192 
FRANK FORESTER^ FIELD SPORTS. 
vicinity, and had beat the very ground on which I have subse¬ 
quently killed hundreds, without getting above half-a-dozen 
shots. 
It is in the last week of July, or the first of August, that this 
disappearance of the Cock, whether from the hill-swales, the 
larger valleys, or the level meadows, takes place; and after 
this until the first week in October, it is useless to hunt for 
them. A few birds can, it is true, at all times be procured, 
enough to furnish a dainty for a sick friend, or perhaps at a 
hard pinch to try a dog; but certainly not enough to render it 
agreeable, or worth the while to go out in pursuit of them. 
Another fact, going to prove that there is an absolute disap¬ 
pearance or emigration of the bird, at this season, is that on 
their return, they come in successive flights, tarrying each a 
longer or shorter time, according to the circumstances of the 
weather, and then passing onward. This is, I think, conclusive. 
When first I began to sport in this country, some sixteen 
years ago, there were two theories current among sportsmen, 
whereby to account for the fact, that in woods, where the birds 
swarmed in July, they were hardly to be found in August. 
Both theories, as I have proved to my own satisfaction, are 
untenable and groundless. 
The first was this—“ That the bird did not in truth, disappear 
at all, but remained on his old ground ; though, owing to the 
fact of his being in moult, he gave out no scent whereby the 
dog could detect him; and from sickness, or inability to fly 
with his wonted velocity, refused to rise before the tread of his 
intruding enemy, the man.” 
This theory is answered in a word. The Woodcock, while 
in moult, does give out as much scent, is pointed as readily by 
dogs, does rise as willingly before the point, and is as good 
upon the table as at any other season. Facts, which are easily 
proved; since, although the great mass of birds withdraw 
during August, and do not return before October, a few do still 
tarry in their old swamps, and may be found and shot, though 
so few in number, and at so great an expense of time and 
