282 THE HISTORY OF NEWMARKET. [Book XL 



large lark ; they are, for the most part, of a colour inclining 

 in brown upon the back, and under the belly nearly white. 

 Towards the evening, on going back to Newmarket, his high- 

 ness paid his compliments to the king and the duke, and 

 returning home, supped alone, at an early hour. 



" The following day, the 9th, the sky appeared lowring 

 and cloudy, and threatened rain which would prevent the 

 horse-races that were to take place on that day ; but at sun- 

 rise, the clouds partly dispersed, and the king went into the 

 country, and his highness along with him, to renew the 

 diversion of hare hunting ; the great pleasure of which in this 

 plain country, is, that being entirely free from trees it leaves 

 to the huntsman the full enjoyment of seeing the animals 

 without interruption, and observing their subtle flight, and 

 frequent deceptions in turning and doubling round and round, 

 passing frequently by the same place, and retracing their 

 steps. After enjoying this recreation, his highness returned 

 at mid-day, and before going to his own quarters, went to 

 those of the king, and the tables being prepared beforehand, 

 there dined with my Lord James, Duke of Ormond, steward 

 of his majesty's household ; my Lord George, Duke of 



mimic the action of the fowler, by stretching out a wing when the other 

 extended his arm, continuing his imitation, regardless of the net that was 

 spreading for him. To follow this sport of catching them, Willoughby 

 states, six or seven persons go in company ; when they have found the 

 birds, they set their net in an advantageous place, and each of them 

 holding a stone in either hand, get behind the birds, and striking the 

 stones often one against another, rouse them from their natural sluggish- 

 ness, and by degrees drive them into the net — a process which has been 

 long disused. 



In the Comedy, "The Old Couple," by Thomas May (London, 1658, 

 4to), Barnet says to Euphues— " He is just caught as Dotterels used to 

 be : the lady first advanc'd towards him, stretch'd forth her wing, and he 

 met her with all expressions ; and is caught as fast in her lime-twigs, as 

 he can be, until the church confirm it." — See earlier references to the 

 matter in Ben Jonson's " Devil is an Ass," and Beaumont and Fletcher's 

 " Sea Voyage." 



When Sir Nicholas Bacon entertained Queen Elizabeth at Gorhamby 

 House, Hertfordshire, in May, 1577, among the viands provided for the 

 royal banquet, fourteen dotterels were purchased at a cost of 9^-. 4c/. 

 These birds probably came from Newmarket. 



