188 PARTRIDGE 
was likely copied into the 1695 Camden‘ as above. The 
Denton MS. (1681), which however is of little authority, 
mentions Partridges among the wildfowl of Man. A law 
published at Tynwald on 24th June 1687 enacts: ‘ That 
whosoever shall be found to destroy, annoy, or kill any of the 
Partridges either young or old that are set forth in or about 
Ballakillingan, in Kirk Christ Lezayre, or in any other 
place where they do frequent, such person or pérsons are to 
be fined in III£ to the use of the Rt. Honble. Lord of this 
Isle, and to endure a monthe’s imprisonment by way of 
corporal punishment besides.” 
In 1776 Rev. John Christian, Vicar of Marown, men- 
tions Partridge among the ‘chief wildfowl’ of that parish 
(Y. LZ. M., iii. 31). In 1835 the Game Act recites that 
‘ Partridges have become very scarce.’ 
1 Blundell’s History, though for more than two hundred years unprinted, was 
extant in a number of manuscripts, and extensively made use of by later writers 
on Man. Hesays: ‘ Neither patriges nor farkers will live there, altho’ imported, 
as was experienced by James, late Lord of Man, who of purpose brought over 
thither some out of England,’ What are ‘farkers’? Probably (as kindly pointed 
out by Mr. L. R. M. Strachan in answer to an inquiry in Wotes and Queries) 
‘ Forkers,’ 7.e, young Partridges (according to New English Dictionary a Suffolk 
word). 
2 Statutes of the Isle of Man, vol. i. p. 144 (Clause 4 of Act). Clause 5 
proceeds: ‘That forasmuch as it is observed that Kytes, Ravens, Scar Crowes, 
and Magpies are very destructive and prejudicial not only to the said 
Partridges, but also unto Lambs, Goslings, Chickens, and such like young 
brood, as the tenants and inhabitants of this Isle have oft complained of that 
they have been much annoyed by such ravenous creatures: Therefore it is 
ordered that whosoever shall shoote or kill any Kytes or Ravens shall for every 
head they bring in receive IId. a peece, and for every Scar Crow they kill receive 
jd. per head, and for every Magpie receive ob. per head, which the Moars of the 
parishes are ordered to pay them accordingly and to receive an allowance for 
the same upon their accounts. Provided that there be no fraud or cozenage 
used by those that destroy the said ravenous fowle in bringing in of young ones ; 
which is left to be ordered and redressed at ye Governor’s discretion.’ ‘Kyte’ 
is here probably a general term. The Moars were (and still are) the collectors 
of ‘ Lord's Rent’ in the several parishes. Ballakillingan, in the beautiful country 
where the northern hills meet the plain, and then as now one of the principal 
houses of the isle, was the seat of the family of Curghey, or Curphey. Ewan 
Curghey, who was in possession in 1687, had played a leading part in the 
troubled times of the Commonwealth and Restoration, and for a time had lost 
its estates. 
