FORMER NESTING OF THE SPOONBILL IN SUSSEX. 429 
between the years 1529 and 1532, the following entry occurs in 
November, 1531 :— 
“Tim. the x daye of Novembr, paied to a s’vnt of 
my lorde Cobhams, in rewarde for bringing of 
Shovelards to the King’s grace. ; . liijs. vitid.” 
For this sum the man may perhaps have brought nine birds, for 
we learn from another source that the value of a “Shovelard” in 
those days was sixpence. In the Earl of Northumberland’s House- 
hold Book, which contains entries made between the years 1512 
and 1525, the following occurs :— 
“Ttem. Sholardes to be hadde for my Lordes owne Mees at 
Pryncipall Feestes, and to be at vjd. a pece.” 
Not only was the bird eaten “at pryncipall feestes” in those 
days, but during the breeding season it was protected by Statute 
like other wild fow). 
In 1534 an Act of Parliament was passed entitled “ An Act to 
avoide distruction of Wilde fowle,” whereby, amongst other things, 
it was enacted that between the first day of March and the last day 
of June, “no maner of person or persons shall presume by day 
or by night, willyngly to withdrawe, purloyne, take, distroye or 
convey any maner of egges of any kinde of wildfowle, from or in 
any nette, place or places, where they shall chaunce to be laide by 
any kinde of the same wildfowle, upon peine of imprisonment for 
one yere, and to lese and forfait for every egge of any Crane or 
Bustarde, so distroied, purloined, withdrawne, conveide, or taken 
from any nest or place xx. pence, and for every egge of every 
Bittour, Heronne or Shouwelarde viiid., and for every egge of 
every Malarde, Tele, or other wildfowle, one penie.” 
An attempt has been made by recent legislation to afford the 
Spoonbill that protection during the breeding season which was 
formerly accorded to it by ancient statute; but it is feared that 
this protection has come almost too late. So long an interval has 
elapsed since any nest of this bird has been seen in England, and 
so many changes in the progress of agriculture have affected its 
former haunts, that the most ardent ornithologist can scarcely hope 
to see this fine bird re-established in its old position, and breeding 
in our heronries. On this account any record of its former nesting 
‘in this country is worth noting. 
