106 With Rod and Gtm in New England 



s 



But when it is found in more open places, such as scattered low clumps 

 of alders, in meadows, in cornfields, and in small growths of scrubs and 

 birches on hillsides, the hunter often obtains great sport, particularly if he 

 has a well-trained dog. I have shot them not only in all these localities, 

 but on one occasion had the good fortune to obtain a number in a large 

 field of mangolds on Prince Edward island, from which I flushed them by 

 " walking them up," just as one often flushes snipe on the meadows. 



Like many other species the woodcock has numerous enemies. Small 

 owls, particularly the screech owl {Scops asio), destroy no inconsiderable 

 number. Weasels and other predatory animals also prey upon it, and I 

 once killed a snake that I caught in the act of swallowing one of the young 

 birds which it had captured. I have been informed, also, that the red 

 squirrel or " chickaree " sometimes captures and eats the chicks. 



The woodcock remains in our northern woods in the autumn some- 

 times as late as early December or until the weather becomes severely 

 cold, when, in consequence of the failure of its food supply by reason 

 of the freezing up of the spring holes and runs, it departs on its southern 

 migration. This, like that in the spring, is performed in the nocturnal 

 hours, and a considerable distance, sometimes hundreds of miles, is often 

 covered at a single flight. 



The fascinations of woodcock-hunting have been written of by some 

 of the most talented authors of the century. Among them, Frank For- 

 rester has given one of the best descriptions of the sport in his great work, 

 and almost numberless writers in the sportsmen's periodicals have attested 

 in glowing language to its delights. 



"Bedtime"! exclaimed the Doctor, consulting his watch; "we are 

 getting dissipated up here in the woods where we ought to keep the best 

 hours. Our game birds are a never-failing source of interest to me, but 

 we shall have a good many nights to discuss them, and I, for one, am ready 

 for bed." 



" So am I," added the Judge. 



" Well, I think I will join you," said I ; " the fire is out and the 

 mosquitoes are ravenous." 



We soon sought the confines of our tent, and before many minutes had 

 elapsed we were sleeping like guides and hunters. 



