262 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



1808. £ s. d. 



Jany. 23. Paid for hedgehogs, moles, Polecats, Weasels, 



and Stotes for the whole year 11 6 



1817. 



Mar. 22. Hedgehogs, weasels, stotes for the whole year 8 9 



Mr. Ellis for Sparrows 1 18 9 



Entries in the Churchwardens' Accounts appear first in 1787, 

 and continue to 1817. Many similar entries to those given 

 occur. As the various vermin are frequently entered under one 

 total, the number destroyed cannot be ascertained. Polecats are 

 included regularly until 1813, but for the remaining four years 

 are absent from the list. Weasels are of interest on account of 

 the unusual number of entries ; they appear practically through- 

 out the accounts. Only the one entry occurs for Stoats previous 

 to 1808 ; after this year entries appear commonly. Another entry 

 for Moles occurs in 1816. The prices paid for the vermin 

 are rather puzzling, as will be seen in entries given 1803-4 ; 

 but the usual price seems to have been : Polecat 4d., Stoat Id., 

 Weasel Id., Hedgehog 2d. The rate for Sparrows does not 

 appear, and the Sparrow account was evidently kept separate, 

 and total only entered in these accounts. 



ElDGMOUNT. 



1727. £ s. d. 



paid Wrn. Leighton for three duzzen of Sparrows 00 6 



paid Tho. Eow for 2 Hedgehogs 00 8 



Gave George Baker for a Pollkcats Head 00 4 



1731. 



August ye 10. paid to Larence Crips for a Wheesel ... 2 

 October ye 12. paid to Will. Whitbread for 3 hedghogs 1 8 



1732. 



Jan ye 7. Paid to Jon. Parker for a polcatt 4 



April ye 30. paid to a man for a hedghog. 



Only a few fragments of these old accounts now exist, and I 

 am only able to refer to the three years given, and but one com- 

 plete year altogether. Entries for 3 Polecats appear, 1 Weasel, 

 24 Hedgehogs. Between May, 1731-32, 39 dozen of Sparrows 

 are recorded. Rates of payment do not vary. 



