Clyst St. George.
In further illustration of this Query, and of J. EASTWOOD'S reply (p.
389.), may be quoted:--
"That the distributers of the provision for the destruction of
noysome foule and vermine being chosen, and having money [as
before shown by me, Vol. iv., p. 389.], shall give and pay the
same money so to them delivered, to every person that shall bring
to them any heades of old crowes, choughes, pies, or rookes, taken
within the several parishes, for the heads of every three of them
a peny; and for the heads of every sixe young crowes, choughes,
pyes, or rookes, taken, as is aforesaid, a peny; and for every
sixe egges of any of them unbroken, a peny; and likewise for every
twelve stares heades, a peny. All which said heads and egges, the
said distributers in some convenient place shall keep, and shall
every moneth at the least bring foorth the same before the said
churchwardens and taxors, or three of them, and then and there to
them shall make a true account in writing, what money they have
laid forth and paid for such heads and egges, and for the heads of
such other raveinous birds and vermine, as are hereafter
mentioned, that is to say:
"For everie head of merton, haukes, fursekite,
moldkite, bussard, scag, carmerant, or ringtaile iid
For every two egges of them id
For every iron or ospraies heads iiiid
For the head of every woodwall, pie, jay, raven,
or kite id
For the head of every bird which is called the
kingsfisher id
For the head of every bulfinsh, or other birde
that devoureth the blouth of fruit id
For the heads of every foxe or gray xiid
For the head of every fichewe, polcat, wesell,
stote, faire, badger, or wildecat id
For the heads of every otter or hedghog iid
For the heads of every three rats or twelve mice id
For the heads of every moldwarpe or want, an
halfe-penie.
"All which sayd heads and egges shall be foorthwith, after such
account made in the presence of the sayd churchwardens and taxors,
or of three of them, burned, consumed, or cut in sunder."--Vid. 8
Eliz. c. 15.; 14 Eliz. c 11.; and 39 Eliz. c. 18.