236 scolopacimi. 



Migration. — Observations connected with the migration of the 

 woodcock have been chiefly made on the eastern and western 

 lines of coast. In January 1838, I was informed by the late 

 George Matthews, Esq., of Springvale, county of Down, that in the 

 Ards, the most eastern portion of the island — forming a narrow 

 but rich tract of land between Strangford Lough and the Irish 

 Sea — the species was then only plentiful about the period of ar- 

 rival and departure from the country. When a strong easterly 

 wind detained them in spring they were abundant. Until the 

 beginning of the present century, they were so there at all 

 times, from October to March • in proof of which, it was stated, 

 that they were of so little value as to be commonly baked in 

 pies \* The clearing away of the cover in which they found 

 shelter, preparatory to the ground being cultivated, has banished 

 them ; and, except at the seasons named, a few only are to be 

 seen. It was at the same time (January 1838), mentioned, that 

 about twenty years previously, Captain Donnan bagged thirty 

 brace there in one day — in rough open ground — and would have 

 procured many more but for his ammunition being exhausted. 

 The next day, he took the field amply laden with all " appliances" 

 for their destruction, but not a bird could be found ; — they had 

 all moved off in the course of the night. On the previous day 

 they had doubtless been awaiting favourable weather for departure. 

 Woodcocks (according to Major T. Walker, of Belmont, near 

 Wexford) are met with in numbers in the mountain of Forth, in 

 that county, on their arrival and before their departure, and 

 sportsmen are always on the look-out for them at such times. 

 After resting a day or so among the fern (Pteris aquilina) on the 

 sea-banks, they proceed to the mountain. Moonlight nights t 



radiation of heat from the soil, and they are less affected by the refrigerating in- 

 fluence of a clear sky, so that they afford a warm seat for the woodcock." — ' Salmo- 

 nia,' p. 332, 2nd edit. 



* Not, however, just so common as in the year 1589, when, according to Payne, 

 one might purchase in Ireland " a dosen of»woodcokes for iiiid." 



t Nights when the moon is full are generally believed in England* and Scotland! 

 to be the most favourable for the migration of the woodcock ; but Mr. Selby has 

 " found that these birds always come over in the greatest bodies in hazy weather." 

 * Knox, ' Birds of Sussex.' t St. John, ' Wild Sports,' &c, p. 223. 



