THE GULL. 
411 
usually happens on the third of June, when the proprietor of 
the poole orders them to be driven and catch’ d, the gentry 
comeing in from all parts to see the sport ; the manner thus. 
They pitch a rabbit-net on the banke side, in the most con- 
venient place over against the hafts, the net in the middle 
being about ten yards from the side, but close at the ends in 
the manner of a bow ; then six or seven men wade into the 
poole beyond the Pewits, over against the net, with long 
staves, and drive them from the hafts ; whence they all 
swim to the bank side, and landing, run like Lapwings into 
the net, where people standing ready, take them up, and put 
them into two penns made within the bow of the net, which 
are built round, about three yards diameter, and a yard 
high, or somewhat better, with small stakes driven into the 
ground in a circle, and interwoven with broom and other 
raddles ; in which manner there have been taken of them in 
one morning, fifty dozens at a driving, which, at 5s. per 
dozen, (the ancient price for them,) comes to 12 1 . 12s. ; but 
at several drifts that have been anciently made in the same 
morning, there have been as many taken as have been sold for 
30L So that some years the profit of them has amounted 
to fifty or threescore pounds, besides what the generous pro- 
prietor usually presents his relations, and the nobility and 
gentry of the county withall, which he constantly does in a 
plentifull manner, sending them to their houses in crates 
alive, so that feeding them with livers and other entrals of 
beasts, they may kill them at what distance of time they 
please, according as occasions present themselves, they being 
accounted a good dish at the most plentifull tables. 
“ But they commonly appoint three days of driving them, 
within fourteen days, or thereabout, of the second or third 
of June ; which, while they are doing, some have observed a 
certain old one that seems to be somewhat more concerned 
than the rest, being clamorous, and striking down upon 
the very heads of the men, which has given ground of sus- 
picion that they have some government amongst them, and 
that this is their prince, that is so much concerned for its 
subjects. 
