CrassIl. RUFF SANDPIPER. 
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 atime. 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 visita place called Murtin-Mere, in Lancashire, the 
latter end of March or beginning of Apri/, but do not continue 
there above three weeks. 
75 
