FEEDING- GRO UiYDS 2 1 9 



Woodcock select much the same description of 

 feeding-grounds as do snipe. In fine open weather 

 they will often remain on the moors and open grounds 

 before taking to the woods. 1 have frequently very 

 sensibly increased the day's bag by waiting for them 

 at springs which I knew them to frequent at twilight, 

 when they came down from the higher ground to feed. 



If taken just before they light on the ground, they 

 offer a very difficult shot, as they light so rapidly; and 

 when once they have lighted, it is hopeless to get a 

 shot at them, as if again tiushed they invariably, under 

 such circumstances, tiy so low as to preclude their 

 being seen clearly enough to offer a shot, and will 

 skim into some hole or corner, and thence run out of 

 danger at an extraordinary pace ; so the only chance 

 is to shoot at them as they are about to light, and 

 there is generally time for a quick shot at them ; very 

 often it may be when they are high overhead. It is 

 sharp practice, and will take a good shot all he knows 

 to put a bag together in the little twilight which is 

 offered in the dark autumn evenings, 



I have noticed that they generally come down from 

 the outside hills, moors, etc., thereby proving that 

 until the colder winter weather sets in they prefer the 

 open country. The first frost, however, drives them 

 to their favourite woods, where there are the most 

 suitable springs. Therefore it is not advisable to beat 

 the woods for cock until after the first hard frost, 

 when a good bag may be reasonably hoped for and 

 expected. The bag, however numerous the birds, 

 must of course depend very much on the capabilities 

 of the gun. 



The great thing in woodcock-.shooting is to keep 



