INTRODUCTION. XIX 



The subject of " Ancient Methods of Capturing- Wild-fowl" has 

 been compiled from the oldest and most reliable sources ; and, in 

 some respects, from authorities of great antiquity, and books of ex- 

 treme rarity ; some of which appear to have hitherto escaped the 

 researches of the most diligent ornithologists and sporting 1 biblio- 

 graphers. 



The latter portion of the work, which is devoted to the subject of 

 "Wild-fowling in Foreign Countries," is not the result of the 

 author's individual experience, but has been carefully traced, after 

 diligent researches in books of travel, history, and philosophy : a 

 task which, though laborious, has been an agreeable one, because 

 considerably facilitated through the ready access which the author 

 has had to the British Museum and other public and private 

 libraries. 



Those who are familiar with the migratory habits of wild-fowl, 

 and who have travelled in Northern Europe, and seen the myriads of 

 aquatic birds which inhabit those quarters, and in winter are driven 

 southward by the severity of frost, will bear me out in the opinion 

 that there must be wild-fowl annually visiting "our shores, in greater 

 or less numbers according to the temperature of the season. 



An old-fashioned winter will assuredly bring* with it old-fashioned 

 sport j in proof of which, we have only to refer as far back as the 

 season of 1846-7, which is long subsequent to the drainage of the 

 great Bedford Level j* and we find the wild-fowl shooter enjoying 

 sport to his heart's content. In that winter, the London market was 

 so abundantly supplied, that wild-ducks were sold at two shillings 

 per pair, and snipes at four-pence each : and in Devonshire, snipes 

 were so numerous as to be sold at one halfpenny each.f During the 

 same winter, to my own knowledge, wild-ducks were sold in the 

 provinces, at one shilling and sixpence, and widgeon at one shilling 

 per pair. 



In severe winters, the markets are always crowded with wild-fowl : 



* Vide Well's " History of the Fens :" A. n. 1830. 

 t Hewitt's "Year Book of the Country." 



