2 62 
THE KING’S CORMORANTS. 
chose bien meruielleuse a voir. Sur toate chose estoit les 
sages discours de sa Ma te tres admirable .” 
The King had a regular establishment for his cormorants 
on the river at Westminster, and created a new office, 
“ Master of the Royal Cormorants,” which office was first 
held by John Wood, as appears from various documents 
in the Record Office. Amongst other entries, for a know¬ 
ledge of which I am indebted to Mr. F. H. Salvin, the 
distinguished falconer, are the following :— 
No. i, James I., 1611, April n.—To John Wood, the 
sum of £$o, in respect he hath been at extraordinary 
charge in bringing up and training of certain fowls called 
cormorants, and making of them fit for the use of fishing, 
to be taken to him of His Majesty’s free gift and reward. 
By writ, dated the 5 th day of April, 1611. 
“ No. 2, May 27th, 1612.—Payment to the said John 
Wood for getting cormorants from the north. 
“No. 3, August 31st, 1618.—James I. to Robert Wood. 
Advance of £66 13^. 4 d., in part payment of the sum of 
£2 86 due in respect of the cormorant houses, and making 
nine ponds, &c., at Westminster, the ground called the 
Vine-garden having been taken upon lease of the Lord 
Danvers. 
[“ In this document,” says Mr. Salvin, “ this Wood is 
described as keeper of His Majesty’s cormorants, ospreys, 
and otters. It is therefore clear that the fishing-hawk was 
