218 SPORT AND TRAVEL PAPERS 



was found to be 12J ozs., the latter 26 inches. A wild pheasant 

 shot on the same day, also a fast-flying hird, as many people 

 have experienced, gave the following proportions : Weight, 

 2 Ibs. 15 ozs. ; spread of wings, 30 inches. Thus the latter, 

 although nearly four times the weight, has wings but little 

 larger than the former. The swift perplexing movements and 

 vanishing power of the woodcock are, therefore, not to be 

 wondered at. 



Then, on the mountain-side, unless the light be very good, 

 a woodcock is not by any means an easy bird to see, so 

 wonderfully do the markings on and the general colouring of 

 his coat agree with the autumn and winter tints of the scrub 

 over which he flies. The formation and colour of the dead 

 bracken leaf almost exactly match the markings on the wood- 

 cock's wings and back; the dead pale brownish-grey flowers 

 of the heather, the underparts of the body and wings ; while 

 dead leaves, heather scrub, bare twigs and dead grass make 

 up a background so protective to the bird that a miss becomes 

 more excusable thau would at first sight appear. To find a 

 dead bird in such surroundings without a dog is almost im- 

 possible. To bag a woodcock in rides, cut through woods and 

 coverts, especially when the trees are high on both sides, 

 affords more satisfaction than success in any similar sport. 

 The surroundings are delightful, one is always on the qui vive; 

 skill and quick shooting, and last, but not least, luck are 

 urgently required. 



Thanks to the warm climate of this part of Ireland, the 

 moisture if a stronger term would not be more appropriate 

 and consequent term " softness of ground," and easy access to 

 an unlimited supply of worms, a great many woodcock stay 

 altogether, make apologies for nests almost anywhere, and 

 rear their four young. If later on the young brood be disturbed, 

 the mother flies away with one of her little ones held with her 

 legs firmly against the body, while the others run into any cover 

 near, keep so quiet and hide themselves so effectually, that to 

 discover their whereabouts is a most difficult task. In July 

 these home-birds disappear 1896 was an exception to the 

 general rule where to, is not known, returning in October to 

 their old haunts. The big flights from the west travelling 

 probably via the Orkneys, Shetlands, and Hebrides, arrive on 



