56 Sporting Notes in the Far East. 



particular district called " Ting-ou-Shan " situated above Canton, 

 which is said to afford excellent woodcock shooting in November. 



The habits and wiles of the woodcock, like his cousin of the 

 " long bill " the snipe, are quite inexplicable ; but it should always 

 be remembered, that they are invariably very loath to quit any 

 favourite spot that has been much frequented ; and will often return 

 to it after being repeatedly disturbed, even to being fired at. A good 

 illustration of this trait of theirs, was more than once afforded to 

 me at a place nine miles from Kobe Japan, beyond a village called 

 Akashi. 



In a quiet secluded valley, with a small runner trickling along 

 at the bottom ; I had the luck to flush a couple of cock together. 

 The right bird I shot, but the left one was too quick, and flew off. 

 Knowing their habits ; three days after I returned to the same 

 place, and there sure enough was my friend, but although I was 

 fully prepared, so was he, and he again did me, this time behind a 

 rock. Determined however, to have yet one more try ; a week 

 later I again drove out to my preserve, and actually saw the " old 

 customer" sitting right down (as the Yankees have it) under a 

 small spruce fir. 



I could easily have potted him there and then, but thinking it 

 hardly sportsmanlike, started to walk him up, with the skin on my 

 face actually creeping with excitement and expectancy. He 

 disappeared into some long grass, and when (as I thought I was) 



