MEDIEVAL BIRD LAWS. 29 



keeping of "Crow nets," but repealed the other 

 parts of the Act of Henry VIII. 



But it made further provisions, and this statute 

 remained in force for about three centuries, as pay- 

 ments were made for the destruction of certain birds 

 or their eggs down to the passing of the new Poor 

 Law in 1835, and as regards Sparrows to even a 

 later date. 



The Act set forth that the churchwardens by 

 virtue of their office were associated with six other 

 parishioners, who were to meet yearly on one of 

 the holy days in Easter week, and at every other time 

 when needful, tax and assess every land and tithe- 

 owner within the parish to provide a fund for pay- 

 ing for the destruction of noisome fowl and vermin. 

 The fund was placed in the hands of two distribu- 

 tors, who were authorised to make payments at a 

 fixed rate according to the Schedule of the Act. 



They were to pay for the heads of every three 

 old Crows, Choughs, Pies or Rooks, one 

 penny. 

 For the heads of every half-dozen young- 

 ones, one penny. 

 For every six unbroken eggs, one penny. 

 For every twelve Stares' (supposed to be 

 Starlings) heads, one penny. 



