174 SCOLOPACIDiE. 



pertinacious and in sacli extraordinary numbers, that in 

 spite of a previously well lubricated skin and tbe aid of 

 tobacco smoke, I have been obliged to carry a green 

 bough in the hand and constantly wave it round the face 

 and neck. However brief a cessation occurred, while 

 firing or loading, the smallest portion of skin exposed 

 was at once seized upon by a hundred thirsty blood- 

 suckers. I have known even a small rent accidentally 

 made in the clothes to be instantaneously discovered and 

 occupied by as many as could get their heads in. 



In the more dense coverts it is seldom possible to get a 

 really fair shot ; one fires by instinct, aiming rather at 

 the supposed whereabouts of the bird than at any visible 

 object. If the nature of the ground permits, or the 

 thicket is not too large, it is well to have the guns out- 

 side, and let the dogs hunt it alone; but they must be 

 well broken in and accustomed to the work, or they will 

 do more harm than good. For ordinary shooting, 

 nothing is better than a slow old pointer or setter. 

 Under favourable circumstances from eight to ten couple 

 of cock to each gun is considered a fair bag. 



At times the birds are so sluggish as hardly to rise, 

 and when flushed at close quarters will only fly very 

 short distances, dropping suddenly with closed wings, and 

 often immediately in front of the dog or gun. This 

 characteristic White has noticed in his " Natural History 



