338 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
for the occasion, and the prices paid for the same. Under the heading 
“ Empcio poltrie et volatilium,” we read:—‘ Et in v gallinis emptis, 
pretium capitis ijd., xd. Et in iij duodenis caponum emptis pretium xij2¢ 
iijs. ixs. Et in iiij xijis de anatibus emptis pretium xij ijs. viijd. . 
Et in diversis volatilibus in grosso per diversas vices, vs. Et in xxiiij 
gastrimargiis [sc. Woodcocks] emptis pretium capitis iijd., vjs. vijd. Et in 
duobus perdicibus emptis pretium capitis iijd. ob vjd. Et in iij malards et 
iiij teles emptis xxjd. Et in xiiij plovers emptis pretium capitis ijd., 
iijs. vjd. Et in xlvij perdicibus emptis xjs. ixd. pretium perdicis iij ob- 
Et in vij wpupis (se. Hoopoes] emptis pretium capitis ijd., xilijd. Et in xyj 
snytes emptis in grosso, xijd. Et in xx. xiji® avium, viz. owseles, thresshes, 
et feldefares, xs. Et in avibus emptis xd. Et in xxiiij snytes emptis in 
grosso xvijd. Et in v anatibus de ryver (sc. ‘ wild-ducks’ as distinguished 
from the tame birds above referred to] emptis xvijd. Lt in iij duodenis 
avium et v perdicibus emptis xxjd. Et in xxiiij perdicibus emptis de uno 
homine de Sare. pretium capitis ijd., iiijs... . . . . . . Summa.” 
The document from which this extract is taken—a curious jumble 
of Latin, French, and English—has been printed by Professor Thorold- 
Rogers at the end of the second volume of his ‘ History of Agriculture 
and Prices in England’ (pp. 643-647). If the word “ wpupis” be intended 
to apply to the Hoopoe (Upupa epops),—and I know not to what other 
species it could be applied (the price paid precluding the idea that the 
writer confounded the name “ Hooper” with “ Hoopoe”),—it is remarkable 
that these birds were so common in England in 1395, that as many 
as seven might be obtained at one time for ‘twopence apiece. The 
month of February, too, strikes one as being an unusual time of year at 
which to find them here, although a few other instances are known of their 
occurrence here in winter. They fetched the same price apparently as fowls, 
and were cheaper than woodcocks. What their gastronomic properties may 
be I am unable to say, but from what I have observed abroad of their habits 
and the nature of their food, I should not have expected to find them set 
down amongst “ the delicacies of the season.”—J. E. Harrie. 
Nesting or THE Stock Dovr.—I think the habit of nesting early in 
this bird has somewhat escaped the notice of ornithologists. About the 
second week in March they may be seen performing the prettiest aérial 
movements possible in the vicinity of their nesting-haunts. They keep 
flying round and round in circles, generally at the beginning of the flight, 
rising up perpendicularly in the air at an altitude of several feet from their 
favourite perch, smartly striking the wings together with a loud clap, which 
can be heard a considerable distance. Often by the second week in April, 
or by the beginning of the third week, the young ones are fledged, as was 
the case this spring, though one of unusual severity. The nest is generally 
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