123 



WOODCOCK. 



Scohpax rurficola, . . . ' . Ijxsxub. 



Becasse ordinaire, ..... Temjiince. 



Scohpax. SMops — A stake sharpened at one end: from the form of its bill. Rusticola — A "Woodcock. 



The Woodcock, although, as we shall presently show, not unfrequently breeding with 

 us, is, as far as all sporting or gastronomic purposes are concerned, a winter visitor to 

 this country. They arrive in considerable flocks or flights upon our shores, usually 

 about the end of September or the beginning of October; and it is a curious fact in the 

 history of these migrations, that they first make their appearance near the line of coast, 

 whether this be north, south, east, or west; and after resting a day or two, distribute 

 themselves over the inland country, in places suited to their habits. With respect to 

 the east and south coasts of England this is well ascertained to be the case; and speaking 

 of the west coast of Ireland, Mr. Thompson says, "Mr. G. Jackson, (gamekeeper to the 

 Earl of Bantry, at G-lengariff, for the last ten years,) states that on the Woodcocks' 

 arrival from their northern breeding-places, they are always seen first on the very western 

 shores. He has invariably found them near Dursey Island some days before they 

 appeared inland. This fact is well known to sportsmen living on the western coast of 

 Ireland." 



It is not easy to account for this curious instinct, for it is generally supposed that 

 most of the Woodcocks which visit this country, are bred in Norway, Sweden, and 

 Lapland; it seems therefore singular that they should not first be found on the east 

 coast of England and Scotland, and afterwards spread themselves to the westward, as 

 they would thus be able to rest themselves after a comparatively short flight over the 

 German Ocean. We shall not venture to offer any explanation of the phenomenon, but 

 content ourselves with simply directing attention to the fact. 



In their autumnal migration the females are the first to arrive; few, if any, males 

 being found among the first flight to any particular locality. They are, however soon 

 followed by the males, who are guided by an unerring instinct through the trackless au- 

 to the same localities which were previously tenanted by the other sex alone. Like 

 many other migratory birds, the Woodcock chooses the night for performing its flight, 

 and very generally, if not always, arrives at its destination by or before daybreak. It 



