reason why we should be racking our brains to account for 

 their disappearance. 



FLIGHT OF WOODCOCKS. 



The flight of young Cocks is slow and regular, and seldom 

 protracted in a cripple to a greater distance than fifty yards, 

 merely skimming over the tops of the reeds or bushes, and 

 dropping suddenly and heavily on the ground, with a kind of 

 impetus that sends them running forward several 3^ards. 



In July, young Cocks are very tender, and easily killed, one 

 or two small pellets being quite sufficient to bring them down. 

 Later in the season, having gained strength and muscle, Cocks 

 fly with much more vigor ; they may then be seen darting off 



