EXTRACTS FROM ANCIENT RECORDS. 



A LTHOUGH Yorkshire does not possess evidence so definite or so 

 ** complete as that which exists for some other counties, there are 

 records extant which in some degree serve to throw light on the fauna 

 which once inhabited the district. A brief summary of the birds 

 mentioned in three of the principal documents will not be devoid of 

 interest, and therefore, with the permission of the authors of the 

 "Vertebrate Fauna of Yorkshire," I reproduce their account. 



In 1466, as Leland writes in his " Collectanea," a great feast was 

 given in the archiepiscopal palace at Cawood, on the occasion of the 

 " intronization " of " George Nevell, Archbishop of York, and Chaun- 

 celour of Englande, in the vj. yere of the raigne of Kyng Edwarde 

 the fourth " ; the goodly provision made for which included : 



Swannes, CCCC. ; Geese, MM. ; . . . . Plovers, iiii.C. ; Quayles, 

 C. dosen. ; Of the Fowles called Rees, CC. dosen. ; In Peacockes, Ciiii. ; 

 Mallardes and Teales, iiii.M. ; In Cranes, CC.iiii. ; . . . . Pigeons, 

 iiii.M. ; In Bittors, CC.iiii. ; Heronshawes, iiii.C. ; Fessauntes, CC. ; 

 Partriges, v.C. ; Woodcockes, iiii.C. ; Curlewes, C. ; Egrittes, M. 



The document next in point of age dates 1512, and is entitled" The 

 Regulations and Establishment of the Household of Henry Algernon 

 Percy, the Fifth Earl of Northumberland, at his castles of Wresill and 

 Lekinfield in Yorkshire. Begun Anno clomini M.D.XII." This 

 valuable book, usually called the " Northumberland Household Book," 

 well shows the almost regal state maintained by the Percys, and no 

 doubt other great nobles, in the time of Henry the Eighth.* 



Therein we find that while " chekyns " cost a halfpenny each and 

 " hennys " 2d. each, it was " thought good that no pluvers be bought 

 at noo Season bot oonely in Chrystynmas and princypall Feestes and 

 my Lorde to be servyde therewith and his Boordend and non other 

 and to be boght for \d. a pece or ]d. ob. at moste." Then it was thought 

 good that " my Lordes Swannys " be taken and none bought " seynge 

 that my Lorde hath Swannys inew of hys owne." Other birds were to 

 be bought for " my Lordes owne Mees," and the prices are duly set 

 forth. " Cranys " were to be at " xvjd. a pece," " Hearonsewys " at 

 " xijrf.," " Mallardes " at " i}d.," " Teyles " at " }d." " bot if so be 

 that other Wyldefowll cannot be gottyn," " Woodcockes " at " \d. 

 a pece or jd. ob. at moste," " Wypes " at " jd.," " Seegulles " " so they 



* See the Naturalist, 1906, pp. 52-56. 



