194 PLACE AND FIELD NAMES OF THE PARISH OF STAVELEY. 



of Siaifies, Middlesex, which Camden informs us is so-called from 

 the boundary stone of the jurisdiction of the city of London, and 

 no doubt it does so in this case. Even now, notwithstanding its 

 close proximity to coal pits and railways, a fox is occasionally 

 found there. 



Foxhole meadow and Foxhole nook were once favourite haunts 

 of Master Reynard. 



Many fields bearing the title coneygree, a rabbit warren, testify 

 to the presence of the'^e little creatures in large numbers. 



Dog croft and Cow close are plain enough, but the derivation of 

 Ox rail is somewhat difficult. The word rail is used in two or 

 three different ways ; but the most likely one in this case is that 

 given by Halliwell, who has, " rail — to stray abroad : perhaps 

 from the older word reile, to roll." It probably means simply a 

 pasture or enclosure for oxen, where they could be at large, as 

 there are other fields called Great rail. Little rail, Kay rail, and 

 Dezvis rail. 



Raile is used by Chaucer, Spenser, and others, as meaning " to 

 spring, gush forth, or blow," so that Well rail may mean either 

 the well enclosure, or the well spring. 



Toad pool is a piece of wet, boggy ground ; a very likely spot for 

 the dwelling of the much maligned toad. 



Mere is the Anglo-Saxon word for lake or marsh, and, as we 

 should expect, Shallow meer and Croivniere are damp, low-lying 

 lands, which are frequently flooded. 



Not far from Crowmere is Crow-nest hill ; besides which we 

 have Hawk lane, Cuckoo piece, and Snipe meadoiv. 



This last was formerly the appellation of a meadow near to 

 Stubbing Wood. Snipe are still to be found in the Rother 

 Hallows, and other marshy spots in the neighbourhood. In the 

 latter part of the last century, when that enthusiastic sportsman, 

 the Rev. Francis Gisborne, was rector of Staveley, many of these 

 birds fell to his gun. 



Many of our fields derive their names from trees and plants. 

 There are three fields called The Bushes, several Oak closes and 

 Broom closes, Gorsey close, Elm-tice breck, Crab-tree piece, Bush 



