656 The Zoologist — April, 1867. 



become acquainted with the habits of these migrating birds of Egypt 

 through a translation of Plutarch, who gives a particular account 

 of them, published in the middle of the sixteenth century by Thomas 

 North." 



John Shaw (M.A. of Cambridge), who published a curious book in 

 1635, entitled ' Speculum Mundi,' tells us that "the heron or hernsaw 

 is a large fowle that liveth about waters," and that hath a marvellous 

 hatred to the hawk, which hatred is duly returned. " When they fight 

 above in the air, they labour both especially for this one thing, that 

 one may ascend and be above the other. Now, if the hawk getteth the 

 upper place he overthroweth aud vanquisheth the heron with a 

 marvellous earnest flight." 



The heron, besides affording much sport when hawked at, was con- 

 sidered, when killed, a great delicacy for the table. 



" On 18th May, 1812, the executors of Thomas Sutton, founder of 

 the London Charter House, gave a splendid feast in the Hall of the 

 Stationers' Company. For this repast were provided 32 neats' tongues, 

 40 stone of beef, 24 marrow bones, 1 lamb, 46 capons, 32 geese, 4 

 pheasants, 12 pheasants' pullets, 12 godwils, 24 rabbits, 6 heamshaws, 

 &c, Sac:' 1 —Malcolm. 



Woodcock [Scolopax rusticola). 



Lovers Labour Lost, Act iv. Scene 2. 

 Taming of the Shrew, Act i. Scene 2. 



" Shall I not find a woodcock too?" 



Much Ado About Nothing, Act v. Scene 1. 



" Four woodcocks in a dish.'' 



Love's Labour Lost, Act iv. Scene 3. 



In Shakespeare's time, as at present, the woodcock was considered 

 a great delicacy, and we find many allusions to its capture by springe 

 and gin. 



" Aye, springes to catch woodcocks." 



Hamlet, Act i. Scene 3. 



Mr. St. John, in his ' Natural History and Sport in Moray,' 

 describes a springe, with which he used to take snipe aud woodcock 

 very successfully. It was made as follows : — 



