THE WOODCOCK. 177 



their lethargy and fly off', and consequently frustrate the fowler's 

 designs. 



NETS AND SNARES. 



Formerly, when Cocks were much more plentiful in England 

 than they are at present, multitudes were taken in glade and 

 spring nets, which were hung in the moist places where their 

 "marking and meutings were observable." These Birds are 

 very loath, while feeding, to pass over any obstruction that may 

 lie in their way, but would rather pursue a confined and tortu- 

 ous path than turn from their course for the purpose of scramb- 

 ling over the slightest barrier that may obstruct their progress. 



This peculiarity of Woodcocks has been taken advantage of 

 by the Fowlers and Poachers of England, who are said to place 

 their nets between the tufts of heath, with avenues of small stones 

 formed on each side, leading up to them, and by this contrivance 

 are successful in taking great numbers. They are also captured 

 by these gentry by means of horsehair nooses, set about in their 

 feeding-grounds, similar to those referred to when speaking of 

 the Partridge. 



Woodcocks are quite abundant in Ireland, and numbers of 

 the English Nobles resort there annually to shoot them. It is 

 usual to hunt them in this country with the assistance of men 

 and boys, termed "springers/' who penetrate into the thickets 

 and woody glens, hallooing and beating the bushes on every 

 side, so as to flush the astonished Cocks from their close retreats. 

 The Sportsmen, while this is going on, move about in the clear- 

 ings, and watch every opportunity to knock the poor Birds over 

 as they endeavor to escape from one cover to another. 



This method of killing Cocks no doubt is quite exciting, but 

 cannot compare with the regular way of hunting them with 

 Dogs, and would not be resorted to by English Sportsmen ex- 

 cept ex necessitate rei. 



DOGS FOR COCK-SHOOTING. 



Cocks lie well to Dogs, and, if their habits of life did not 

 force them to select such inaccessible places to feed, they would 

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