WILD-FOWL SHOOTING IN THE FENS. 291 



tions into larg-e estuaries, and tlius making- natural and excellent 

 resorts for water-fowl. 



Art has long- since changed the current of these tributary streams 

 and estuaries, so that scarcely a trace can now be found of the 

 original woi'ks of nature. 



These extensive tracts of land, in their wild and uncultivated state, 

 abounded with game, were studded with lakes, and afforded admira- 

 ble scope for the sports of the field.* Such a country, as mig-ht be 

 expected, was far better adapted to these pursuits than the regular 

 operations of husbandry. The opportunities it afforded for enjo3ang 

 the pleasures of hunting-, fowling, and fishing- were unrivalled. f 



" Til' abundance then is seen, that my full fens do yield, 

 That almost through the isle, do pester every field. "J 



Whittlesea Meer and Ramsey Meer were two of the largest pools 

 in the fens ; the former was especially celebrated for its great variety 

 of water-fowl and abundance of fish. 



It was strong-ly urged at the time of the proposal for draining- the 

 Lincolnshire fens, that the scheme, when carried out, woidd drive 

 away the feathered and finny occupants of the meers, and spoil 

 both the fowlers' and fishers' sport. A bold standing- in behalf of 

 these two classes was made, in opposition to the promoters of the 

 undertaking-; when the defence was, that there were many meers 

 and lakes which would be left in their original state ; that the fish 

 and fowl preferred rivers and channels to wide-spreading waters, 

 and that the additional number of such receptacles would tend to the 

 g-reater preservation and increase of fish and fowl, rather than the 

 extermination of them.§ 



Previous to the drainage and cultivation of the fens, Lincolnshire 

 was termed the aviary of Eng-land for wild-fowl ;|| and that county, 

 conjointly with Cambridg-eshire, was the best of all for fen-bird shoot- 



* Well's History of the Drainage of the Feus, p. 55. 



t Ihid, p. 423. 



% Drayton. 



§ " As for the decoy of fish and fowl, which hath been no small objectn. agst. this 

 public work, there is not much likeliliood thereof ; for, notwitlistandiug this general 

 draining, there are so many great meers and lakes still continuing, which be indeed 

 the princii^al harbours for them, that there will be no want of either ; for in the vast 

 spreading waters they seldom abide, the rivers, channels, and meers being their 

 principal receptacles ; which being now increased, wiU rather augment than 

 diminish their store." — Bwjddlc on Embanking : a.d. 1772. 



II Fuller's Worthies of England, by Nuttall. 



