MU. T. SOUTHWELL ON SHOOTING AT HOL1CHAM. 
379 
V. 
SHOOTING AT HOLKHAM. 
I>y Thomas Southwell, F.Z.S., Vice-President. 
Read 31st January, 1S03. 
I am indebted to tlu; Earl of Leicester for permission to lay before 
the Society the following extracts from a number of papers in 
the Holkham library, the bulk of which appear to he records 
of shooting on the Holkham and outlying estates in which a 
Mr. Ji. Wilbraham (possibly Handle Wilbraham of liode Hall, born 
1773, died 18G1) took part, and are apparently in that gentleman’s 
writing. These are chiefly interesting as records of the distinguished 
guests who formed the Holkham shooting parties at the end of the 
past century and the commencement of the present. One of the 
papers is a summary of the game killed at Holkham between 
the years 1793 and 1807, both inclusive, by which it appears that 
38,449 Cartridges, 14,727 Hares, 32,909 Kabbits, 2054 Woodcocks, 
G3G0 Pheasants, 1598 Snipe, 1G0 various (these latter for only 
four years), making a total for the fifteen years of 96,257 head. 
The large number of Woodcocks killed is interesting ; the greatest 
number, 565, were killed in 1804, 519 in 1798, and 480 in 1801 — 
these were the best years. In comparing the total number with 
the largo bags made in the present day it must be remembered 
that they were killed over dogs, with muzzle-loading, slow-shooting, 
ilint-loek guns, probably single-barrelled, ' and the Pheasants would 
doubtless be wild birds. 
* The following letter from Charles James Fox illustrates the disfavour 
with which double-barrelled fowling-pieces were regarded ou their first 
introduction : — “Pear Coke — Lord Robert and I think of being at Holkham 
on the 2nd of Nov. & to stay with you until the 9th. If any other time is 
more convenient to you in any respect, pray let me know. A gentleman — 
a neighbour of mine who was shooting with me last Wednesday had a double 
barrelled gun burst in his hand, so that double barrels are more decried here 
than ever. Wo have heard of no Woodcocks yet, but I am told you have. 
Yours afifty. C. J. Fox. St. Ann’s Hill, 17 Octr. [1802?].” 
