(Vol. iv., p. 208.)
The 8 Eliz. c. 15. and 14 Eliz. c. 11. provide that in every parish the
churchwardens with six other parishioners shall yearly on one of the
holydays in Easter week, and at every other time when needful, tax and
assess every land and tithe-owner within the parish to pay such sums of
money as they shall think meet according to the quantity of such their
lands or tithes, and on nonpayment thereof within fourteen days after
demand to forfeit five shillings, which, together with the sum assessed
shall be levied by distress on the goods and chattels of such land or
tithe-owner; and as well the said sums as penalties shall be delivered
to two honest and substantial persons of the parish eligible by the
churchwardens, to be named "The distribution of the provisions for the
destruction of noisome fowl and vermin." Such is the authority required
by J. B. (Manchester), by which churchwardens in old times paid sums of
money for the destruction of vermin in the several parishes of England.
It will, however, be observed that their authority was not confined to
"vermin," but extended to the "fowls of the air;" and the "old volumes
of churchwardens' accounts," to which your correspondent has access,
amply testify to the fact that those churchwardens were fully alive to
their duty, powers, and authority, under the above-named statutes;
inasmuch as two, at least, of the _ancient names_ belong to the
_feathered tribe_; _glead_ being identical with _kite_, and _ringteal_
or _ringtail_ (_subbuteo_) with a species of _hawk_, in some districts
more commonly called the _hobby_. _Greas' head_ I must leave to some
other _head_ to determine, unless indeed is meant the _great-shrike_ or
_butcher-bird_ belonging to the same order (_accipitres_) as the _kite_
and _ringtail_ or _hobby_. Notwithstanding J. B.'s diffidence, I am much
inclined to adopt his surmise, that the worthy churchwarden really
intended _badger_ when he wrote _baggar_.