128 WOODCOCK. 



kinds; and one method in which it procures these, is thus mentioned by the Rev. R. A. 

 Julian, in "The Naturalist," (vol. iv. p. 78 :) — "I frequently noticed last season the fallen 

 oak leaves disturbed in patches for some yards where I found these birds, and was at 

 length highly gratified, whilst peeping over a bank, in seeing one taking up the leaves 

 separately, and passing them, quick as thought, through its beak; thus clearing off the 

 small insects that adhered to both sides." Add to these water beetles, and other aquatic 

 insects, and a moderate quantity of vegetable matter, mostly a Conferva, which usually 

 abounds in the water in the feeding-places of these birds. Small pebbles are also 

 generally found in the stomach. 



The terms applied by sportsmen to these birds are as MIoav : — a couple, or a couple 

 and a half, of Woodcocks; a greater number is called a fall or flight. In putting it up 

 you are said to flush it; and it is then on the wing. When at rest they are fallen. 



The dogs best calculated for beating for Woodcocks, are small stout spaniels; for the 

 fatigue of pushing through bushes and brambles for the Avhole of a sporting day is 

 considerable; and very small slight dogs, though highly bred, are unequal to the 

 work. In suitable localities, such as wooded glens, we have seen excellent sport secured 

 by sending men Avith sticks, literally to "beat about the bushes." Should there be a 

 road or pathway tolerably open, down the centre of the glen, you may be sure of 

 pleasant shooting, if the woods contain any Cocks. 



The sight of the Woodcock would seem to be not very acute in the day-time, at least 

 when directed to any object immediately in front of it; this arises probably from the 

 lateral position of the eyes. We quote the following anecdote, bearing on this point, from 

 the paper by the Rev. R. A. Julian, already referred to : — "This season one flew against 

 my breast ; and last year another was observed by a friend of mine to knock itself down 

 against a house, and when he came to the spot it was perfectly dead. I have heard 

 my father relate an incident of one flying against a marker, whom he had stationed in 

 a tree, and striking him so severely on the cheek as to draw blood." 



The following account of the shooting of a white Woodcock in Ireland, we take from 

 "The Sportsman" Magazine, of July 1836, in which it appeared under the signature of 



"Cycyl."— "My friend Captain St. Q , well known in the Irish sporting circles, 



Avhile quartered last year in Gahvay, in Ireland, Avas asked by Colonel Persse, to join 

 a party to shoot Woodcocks in the covers adjoining Clarum Bridge, saying at the same 

 time, that a Avhite Woodcock had been seen occasionally; according to the report the 

 country people made, it had visited these Avoods regularly every year for the four years 

 past. I made inquiries to ascertain the fact of so singular a circumstance, and from 

 every information I could collect, the fact Avas proved beyond a doubt. 



Taking advantage of a fall of snoAv, a time it is Avell knoAvn to all sportsmen, all 

 outlying Woodcocks are driven into the Avoods for shelter, a large party Avere asked and 



