256 SCOLOPACID.E. 



scribes it to be such that he cannot " get his gun upon them," — in other 

 words, the velocity is so great, as to prevent his taking aim. 



For the last century, woodcocks have been noticed as occasionally 

 breeding in England ; but the instances recorded were very few in 

 number until of late years. Particular instances of their breeding in 

 Scotland were published in 1832, and many subsequently. 



In a communication made by Mr. Selby in 1837, to the ' Magazine 

 of Zoology and Botany,' on " the woodcock breeding in Scotland," it 

 is asked, " What reason is to be assigned for this change in their 

 habits ? Is it to be attributed to a change in our seasons, or are we 

 to look for it in the great increase of woods or plantations so general 

 over all the island, affording these birds additional and secure retreats, 

 as well as an abundant and constant supply of food?" vol. i. p. 201. 

 Sir Wm. Jardine (in 1842) attributes the apparently much-increased 

 instances of the birds breeding in Great Britain to the great attention 

 which has recently been paid to ornithology, and to such facts being- 

 recorded, as he cannot perceive any change in the country to induce 

 the birds to remain more frequently now than formerly.* 



In the county of Down, Ireland, however, they certainly have much 

 increased, though gradually, since my attention was directed to the 

 subject in 1836. This cannot, I conceive, be accounted for by either 

 cause put hypothetically by Mr. Selby. There was always, as it 

 appears to me, abundance of plantations in the three kingdoms suited 

 to the nesting of the woodcock, and the change of seasons, or more 

 equable climate of late years would render the country the more unlike 

 what the bird had been accustomed to — the summer of northern and 

 the winter of temperate Europe. 



That their remaining to breed originated from wounded birds unable 

 to undertake the vernal migration seems to me the most untenable of 

 all reasons which have been assigned, inasmuch as the same cause 

 existed at all times. Why should the number of wounded birds have 

 been greater over the British Islands generally of late years than at 

 any former period ? Did our sportsmen become at once more nume- 

 rous, and then- aim less sure? -Of what avail are all the " appliances 

 and means " of modern " warfare," as the patent cartridge, patent 

 wadding, and percussion caps, if more wounded and unbagged birds 

 are left behind than formerly ! 



* 'Brit. Birds,' vol. iii. p. 171. 



