WOODCOCK. 
174 
be a most abundant locality for both this bird and 
the snipe. The character of the country would, to 
a certain extent, account for the latter ; but, even 
its position, in reference to that in which they are 
summer residents, does not completely account for 
the abundance. Fifty couple are recorded as killed 
by a single gun in one day,* and a range of from ten 
to thirty is not accounted extraordinary. Natural 
copse-wood, on the hills and valleys of the moor- 
lands, are said to he favourite retreats for them ; 
in whin covers they are also found, and we have 
the word of a keen shot, some time resident in 
Ireland, that, after a flight, many might he found in 
the hedges. 
The migration of the Woodcock is nocturnal ; in 
the partial changes which they make in this country, 
we know that this is the period selected, and their 
arrival has been witnessed at early dawn on our 
coasts.f The Woodcock, also, is one of the birds 
which are occasionally taken, after having dashed 
themselves against lighthouses, attracted by the 
light ; and instances have occurred, where they have 
alighted on the decks of vessels in the channel. 
The geographical distribution is extensive. Be- 
sides being generally met with in Great Britain and 
Ireland, wherever suitable localities occur, it extends 
occasionally to Orkney and Shetland, but, from the 
want of shelter there, it continues for no time ; and, 
as we have seen with various species which range 
far to the north in the British Islands, still, abroad, 
* Daniel. + Sec Yarrell. 
