^00 , Scientific Intelligence, 
ing with it early in the first season, was surprised with its pe^* 
culiar colour, and aware of this species of bird being attached, 
like the swallow, to particular places, was desirous of preserving 
it, which wish he had made known in the neighbourhood; but 
at last, a stranger from a distance, who had not heard of the 
-wished-for exception, approaching the bird’s retreat, effected its 
destruction. The inhabitants on the east coast of England are 
decidedly of opinion, that the woodcocks come from the east- 
ward; while those on the west coast are equally positive these 
birds come from the westward. This is a point it may be diffi- 
cult to determine ; certain it is, however, that whencesover they 
may come, their condition on their appearance in the autumn, is 
invariably such as strongly to indicate that the countries they 
left are remotely situated. Previous to the arrival of the wood- 
cocks in Cornwall, they are met with in numbers in the Scilly 
Islands, which are situated seventeen miles to the westward of 
the Lizard ; and where, at the commencement of the season, 
they are in such an exhausted state as to be easily caught. They 
so regulate their flight, that their approach to those islands has 
never been observed, — their descent must, therefore, occur by 
night ; their stay at the Scilly Islands does not exceed the day, 
and on the approach of night, they again take flight to the east- 
ward. There is a light-house among the Long-Ships, a reef of 
rocks so called, situated about two miles to the westward of 
the Land’s-End ; and it frequently happens in the month of 
October, that woodcocks are found dead under the strong glass 
that protects the light : the birds during the night having been 
attracted by the brilliant glare, and flying against the glass with 
great force, are instantly killed ; and as this circumstance occurs 
on the west side of the light-house, it is advanced among other 
reasons in support of the assertion, that the woodcocks come 
from the westward. It is not, however, the particular direction 
of the woodcock on its approach to our shores ; but the great 
distance of its flight which creates astonishment, especially in 
those who are familiar with this bird, from its efforts when dis- 
turbed, appearing so ill suited to a long or protracted flight : the 
surprise may still be heightened by the circumstance, that amidst 
the great number of birds of the migratory class, which have, in 
a truly exhausted state, taken refuge on the masts, rigging, and 
