THE GULL. 411 



usually happens on the third of June, when the proprietor of 

 the poole orders them to he driven and catch'd, the gentry 

 comeing in from all parts to see the sport ; the manner thus. 

 They pitch a rahhit-net on the hanke side, in the most con- 

 venient place over against the hafts, the net in the middle 

 heing about ten yards from the side, hut close at the ends in 

 the manner of a how ; then six or seven men wade into the 

 poole heyond the Pewits, over against the net, with long 

 staves, and drive them from the hafts; whence they all 

 swim to the hank side, and landing, run like Lapwings into 

 the net, where people standing ready, take them up, and put 

 them into two penns made within the how of the net, which 

 are built round, about three yards diameter, and a yard 

 high, or somewhat better, with small stakes driven into the 

 ground in a circle, and interwoven with broom and other 

 raddles ; in which manner there have been taken of them in 

 one morning, fifty dozens at a driving, which, at 5s. per 

 dozen, (the ancient price for them,) comes to 12 L 12s. ; but 

 at several drifts that have been anciently made in the same 

 morning, there have been as many taken as have been sold for 

 301. So that some years the profit of them has amounted 

 to fifty or threescore pounds, besides what the generous pro- 

 prietor usually presents his relations, and the nobility and 

 gentry of the county with all, which he constantly does in a 

 plentifull manner, sending them to their houses in crates 

 alive, so that feeding them with livers and other entrals of 

 beasts, they may kill them at what distance of time they 

 please, according as occasions present themselves, they being 

 accounted a good dish at the most plentifull tables. 



" But they commonly appoint three days of driving them, 

 within fourteen days, or thereabout, of the second or third 

 of June ; which, while they are doing, some have observed a 

 certain old one that seems to be somewhat more concerned 

 than the rest, being clamorous, and striking down upon 

 the very heads of the men, which has given ground of sus- 

 picion that they have some government amongst them, and 

 that this is their prince, that is so much concerned for its 

 subjects. 



