CHAPTEE I. 



THE MARSH AND FOREST PERIODS. 



Early Features of the Country — The Hawk an acquisition to Sports- 

 men — Hawk aeries — Hawks according to Degrees — Brook 

 and other kinds of Hawking — Hawking and Hunting — A 

 Shropshire Historian's Charge against the Conqueror — Bishops 

 and their Clergy as much given to the Sport as Laymen — 

 The Rector of Madeley— The Merrie Days, &c. 



Diversified by wood and moor, by lake and sedgy 

 pool, dense flocks of wild fowl of various kinds at 

 one time afforded a profusion of winged game ; and 

 the keen eye and sharp talons of 

 tbe hawk no doubt pointed it out 

 as a desirable acquisition to tbe 

 sportsman long ere be succeeded 

 in pressing it into bis service : 

 indeed it must bave been a 

 marked advance in tbe art wben 

 be first availed bimself of its 

 instinct. Old records supply materials for judg- 



