ON BIRD-NETS. 371 



from cold while sketching. The whole value of the thing is, of course, its 

 reahty and truth, both of which we have here. 



On the 15th (the night before) the moon had quite withdrawn her 

 countenance, which, though often veiled, is always unchanged. 



About 2000 yards of net are set, not all in one length, but mostly four 

 or five lengths together, and in angles or curves, with guies at the extremities 

 to keep it w^ell extended, which guies are put to windward when it blows 

 hard, say one to each net. 



Mr. CresswelFs yacht, the ' Old Dutchman,' from which Castle Rising 

 can be seen in a clear day, appears in the longest sketch ; while the two 

 Hornigolds (both Henry, father and son), each armed with his " mesh- 

 cleaner,'' are about to secure the booty. The son is dressed in his ^'dimity," 

 as he calls his white canvas suit*, with bag of the same stuff, sou' -wester, 

 and boots coming well up to the hips. The men use " a picker," or iron 

 hook, about 3 inches long, to extricate the birds from the tangle in which 

 they are sometimes firmly fixed. 



The " mesh-cleaners " are bits of wood, bent into a loop, with the ends 

 rivetted together, and are used to clear the net of any sea-weed and rubbish, 

 coarse grass or samphire, that may have been washed in by an unexpected 

 high tide. In very cold weather, when the hands become what is called in 

 Norfolk "wooden," these are very useful. 



^ P. Hawker says^ in ^ Instructions to Young Sportsmen/ on shooting (p. 239) : — 

 '' N.B. — All punts and canoes for such purposes (as well as the dress of the shooter) should 

 be white, by which they become less visible on the water/'' 



Again (p. 226) : — ''^ As appearing in white is at all times necessary when on the water (except 

 in very clear moonlight nights) . . . cover an old hat with canvas_, and paint it white. ^-^ 



Again (p. 232) : — ^^ Nothing sooner shies fowl than a black hatJ^ 



