Dartmoor. 149 



in during the day, for if you killed a bird in 

 certain well-known spots on one day, his place 

 was sure to be filled in a few days by another 

 (woodcocks are very like trout in this respect) ; 

 though I believe, as a rule, woodcocks do not 

 spend the day in places that they feed at in the 

 evening, but regularly go backwards and for- 

 wards from their homesteads to their pastures. 

 But this particular piece of ground seemed well 

 adapted, and was used for both purposes : they 

 could have their suppers, and run off to bed 

 at once without the trouble of flying home, 

 though perhaps it would be recommended by 

 the family physician for the woodcock to fly a 

 mile after supper, as a walk to the same extent 

 is said to be good for the human race ; or in 

 lieu of the flying, he might perhaps have 

 recommended " Woodcock's Wind Pills." 



In my wanderings about after duck, snipe, 

 etc., I usually carried, when I was out by 

 myself, a small fishing basket of rather open 

 wicker-work (just lightly brushed over with 

 black varnish to take off' the newness and 

 garishness) to put my game, luncheon, etc., in, 

 as I always had a very great objection to put 

 game of any kind into my pockets ; in fact, I 



