Class II. MALLARD. 595 



certain annual rent, from five pounds to twenty- 

 pounds a year: and we have heard of one in So- 

 merfetjbire that pays thirty. The former contri- 

 bute principally to fupply the markets of London. 

 Amazing numbers of ducks, wigeons, and teal are 

 taken : by an account fent us of the number 

 caught, a few winters pad, in one feaibn, and in 

 only ten decoys, in the neighborhood of JVainpM^ 

 it appeared to amount to thirty-one thoufand two 

 hundred, in which is included feveral other fpecies 

 of ducks •, it is alio to be obferved, that in the a- 

 bove particular, wigeon and teal are reckoned 

 but as one, and confequently fell but at half the 

 price of the ducks. This quantity makes them fo 

 cheap on the fpot, that we have been allured feve- 

 ral decay-men would be glad to contract for years 

 to deliver their ducks at B oft on for ten-pence the 

 couple. The account of the numbers here men- 

 tioned, relates only to thofe that were fent to the 

 Capital. 



It was cuftomary formerly to have in the fens an 

 annual driving of the young ducks before they took 

 wing. Numbers of people affembled, who beat 

 a vaft tract, and forced the birds into a net pla- 

 ced at the fpot where the fport was to terminate. 

 A hundred and fifty dozens have been taken at 

 once : but this practice being fuppofed to be de- 

 trimental, has been abolifhed by act of parlement. 



Vol. II. R r Anas 



