350 HISTORY OF 



plover, also in the same manner. When these 

 birds are brought from under the net, they are 

 not killed immediately, but fattened for the table 

 with bread and milk, hemp-seed, and sometimes 

 boiled wheat ; but if expedition be wanted, sugar 

 is added, which will make them a lump of fat in 

 a fortnights time. They are kept, as observed 

 before, in a dark room ; and judgment is required 

 in taking the proper time for killing them, when 

 they are at the highest pitch of fatness ; for if 

 that is neglected, the birds are apt to fall away. 

 They are reckoned a very great delicacy : they 

 sell for two shillings, or half a crown a piece ; 

 and are served up to the table with the train, 

 like woodcocks, where we will leave them. 



CHAPTER XI. 



OF THE WATER-HEN AND THE COOT. 



BEFORE we enter upon water fowls, properly so 

 called, two or three birds claim our attention, 

 which seem to form the shade between the web- 

 footed tribe and those of the crane kind. These 

 partake rather of the form than the habits of the 

 crane ; and, though furnished with long legs and 

 necks, rather swim than wade. They cannot 

 properly be called web-footed ; nor yet are they 

 entirely destitute of membranes, which fringe their 

 toes on each side, and adapt them for swimming. 



