280 BIRDS OF NORFOLK. 



The seasons of 1815-16, 1816-17, 1828-29, 1829-30, 

 and 1838-39, seem to have been of unusual scarcity; 

 while those of 1817-18, 1825-26, 1834-35, 1843-44, and 

 1849-50 have been of abundance to a greater or less 

 degree. 



In the days when " glade nets " stretched across the 

 openings, or ^' cock roads " in the woods were exten- 

 sively used for taking them during their evening flight, 

 and springes and snares were ahke fatal in their marshy 

 feeding grounds, there is no question that this species 

 was extremely abundant; and of this we have also 

 additional evidence from the small sums which they 

 formerly fetched in the market'^ allowing even for the 

 difference in the present value of money, whilst their 

 excellence as a table delicacyf was as fully appreciated 

 then as now. The causes of their diminution, how- 

 ever, must be looked for rather in other countries than 

 our own^ and whilst two such authorities as Mr. Lloyd 



* In the Duke of Buckingham's "Household Book," 1507, 

 eight woodcocks cost eightpence, and sixteen ditto sixteen-pence. 

 In the "Household Accounts" of the Lord N'oith (time of 

 Henry the VIII.), it is ordered " that woodcokes be hade for my 

 Lordes own Mees and non other, and to be at j<l- a pece or j<J- ob. 

 (l|d.) at the moste," the same price as lapwings and sea gulls, 

 whilst pheasants, bitterns, and curlews were then a shilling each, 

 spoonbills sixpence, quails and partridges twopence, and snipes 

 three for a penny. In the L'Estrange " Accounts," also, we find an 

 entry in the year 1620, of three woodcocks purchased in Snettisham 

 market for sixpence; and in 1522 of six purchased from John Long, 

 of Ingoldisthorpe, for tenpence. 



t In Willughby's " Ornithology," published by Bay (1628), 

 occurs the following passage with respect to the woodcock : — " The 

 flesh of this bird for the delicacy of its taste is in high esteem ; " 

 and with special reference to the excellence of the leg, the author 

 quotes the old " English Bhythm" — 



" If the partridge had the woodcock's thigh, 

 T'would be the best bird that ever did fly." 



