cocks cross the North Sea the first flights more on
across England, and often do not stop permanently until they reach the western shore of Ireland and are brought up by the Atlantic." As I have shown in the last volume of the "Fur and Feather Series," there is strong reason—I might say proof—that our first flights of woodcocks arrive from the North on the coast of Donegal, and passing down the western side of Ireland, reach Western Kerry and Western Cork before they spread inland. Mr. R. M. Barrington in his work on "Bird Migration," as observed at Irish light stations, has adduced copious statistics which corroborate this opinion, and it is borne out by the observations of many, the West Coast of Ireland, and especially its northern portion, being first visited by the woodcocks which arrive in autumn, apparently from the direction of Western Scotland. That country, and not England, lies between Norway and Ireland. I should like to refer to the great spread and increase of the woodcock as a breeding bird in Ireland, where it was not known to nest previous to 1833.—I am, Sir, Ste.,
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