222 BRITISH BIRDS. 



generally but 4 eggs, 3 and 5 more rarely, which are about the 

 bignes of a small Hen-egg. The Hasts or Islands are prepared 

 for them between Michaelmass and Christmass, by cutting down 

 the reeds and rushes and putting them aside in the nooks and 

 corners of the hasts, and in the valleys to make them level ; 

 for should they be permitted to rot on the Islands, the Pewits 

 would not endure them. 



" After three weeks sitting the young ones are hatch' t, 

 and about a month after are almost ready to flye, which 

 usually happens on the third of June, when the Proprietor 

 of the poole orders them to be driven and catch'd, the Gentry 

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

 They pitch a Rabbit-net on the bank-side, in the most con- 

 venient place over against the hasts, the Net in the middle 

 being about ten yards from the side but close at the ends in 

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

 poole beyond the Pewits, over against the Net, with long 

 staves and drive them from the hasts, whence they all swim 

 to the bank 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 bow of the Net, which are built j 

 round, about 3 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, as in Tab. 19, 

 at the bottom whereof is represented in Sculpture, the poole, 

 and whole method of taking these Pewits ; and Norbury Manor 

 at the top, the seat of the Proprietor, a most generous 

 Encourager of this work. In which manner they have taken 

 off them in one morning 50 dozens at a driving, which at 5s. 

 per dozen (the ancient price of them) comes to twelve pounds 

 ten shillings : but at several drifts that have been anciently 

 made in the same morning, there have been as many taken as 

 have been sold for thirty pounds, so that some years the profit 

 of them has amounted to fifty or three score pounds, besides 

 what the generous Proprietor usually presents his Relations, 

 and the Nobility and Gentry of the County withall, which he 

 constantly does in a plentifull manner, sending them to their 

 houses in Crates ahve, 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 plentiful tables. 

 But they commonly appoint 3 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 



