Class II. RUFF SANDPIPER. 75 



four birds at the first hawl, and in all six dozen 

 that morning. When the stales are set, seldom 

 more than two or three are taken at a time. A 

 fowler will take forty or fifty dozen in a season. 

 These birds are found in Lincolnshire, the 

 Isle of Ely, and in the east riding of Yorkshire,* 

 where they are taken in nets, and fattened for 

 the table, with bread and milk, hemp seed, and 

 sometimes boiled wheat ; but if expedition is 

 required, sugar is added, which will make them 

 in a fortnight's time a lump of fat : they then 

 sell for two shillings or half a crown a-piece. 

 Judgment is required in taking the proper time 

 for killing them, when they are at the highest 

 pitch of fatness, for if that is neglected, the 

 birds are apt to fall away. The method of 

 killing them is by cutting off their head with a 

 pair of scissars : the quantity of blood that 

 issues is very great, considering the size of the 

 bird. They are dressed like the woodcock, 

 with their intestines ; and, when killed at the 

 critical time, say the Epicures, are reckoned 

 the most delicious of all morsels. 



* They visit a place called Martin-Mere, in Lancashire, the 

 latter end oi March or beginning of April, but do not continue 

 there above three weeks. 



