188 SNIPE. 



similar circumstance, more than a hundred have been conveyed to 

 London by one coach from the south of Wales.* 



Woodcocks, for the most part, leave this kingdom in the spring, 

 but it is well known that several pairs continue throughout the 

 summer. A few have been found to breed in Case Wood, near 

 Tunbridge, annually ; a couple were shot in Chellenden Wood, by 

 the gamekeeper to Horace Mann, Esq. on the 1st of May, 1769, 

 and another brace the day before ; and various similar instances are 

 mentioned by authors. A friend of mine found a female sitting on 

 her eggs, in a wood near Farningham, Kent, and so tame as to suffer 

 his hand to pass over her without rising; and a few years before, in 

 the same wood, a pair produced five young, one of which was added 

 to my collection. Many similar circumstances are on record, which 

 are sufficient to prove that they do not wholly migrate; several 

 additional instances of their having been met with in Kent, in the 

 summer season, might be added, but I trust the above will suffice. 



They are a stupid species, and often taken in nets, placed in the 

 openings, when they come out of the woods, and return to them in 

 the evening, which they do in particular paths ; they are also caught 

 in springes, placed on the ground, or near it, sometimes by the neck, 

 for as these birds will not walk over the least obstacle that projects 

 in their way, it is usual to place a range of stones, and in the avenues 

 to set the traps, by which means many are often taken. 



They appear in Breadalbane the beginning or middle of Novem- 

 ber, but do not reach any of the west coasts of the highlands, till 

 the latter end of December, or beginning of January ; continue there 

 in plenty till the middle or end of March, and then disappear at 

 once ; fly regularly from east to west, first land in Angus, Merns, &c. 

 usually the end of October ; but stay a very short time, as the woods 

 are scarce ; rarely seen in Caithness ; still fewer in the Orknies, or in 

 the more remote Hebrides ; one or two only appearing, as if driven 

 by chance ; never known to breed in Scotland.f 



* Orn. Diet. f Tour in Scotland, 1772. p. 24. 



