Relationship to humans Eurasian woodcock

1 relationship humans

1.1 hunting
1.2 gastronomy
1.3 folklore , culture

relationship humans
hunting

eurasian woodcock depicted on old republic of ireland farthing coin (in use 1928–69). despite small size, woodcock important game bird , source of meat poor farm labourers.

in many countries woodcock hunted game, , size, speed , flight pattern makes them challenging shot. shooting witnessed right , left —in 2 woodcock killed consecutive shots shotgun, without gun being lowered or reloaded—can admitted shooting times woodcock club.

in 1821 william bingley described method of trapping eurasian woodcock formerly used in northern england: long parallel rows of stones or stick, 4 or 5 inches high, made in moonlight nights on commons frequented them. in these rows several intervals or gateways left in traps placed. when birds, running in search of food, came 1 of these rows, did not cross it, ran along side till arrived @ gateways, entered, , in caught.

the effect of hunting on species european breeding population little understood. study conducted in brittany, france, explored factors affecting populations of wintering eurasian woodcock. mortality , survival rates of 98 radio-tagged birds monitored in hunted area , in adjoining hunting-free reserve. scientists found rates of survival of 0.86 adults , 0.67 juveniles, probability of survival increasing birds spent more time in reserve. matrix population models used , conclusion such low survival probabilities cannot sustain long-term viable populations. these results call caution in harvesting of woodcock populations wintering in western france , forewarning of decline.

in united kingdom, surveys being conducted improve knowledge of number of breeding eurasian woodcock , structure of habitat. isotope analysis of feathers eurasian woodcock shot in uk being performed establish origins of birds.

gastronomy

eurasian woodcock considered @ best culinary purposes october december. after shooting, birds hung 4–8 days tenderise; meat can eaten starter, savoury, or breakfast. bird serves 1 person. not gutted before cooking; head, skinned eyes removed, left on , beak used truss bird.

a recipe roast woodcock featured in mrs beeton s book of household management, despite name, victorian dish named scotch woodcock consists of scrambled eggs on toast anchovies.

bingley wrote [in united kingdom] few birds in esteem table these , although reported woodcock meat not eaten in sweden or norway thought unwholesome, eggs taken , sold in great numbers in stockholm , gothenburg. in nicolas freeling s kitchen book narrates lavish dinner described in kipling s sea constables, features woodcock savoury, , explains woodcock has no gall, , not cleaned [...] creamy inside parts spread on toast [...] no edwardian gentleman have resisted 1 minute.

folklore , culture

eurasian woodcock stamp germany

in united kingdom, arrival of migrant woodcock in autumn said mean harvest, if stayed until spring. used thought eurasian woodcock flew moon during months when not seen , first full moon in november, when large numbers arrive on british coast, described woodcock moon .

reaney , wilson wrote english surname woodcock developed nickname bird, meaning fool, simpleton or dupe .

in william shakespeare s play love s labours lost, berowne describes himself , friends 4 woodcocks in dish , after discovering have fallen in love when have sworn not to. old folk name goldcrest woodcock pilot because of mistaken belief warblers rode in feathers of migrating woodcock. in hamlet, polonius refers hamlet s vows springes catch woodcocks .

the pin feather of eurasian woodcock (the covert feather of outermost primary) can used fine paintbrush miniatures, or delicate tool moving tiny objects (e.g. specks of dust). painting tool, feather has been described far ideal, holding little paint, resisting water , wearing down @ tip. eurasian woodcock has been subject of postage stamps several countries.