322 A TOPOGRAPHICAL 



ment amongst them, and that this is their prince, that is so much 

 concern'd for its subjects. And 'tis further observed, that when 

 there is great plenty of them, the lent-corn of the country is so 

 much the better, and so the cow-pastures too, by reason they pick 

 up all the worms, and the fern-flyes, which though bred in the fern, 

 yet nip and feed on the young corn and grass, and hinder their 

 growth." (See chap. vii. sees. 9, 10, 11, 12.) 



These birds are stated td have changed their settlements from 

 time to time. Their first abode, according to Plot, was at a pool 

 about half a mile s. w. of Norbury church. From whence they re- 

 moved to Offley-moss, near Woods-eves, to Aqualate, and other 

 neighbouring pools. One while they were settled at the pools 

 about Batchacre, where, according to Mr. Shaw, Mr. Whitworth 

 for many years kept a regular and most entertaining journal of all 

 their singular proceedings until their gradual departure. Plot 

 ascribes some of their transmigrations to the death of the heads of 

 the Skrymsher family, then the chief proprietors of estates about 

 their places of resort, which he terms a "strange quality. 1 " The 

 less credulous reader will probably ascribe their removals from and 

 returns to former abodes, to better feeding and more quiet and 

 abundant accommodation for laying their eggs and protecting their 

 young. 



It maybe proper here to observe, that, on the above occasions of 

 driving these birds, their young, just before they could fly, were the 

 object of game. According to the information of an aged person 

 now living, (1816), and who, in his juvenile days, was repeatedly 

 present at this annual amusement of pewit-driving, the young were 

 of a grey colour, and the old ones of a beautiful white, with black 

 heads, and the tips of their wings and tails were likewise black. 

 They were a different bird from the Lapwing, sometimes mistaken 

 for the ancient Pewit in these parts. The net placed on the bank 

 of the pool, as a snare, was about two feet high; and when the 

 young were driven and entangled therein, they were put in baskets 

 covered with nets. 



The Shebben and Pewit pools are now drained and enclosed, 

 and of course deserted by their former occupiers. The lands, arable, 

 meadow, and pasture, are mixed in due proportion throughout the 

 parish, and are well cultivated. 



ADBASTON, is a parish in Pirehill North, situate about a mile 

 and a half north-west of the village of High Offley. It contains 

 four townships, and a population of 532 persons* The Church, 



