112 EARLY ANNALS OF ORNITHOLOGY 
contains eighteen clauses, and its composition is of a very 
stringent character. To begin with, it puts the penalty 
for destroying a Swan’s nest, or killing a Swan as high 
as five pounds, nor was anyone to be allowed to set 
nets or snares, or shoot with a hand-gun or crossbow 
on the river in the summer, or even cut reeds within forty 
feet of a Swan’s nest, so precious were they held to be. 
Another roll of about 1541 forbids any unauthorised person 
even to carry a swan-hook (which was a crook used for catching 
the cygnets)* ; while by a third ordinance it is enacted that 
any man, whosoever he be, that killeth any Swan with dog 
or spaniel shall forfeit to the King forty shillings. t 
Norfolk institutions also possessed their Swans and 
swan-rolls, of which various curious particulars, collected 
by Stevenson, are given in that author's “ Birds of Norfolk.’’£ 
I have lately had an opportunity of examining one of these 
swan-rolls, which has long been in the family of Blofeld, of 
Hoveton Broad. It is on vellum and is in good condition. 
Together with another roll, of somewhat less interest, it was 
exhibited to the Society of Antiquaries by Mr. William Mint, 
in whose opinion its date may be approximately fixed at about 
1530, which is earlier than the Witham roll.§ Mr. Mint finds 
fifty-seven distinct beak marks, clearly executed and with 
owner’s names, and this is inclusive of five priories and two 
monasteries, viz., St. Olive’s, Carrowe, Hyngham, Bromerton, 
Norwich, Langley and St. Bennet’s. The Swan’s heads are 
drawn as if looked at from above, as in the Witham roll. 
Another parchment roll (or rolls) of 1566, with about three 
hundred Swan’s heads depicted on them, each one with a 
distinctive mark, was knocked down at Dawson Turner’s 
sale of MSS. for £2 5s., and is no doubt the same alluded 
to by Stevenson as containing swan-marks used on the rivers 
Waveney and Yare.|| It is now in the British Museum.§ 
A few other swan-rolls are mentioned by Stevenson, but these 
relics of antiquity appear in some cases to have been sold or 
stolen, or at any rate to be not forthcoming. 
* “ Archaeological Journal,’’ 1850, p. 302. 
t Idem, 1847, p. 428. 
¢ Vol. III., pp. 102-111. 
§ “Proce. Soc. Antiquaries, 1905,” Vol. XX. 
|| “ Birds of Norfolk,’’ Vol. III., p. 110, note. 
q Add. MS. 23732. 
