120 



It is scarcely credible by a stranger, how 

 near, under certain circumstances, a woodcock 

 will permit himself to be approached by means 

 of this circuit. I had once a singular opportu- 

 nity of putting it to the full proof. In the 

 course of beating a wood, I had my dog at 

 point in a situation which induced me to try 

 how far I could carry the experiment: by his 

 manner I perceived the bird was within a few 

 feet of his nose ; I believe he saw him ; but I 

 was not solicitous about that; I knew my com- 

 panion : I began, therefore, instantly to describe 

 my circle, which there was nothing whatever 

 to interrupt; the ground being a clear level, 

 strewed only with leaves from the timber-trees 

 above, and with a few straggling brambles. 

 From my first distance, of not more than a 

 dozen or fifteen yards, in the course of two or 

 three revolutions, I brushed the stern of the 

 dog, eyeing the bird as I passed ; and narrow- 

 ing still as I came around to face the point, if 

 I had not been obliged to stop in the attempt 

 to stoop, or if my arm had been two feet longer, 

 I should certainly have caught him under my 

 hat. 



From the manner in which I have, as above, un- 

 folded the secrets of this destructive manoeuvre, 

 I must beg that no discreditable inferences may 



