so) of this _Royal-Sport_; and then have done: _Come not to the Pitt
without Money in your Breeches, and a Judgment of Matches_; +Done+ and
+Done+ is _Cock-Pitt_ +Law+, and if you venture beyond your Pocket, you
must look well to it, or you may loose an Eye by the Battle.
Thus much for _Cock-Fighting_.
Of Fowling.
This is a Recreation so full of _Variety_; that it would take up a great
many _Words_ and _Time_ to discover it; but varying indeed from this
Design, I shall not dilate on its several parts, but as succinctly as
may be, give you some methodical _Instructions_, as may make a man
capable of the _Active_ as well as _Passive_ part of this Pleasure, and
without the one he cannot have the other.
Now then the _Ingenious Fowler_, like a Politick and sagacious Warrior,
must first furnish and store himself with those several Stratagems and
Engines, as suit with the diversities of _Occasion_ (_i. e. Time_,)
_Place_, and _Game_; or else he cannot expect the _Conquest_.
And first of _Nets_, which must be made of the best pack-thread, and for
taking _Great Fowl_, the Meshes must be large, two Inches at least from
point to point, the larger the better; (provided the Fowle creep not
through;) two Fathom _deep_, and six in _Length_, is the best and most
manageable Proportion; Verged with strong Cord on each side, and
extended with long Poles at each end made on purpose. But for small
_Water-Fowle_; Let your Nets be of the smallest and strongest
Pack-thread, the Meshes so big, as for the great Fowle, about two or
three foot deep: Line these on both sides with false Nets, every Mesh a
foot and half Square. For the _Day-Net_, it must be made of fine
Pack-thread, the Mesh an inch square, three Fathom long, and one broad,
and extended on Poles according to its Length, as aforesaid.
_Birdlime_ is the next, and thus made. Pill the _Bark of Holly_ from the
Tree at _Midsummer_, fill a Vessel, and put to it running Water; boile
it over the fire till the _Grey_ and _White Bark_ rise from the _Green_;
take it off the fire, draine the Water well away, and seperate the
Barks; and take the Green, lay it on some moist floor and close place,
and cover it with _Hemblocks_, _Docks_, _Thistles_, and all manner of
Weeds; let it lye a fortnight, and in that time it will rot, and turn to
a filthy slimy Substance: Then put it into a Morter, beat it till you
perceive not what it was; take it out and wash it soundly at some
running stream, till the Foulness is gone: Then put it in a close
Earthen pot; let it stand four or five dayes, look to its Purging, and
scum it: When clean, put it into another Earthen Pot, and keep it close
for Use.
Your _Setting-Dog_ comes next, and sayes you must _Elect_ and _Train_
him thus: He must be of exquisite Scent, and love naturally to hunt
Feathers. The _Land-Spaniel_ is best, being of good nimble size, and
couragious mettle, which you may know by his Breed; being of a good
Ranger, _&c._
Having chosen your Dog, begin to _instruct_ him at half a Year old.
First make him familiar and acquainted well with your self above others,
by feeding him your self, alwayes going abroad with you, and correcting
him with _Words_ not Blows. So that he will follow none but you,
distinguish your Frowns from smiles, rough from smooth Words.
The first Lesson is, to make him _Crouch and lie down_ close to the
ground; and this is done by frequent laying him on the ground and crying
_Lye close_; upon his doing well reward him with Bread; and on the
contrary chastise him with Words, not Blows.
Next, To _creep to you with his Body and Head close upon the ground_, by
saying, _Come nearer, Come nearer_, or the like Words; to understand and
do it, entice him with shewing him Bread, or the like: Thrusting down
any rising part of his Body or head, and roughly threatning him; if he
slight that, a good Jerk or two with a slash of Whip-cord will reclaim
his Obstinacy. Repeat his Lessons, and incourage his well doing. And
this you may exercise in the Fields as you walk, calling him from his
busie Ranging to his _Duty_. And then teach him to follow you close at
the heels in a Line or string, without straining.
By this time he is a year old, now (the season fit) into the Field, and
let him _range_, [obediently.] If he wantonly babble or causelesly open,
correct him by biting soundly the Roots of his Ears, or Lashing. Assoon
as you find he approaches the Haunt of the _Partridge_, known by his
Whining, and willing, but not daring, to open, speak and bid him, _Take
heed_: If notwithstanding this he rush in and _Spring_ the _Partridge_,
or opens, and so they escape, correct him severely. Then cast him off to
another Haunt of a _Covie_, and if he mends his Error, and you take any
by drawing your Net over them swiftly, reward them with the Heads,
Necks, and Pinions.
As for the _Water-Dog_, the Instructions above for the _Setter_ will
serve; only to fetch and bring by loosing a Glove, or the like, is every
mans common Observation, and therefore shall here for Brevities sake
omit; only keep a strict Subjection in him, and Observance to your
Commands.
I shall say something too of the _Fowling-Piece_ and _Stalking-Horse_,
and then to your sports. The longest _Barrel is the best Fowling-Peice_,
five and half, or six foot long, with an indifferent Bore, under an
_Harquebuse_; and shooting with the Wind, and side-wayes, or behind the
Fowl, not in their faces, is to be observed; having your Dog in Command
not to stir till you have shot.
A _Stalking-Horse_ for shelter, to avoid being seen by the shie Fowle,
is an old Jade trained on purpose; but this being rare and troublesome,
have recourse to Art, to take Canvas, stuft and painted in the shape of
a Horse grazing, and so light that you may carry him on one hand (not
too bigg:) Others do make them in the shape of _Ox_, _Cow_, for Variety;
and _Stag_, _Trees_, _&c._
Thus being provided with necessary Engines for prosecuting and effecting
so cunning and pleasant a work, _Let's abroad_; and let not the
_Ale-House_, _Tavern_, or _Brothel-Houses_, debauch and benumn our
Spirits, but let us with the Fowler exhilerate our Minds, refresh our
Bodies, & for a little Pains reap a great deal of Pleasure &
Satisfaction, whet our Appetites, and get Meat too for them.
Now then according to my proposed Method, let us first examine _Where_
to find our Game? that is, The _Haunts of Fowle_, whether _Land_ or
_Water_ Fowle; by which two Characters I distinguish them, because of
their Variety and Multiplicity.
The _greater Fowle_, or those who _divide the Foot_, reside by shallow
Rivers sides, Brooks and Plashes of Water; and in low and boggy places,
and sedgie, Marish, rotten Grounds. They also delight in the dry parts
of drowned Fens, overgrown with long Reeds, Rushes and Sedges; as
likewise in half-drowned Moors, hollow Vales of Downs, Heaths, _&c._
Where obscurely they may lurk under the Shelter of Hedges, Hills,
Bushes, _&c._
The _Lesser_, or Web-footed, _Fowle_, allwayes haunt drowned Fens, as
likewise the main streams of Rivers not subject to Freeze, the deeper
and broader, the better; (tho of these the _Wild-Goose_ and _Barnacle_,
if they cannot sound the depth, and reach the Ouze, change their
Residence for shallow places, and delight in Green-Winter-Corn,
especially if the Lands ends have Water about them:) _Small Fowle_ also
frequent hugely little Brooks, Ponds, drowned Meadows, Pastures, Moors,
Plashes, Meres, Loughs, and Lakes, stored with unfrequented Islands,
Shrubs, _&c._
_How to take all manner of Fowl or Birds._
For taking the first (I mean the greater _Fowle_) with _Nets_, observe
in general this: Come two hours before their feeding hours, Morning and
Evening; and spreading your Net on the Ground smooth and flat, stake the
two lower ends firm, and let the upper ends be extended on the long
Cord; of which the further end must be fastned to the ground, three
Fathom from the Net, the stake in a direct Line with the lower Verge of
the Net; the other, ten or twelve fathoms long, have in your hand at the
aforesaid distance, and get some shelter of Art or Nature, to keep you
from the curious and shie Eye of your Game; having your Net so ready
that the least pull may do your work, Strew'd over with Grass as it lies
to hide it: A live _Herne_, or some other Fowle lately taken, according
to what you seek for, will be very requisite for a _Stale_. And you will
have sport from the Dawning, till the Sun is about an hour high; but no
longer; and from Sun-set till Twilight; these being their feeding times.
For the _small_ (Water) _Fowle_. Observe the Evening is best before
Sun-set. Stake down your Nets on each side the River half a foot within
the Water, the lower part so plumb'd as to sink no further; the upper
slantwise shoaling against, but not touching by two foot, the Water, and
the Strings which bear up this upper side fastned to small yeilding
sticks prickt in the Bank, that as the Fowle strike may ply to the Nets
to entangle them. And thus lay your Nets (as many as you please) about
twelve score one from another, as the River or Brook will afford. And
doubt not your success. To expedite it however, a _Gun_ fired three or
four times in the _Fens_ and _Plashes_, a good distance from your Nets,
will affright and post them to your Snares; and so do at the _Rivers_,
when you lay in the _Fens_. Thus much in general for _Nets_, I come next
to _Bird-Lime_.
_Winter time_ is the most proper for taking all manner of _Small Birds_,
as flocking then promiscuously together, _Larks_, _Lennets_,
_Chaffinches_, _Goldfinches_, _Yellow-Hammers_, &c. with this
_Bird-lime_, made as afore-spoken; only additionally thus ordered. Put
to a quarter of a pound of _Bird-lime_, an Ounce of fresh _Lard_, or
_Capons-grease_, and let it gently melt together over the Fire, but not
Boyl; then take a quantity of _Wheat-ears_, as you think your use shall
require, and cut the straw about a foot long besides the Ears, and from
the Ear _Lime_ the straw Six inches; the warmer it is, the less
discernable it will be: Then to the _Field_ adjacent, carrying a bag of
Chaff, and thresh'd Ears, scatter them twenty Yards wide, and stick the
_lim'd Ears_ (declining downwards) here, and there; Then traverse the
_Fields_, disturb their _Haunts_, they will repair to your Snare, and
pecking at the Ears, finding they stick to them, mount; and the _Lim'd_
straws, lapping under their Wings, dead their flight, they cannot be
disengaged, but fall and be taken they must. Do not go near them, till
they rise of their own accord, and let not five or six entangled lead
you to spoyl your Game, and incur the loss of five or six dozen.
_Barn-doors_, _Thatcht-Houses_, and such like places, are excellent too
for the use of these _Lime-straws_. _A Clap- Net_, and _Lanthorn_, in a
dark night rub'd at the Eaves of Houses, is a common practice.
_Lime-Twigs_, is another Expedient for taking of Great _Fowle_, being
Rods that are long, small, straight, and pliable, the upper part (apt to
play to and fro) being besmeared with _Bird-lime_ warm. Thus to be used,
Observe the Haunts of the _Fowle_, have a _Stale_, (a living Fowle of
the same kind you would take) and cross pricking your Rods, one into,
and another against the Wind sloping, a foot distant one from the other,
pin down your _Stale_, some distance from them, tying some small string
to him, to pull and make him flutter to allure the _Fowle_ down. If any
be caught, do not run presently upon them, their fluttering will
encrease your Game. A well taught _Spaniel_ is not amiss to retake those
that are entangled, and yet flutter away. Thus likewise for the _Water_,
consult the Rivers depth, and let your Rods be proportionable; what is
_Limed_ of them being above the Water, and a _Mallard_, &c. as a _Stale_
placed here and there, as aforesaid. You need not wait on them, but
three times a day visit them, and see your _Game_; if you miss any Rods
(therefore know their Number) some Fowle entangled is got away with it,
into some Hole, _&c._ and here your _Spaniel_ will be serviceable to
find him.
For _Small-Birds_, a _Lime-bush_ is best; thus, Cut down a great Bough
of a _Birch_, or _Willow-Tree_, trim it clean, and _Lime_ it handsomely,
within four fingers of the bottom: Place this _Bush_ so ordered, in some
quick-set, or dead _Hedge_, in _Spring_ time: In _Harvest_, or _Summer_,
in _Groves_, _Bushes_, _Hedges_, _Fruit-Trees_, _Flax_, and
_Hemp-Lands_: In _Winter_, about _Houses_, _Hovells_, _Barns_, _Stacks_,
&c. A _Bird-Call_ is here also necessary, or your own industrious skill
in the Notes of several Birds. _Lime-twigs_ are likewise used, stuck on
_Hemp-cocks_, which take vast Numbers of _Lennets_, and _Green-Birds_,
that love that _Diet_. An _Owle_ placed near your _Lime-twigs_, is
likewise an Excellent _Stale_, for being persecuted by all other
_Birds_, they flock about him, and dye with Hatred; I mean, being taken
by you, in their eager, and malicious Persecution of poor _Tom_. Some
have Natural, others Artificial _Owles_, and with either fear not
Success. And thus you may do, in any particular _Game_, with your
_Twigs_, and _Stale_ of the same kind, as, _Snipes_, _Felfares_,
_Pigeons_, &c.
And here I must not forget the _Farmers_ Advantage, to destroy his
_Corn_-destroyers, _Rooks_, but give him this Advice: Take some thick
_Brown-paper_, divide a sheet into Eight parts, and make them into the
fashion of _Sugar-Loaves_; _Lime_ them a little in the inside, and put
some _Corn_ in them (if in _Ploughing_ time, _Wormes_, and _Maggots_)
lay _Three_ or _Four Score_ up and down the Land, under (if you can)
some Clod, early, before feeding time: Be at some distance, and behold
the ensuing Sport. Your _Pigeons_, _Rooks_, _Crows_, &c. comeing to pick
out the _Corn_ or _Worms_, the _Pyramidal-snare_ hangs on their heads,
they fly straight upright, almost out of sight, and as if some _Gun_ in
the Ayr had met with them, down they come tumbling (being spent) and
become your Prey.
Thus much in general of taking all manner of _Fowle_, by _Net_, or
_Lime_, I come next to know their best Seasons, when to use them, and
the first (the _Net_) is from the beginning of _May_, to the latter end
of _October_; and the last (the _Lime_) in the _Winter_ only, beginning
from _November_, and ending at _May_, in which times, there being no
Leaves, your _Lime-Bushes_, and _Branches_ of _Trees_ are of one and the
same Hue.
And because Gentlemen who have _Fish-ponds_, wonder they loose so many
_Fish_, and are apt to Censure sometimes undeservedly their Neighbours,
when it is the insatiable _Hern_, that is the true cause: I shall next
lay down the best and most approved way of taking the great
_Fish-devouring Herne_, whose _Haunt_ having found, observe this Method
to take him. Get three or four small _Roaches_, or _Dace_, take a strong
_Hook_, (not too rank) with Wyre to it, and draw the Wyre just within
the skin, from the side of the _Gills_, to the _Taile_ of the said
_Fish_, and he will live four or five dayes, (if dead, the _Herne_ will
not touch it.) Then having a strong Line, of a dark-_Green-Silk_,
twisted with Wyre, about three yards long, tye a round stone of a pound
to it, and lay three or four such hooks, but not too deep in the Water,
out of the _Herne's_ wading; and two or three Nights will answer your
Expectation.
And here I thought to conclude this Discourse of _Fowling_, but the
young _Tyro_ or _Beginner_ in the Acquest of this Noble Art, pulls me
back again, and whispers this Question in my Ear, How to take
_Pheasants_, _Partridges_, &c. in particular, by either of the
forementioned wayes, as, _Nets_, _Lime_, _Engine_, _Driving_, or
_Setting_; because of all _Fowl_ for _Game_, these two are esteemed as
the most Gentile, and Profitable? I shall answer his Curiosity, and for
his Instruction, propose these ensuing Rules, though what I have said in
general of Great _Fowl_ might suffice.
_The severall wayes of taking _Pheasants_._
For to take _Pheasants_ with _Nets_, first find their _Haunts_, or
_Coverts_, which are generally in thick, young, well-grown _Copses_,
solitary and untraced by Men or Cattle, and not in Old High _Woods_; and
never in open _Fields_. Which having assured knowledge of, the next
thing is to find out the _Eye_, or _Brood_ of _Pheasants_, wich
according to the best Experience is thus. You must learn and understand
the several Notes of a Natural _Pheasant-Call_, and how usefully to
apply them. In the Morning just before, or at _Sun-rising_, call them to
feed, and so at _Sun-setting_: In the _Forenoon_, and _Afternoon_, your
Note must be to Cluck them together to _Brood_, or to chide them for
straggling, or to notify some danger at hand.
Thus skilled in their _Notes_, and by the Darkness, Solitaryness, and
strong undergrowth of the place assured of their _Haunts_, closely lodge
your self, and softly at first call; lest being near you, a loud _Note_
affright them; and no Reply made, raise your _Note_ gradually, to the
highest; and if there be a _Pheasant_ in hearing, he will answer you,
in as loud a _Note_. Be sure it be Tunable. As soon as you are answered,
creep nearer to it; if far off, and a single _Fowl_, as you call, and
approach, so will the _Pheasant_. Having gotten sight of her, on the
_Ground_, or _Perch_, cease calling, and with all silence possible,
spread your _Net_ conveniently, between the _Pheasant_, and you, one end
of the _Net_ fastned to the _Ground_, and the other end, hold by a long
Line in your hand, by which you may pull it together, if strained; then
call again, and as you see the _Pheasant_ come under your _Net_, rise
and shew your self, and affrighting her, she will mount, and so is
taken. Thus if on the contrary you have divers _Answers_, from several
_Corners_ of the _Coppice_, and you keep your place and not stir, they
will come to your Call, and then having a pair of _Nets_, spread one on
each side, and do as before. Your _Nets_ must be made of _Green_ or
_Black_ double-twin'd _Thread_, the _Mesh_ about an inch square, between
_Knot_, and _Knot_, the whole _Net_ about three _Fathom_ long, and Seven
_Foot_ broad, verged with strong small Cord on each side and ends, to
lye hollow and compass-wise.
The next way of taking _Pheasant-Powts_, is by _Driving_ thus. Having
found the _Haunt_ of an _Eye of Pheasants_, known by the _Barrenness_ of
the place, _Mutings_ and loose Feathers, then in the little Pads and
Wayes, like Sheep-tracks, they have made, place your Nets (taking the
wind with you) a-cross these Paths, hollow, loose and circularly, the
nether part fixt to the ground, and the upper side hollow, _&c._ as
aforesaid: Then to their _Haunt_, and there _call_ them together,
if scattered; then with a _Driver_, an Instrument like that of
_Cloath-dressers_, rake gently the Bushes and Boughs about you, the
_Powts_ will run, and stop and listen; then give a nother rake, and so
you will drive them like sheep into your Nets: Observe in this
_Secrecy_, _Time_ and _Leisure_, or you spoyl your sport; _Secrecy_ in
concealing your self from being seen by them; and _Time_ and _Leisure_,
by not being too hasty.
Lastly for taking _Pheasants_ with the _Lime-Bush_, or Rods, order
these, as I have before prescribed; your Rods about twelve Inches long,
and your Bush containing not above eight Twigs, with a pretty long
Handle, sharpned to stick in the Ground, or Bushes, Shrubs, _&c._ and
let it be planted as near the _Pheasants pearching Branch_, as may be.
Place your Rods on the Ground, near the Bush; which will help the Bush;
for when some are taken below by the Rods, they will scare up the others
to get on the Bushes to seek what's become of their Fellows, and there
become your Prey themselves. Thus provided, keep close not to be
discovered; out with your Call, and use it _Skilfully_ and well, and you
need not fear Game. Number the Rods you planted, and if any be missing,
some _Pheasant_ is crept away with it, and here let your Spaniel be
employed to serve you in finding out the last sanctuary of the poor
_Pheasant_, thus shunning his inevitable Captivity and Death.
_For taking Partridge._
As in all the foregoing Sports, the _Place_ where to find them is our
first Enquiry, so here (as you did of the _Pheasant_) you must first
find the _Partridges Haunt_. Which is mostly in standing-Corn-Fields,
where they breed; as likewise in Stubble after the Corn is cut,
especially Wheat-stubble till it is trodden, and then they repair to
Barley-Stubble, if fresh; and the Furrows amongst the Clots, Brambles
and long Grass, are sometimes their lurking places, for Twenty and
upward in a Covy. In the _Winter_ in up-land Meadows, in the dead Grass
or Fog under Hedges, among Mole-Hills; or under the Roots of Trees,
_&c._ Various and uncertain are their _Haunts_. And tho some by the
_Eye_, by distinguishing their Colour from the ground, others by the
_Ear_, by hearing the Cock call earnestly the Hen, and the Hens
answering, and chattering with Joy at meeting, do find _Partridge_; yet
the best, easiest and safest way of finding them is (as you do the
_Pheasant_) by the Call or Pipe; applying your Notes seasonable, as
before prescribed, and they will come near to you, and you may count
their Numbers, and to your sport.
Surround your Covy, prepare your Nets, and pricking a stick fast in the
ground, tye the one end to it, and let your Nets fall as you walk
briskly round without stopping, and cover the _Partridge_; then rush in
upon them to frighten them, and as they rise they are taken.
For taking them with _Bird-Lime_, thus. Call first near the _Haunt_; if
answered, stick about your _Lime-Straws_ (of which I have spoken before)
a-cross in ranks two or three Lands, at some distance from you; then
call again, and as they approach you, they are intercepted by the
Straws; and to your Prey. This way is used most successfully in
Stubble-Fields, from _August_ to _September_: And Rods in Woods,
Pastures, _&c._ as for the _Pheasant_.
But lastly, above all (to omit all others) the most pleasant way of
taking Partridge is with a _Setting-Dog_ (of which I have spoken before
and refer you thither) who having set them, (known by the already
mentioned signs) use your Net, as you have heard just now: And by these
Rules and Method, the _Railes_, _Quailes_, _Moorpootes_, _&c._ are to be
taken; and are for _Hawks_ flight too. And here I must make an end of
the most material part of _Fowling_.
For as for treating of all manner of _Singing Birds_, their _Taking_,
which in general hath been before observed, their _Preserving_ and
_Keeping_, their _Natural Breeding_ and _Feeding_, is a Work of such
common Observation, and so differing from the Design of this Treatise of
_Violent_ and _Brisk Exercises_, that omitting it altogether here, shall
refer you to the Venders of them, whom you may meet with in every
Street, and furnish your self at easy rates; and are indeed but _Voces &
praeterea Nihil_.
Thus much for _Fowling_.
Of Fishing.