THE WOODCOCK. 175 



with a shrill piping note, in sharp and rapid zigzags, even over 

 the tops of the highest trees, and it requires the steady liand 

 and piercing eye of the long-practised Shooter to stop them in 

 their headlong career. 



When found on the open grounds and meadows, it is easy 

 enough to shoot Woodcocks, but it is quite another afiair in 

 the high woods and thickets, as they rise, not unfrequently, in 

 an ahnost spiral, perpendicular direction, twisting and turning 

 with such rapidity that they gain the tops of the trees and- dart 

 oflfj before they can be fully covered even with the sharpest eye 

 and readiest hand. 



FIRE-HUNTING OF COCKS. 



There is a mode of taking AVoodcocks in Louisiana, which is 

 practised perhaps in no other section of the country; it is termed 

 "Fire-hunting," and was no doubt introduced bv the French 

 population of those parts. A full description of this sport, from 

 the graphic pen of T. B. Thorpe, Esq., will be found in Porter's 

 republication of " Hawker." Fire-hunting is almost entirely 

 confined to a narrow strip of country running from the mouth 

 of the Mississippi up the river about three hundred miles, 

 AVoodcocks resort in great numbers to the interminable swamps 

 of this region, and, according to Thorpe, even remain in these 

 solitudes during the spring and summer months, to breed and 

 rear their young. It is perfectly useless fcjr the Sportsman to 

 attempt the pursuit of Cocks in these fastnesses, overrun as 

 they are with deep and matted grass, high cane, and rank vines. 

 Although manv Cocks remain in these marshes durinor the 

 warm weather, still, the greater number of them go off to the 

 North for the purpose of incubation, and at the approach of 

 winter, return with increased forces to pass the cold months in 

 these secure and favored spots. It is then that the "Fire-hunt- 

 ing" takes place, and continues during the months of December, 

 January, and February. Though the marshes at this time are 

 crowded with these quiet and secluded Birds, it is almost im- 

 possible for the Shooter to get a sight of one of them ; and 

 this fact, together with their immense numbers, is perhaps a 

 palliation for the unsportsman-like practice of "Fire-hunting." 



