The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-09-28
WoOdcock.

Bogardus, In his work on ''Field, Cover
and Trap Shooting" says that to make a
good bag OF woodcock is feat the sports
man may we'll be proud OF. TO meet with
success in woodcock shooting, one must
be an excellent snap shot and possess T.
tirelcss nerve and muscular organization
Besides, he must be familiar with the hab-
| it's Of the bird. TO an experienced eve.
| woodCock ground is easily recognized.
This dainty little bird is an epicurean in
it's habits, and voracious feeder. The
| fat, angle and other worms which inhabit
the rich, soft and wet ground, are consiu-
cred by the woodcock as the most dainty
morsels, and form its sole diet Among
the lowland and marshy places where the
ground is soft and loamy, the woodcock
loves to dwell. 1t is nocturnal in its hab
its, spending it's nights in feasting, and
then at the break OF dawn retires to
favorite retreat among the willows or tan
gled underbrush, and gently dreams the
daylight hours away. 1t is q hard bird to
lind, and sportsman without a staunch
dog with agood nose, may almost tramp on
bird before 1t takes to its wings, and it is
seldom seen until it flies. Occasionally the
sharp eye OF al experienced sportsman
catches sight Of bird in its day retreat.
Of It's long-pointed bill with which nature has
furnished it, and on account of it's resem-
blance to the snipe it is often mistaken for
this bird by farmers who occasionally flush
it while making tours through the marshy
portions OF their estates. The bird while
searching fer food, probes his bill deep
into the mucky spots where worms are
plenty, and his sensitive prober soon de-
tects the presence tf the wood
cocks tempting morsel. For hunting
woodCock Il dog is almost absolutely neces-
sary. Man docs not like to penetrate the
marshy places and spots overgrown with
brlar5 and tall weeds, where the bird Is
found, to raise him from his hiding place,
and no. having the necessary olfactory re-
quisites to detect the presence Of the bird
ny scent may walk within step OF lis in
tended victim without flushing him. On
account of its tender feet and hide it is al
most wicked to use a pointer in woodcock
shooting among the marshes, though in
hunting the bird late in the seuson among
the corn fields, a staunch pointer is used to
good advantage. For general woodoock
shooting the setter is much used. His coat
OF long hair and feathered feet protect him
from the cutting swamp grass and poison
| ous briars, but the thoroughbred Sussex and
st. Charles cookers are fast growing i'll pop
ularity for cover shooting. They ale merry
and a.tive workers, and when properly
broken and handled afford the shooter ex-
cellent sport.
Generally speaking the woodcock is a
hard bird TO hit. Josh Billings, in an ar
cicle on birds, says Of the woodcock that
the first that is seen of the iird is a "whiz,
and the last we sec is q whirr." In shoot
ing among the saplings the shooter must
follow the dog and take his chances with
snap shots. In low underbrush and later
in the season among the ofn fields, some
open shots are obtained. The uncertain
flight of the woodcock as he rises in his
zig. gag flight tends to distract the aim OF
the shooter, and the SUCCESS of the novice
is very uncertain