196 BIRDS SHOT BY THE REV. FRANCIS GISBORNE. 



(47) Foumart or polecat {Musteld Putorius). Before the enclosure acts had so 

 great an alteration in the country districts, these animals were evidently very 

 numerous. They were regarded as "Virming" (vermin), and their destruction 

 was recompensed by the churchwardens at 4d. per head. The accounts at this 

 time have many entries to this effect. In 1772 there is a somewhat startling 

 one — ".(4 polecat catching in the CImrch, £0 os. 6d." They are sometimes 

 described as Filimarts. I have seen one specimen in this parish since I came 

 into residence, and watched it for some moments through a field-glass rolling on 

 the green turf like a dog upon a rug in front of the fire. 



(48) ]\j,-. Adam Staler. — He was evidently the local doctor. There is a 

 bill dated April 18, 1828, made out to one Anne Clay for liniment, 

 attendance, and dressing, amounting to 19s. lod. which was not paid until 

 Sept. 17, 1835. 



