138 EARLY ANNALS OF ORNITHOLOGY 
a breeding-place in the neighbourhood, but Gulls from the 
seashore were undoubtedly sometimes eaten.* 
Hawking at Hunstanton.—That hawking was freely prac- 
tised on the lands appertaining to Hunstanton Hall we have 
abundant evidence, nor does it look as if this was done for 
the entertainment of le Straunge and his frequent visitors, so 
much as for the more prosaic purpose of filling the larder. Be 
this as it may, in nearly every case it seems that the Goshawk 
was the species carried in the chase. It is specified by name 
at least sixteen times, and we shall not be wrong in conelud- 
ing that it was generally the Goshawk which is intended by 
the entry “hawk” without a qualifying adjective. It goes 
without saying that much attention would have to be given 
to these valuable food providers, and accordingly it is not 
surprising to meet with such a payment as sawing for “ ye 
dow house ende [pigeon cote] & board for ye hawk mewe.” 
The mewe was generally some handy outhouse, in which 
the hawks could be kept clean and free from draughts. In 
1519 there is an entry of ten shillings paid to John Maston 
for mewing & keeping of the Goshawks from Chrostyde 
[September i4th] unto the XVth day of November,f a liberal 
consideration for two months’ care. 
Without doubt the Goshawk (especially a large female) 
was the prime favourite in most country establishments of 
this date. Their value to the family at Hunstanton Hall is 
abundantly demonstrated, not only by the game which they 
killed, but by the price paid when a fresh hawk was required. 
Thus a new Goshawk, delivered in August 1533 (p. 550), cost 
le Straunge forty shillings, and another in 1541 nearly as much, 
and forty shillings, be it remembered, was a good round sum 
in the days when coins were few. Although said not to be always 
tractable in the training, yet to a country mansion such as 
Hunstanton Hall, the Goshawk, which acted as general provider, 
was more suited than the long-winged Peregrine, or the high- 
priced Gyr. Especially was the Goshawk, which has great 
* Doctor Muffett (1595) says: ‘‘ White Guls, Grey Guls, and Black Guls 
(commonly termed by the name of Plungers ancl Water Crows) are rejected 
of every man as a fishy meat; nevertheless being fed at home with new 
curds and good corn till they be fat, you shall seldom taste of a lighter or 
better meat. .. ve 
+ P. 421. 
