Chapter 4

The Battle done search, and suck your Cocks wounds, and wash them well with hot _Urine_, then give him a Roll of your best Scowring, and stove him for that Night. If he be swelled, the next morning, suck and bathe his Wounds again, and pounce them with the Powder of the Herb _Robert_, thro a fine Bag; give him an handfull of Bread in warm Urine, and stove him, till the swelling be down. If he be hurt in his Eye, chew a little ground _Ivy_, and Spit the Juice in it; which is good for _Films_, _Haws_, _Warts_, &c. Or if he hath _veined_ himself in his fight, by narrow striking, or other cross blows, when you have found the hurt, bind the soft Down of Hare to it, will cure it.

When you visit your wounded _Cocks_, a month or two after you have put them to their Walks, if you find about their heads any swollen Bunches, hard and blackish at one end, then there are unsound Cores undoubtedly in them; therefore open them, and with your Thumb crush them out, suck out the Corruption, and fill the holes with fresh Butter; and that will infallibly cure them.

_Cures for Distempers incident to the Cock or Chick of the Game._

For _Lice_, being most common, I begin with; proceeding from corrupt Meat, and want of Bathing, _&c._ Take _Pepper_ beaten to Powder, mix it with warm Water, and wash them with it.

For the _Roup_; a filthy swelling on the Rump, and very contagious to the whole body, the staring and turning back of the Feathers is it Symptome. Pull away the Feathers, open and thrust out the Core, and wash the Sore with Water and Salt, or Brine.

For the _Pip_; visit the mouth, and examine what hinders your _Cocks_, _Hen_, or _Chicks_ feeding, and you'll find a white thin Scale on the Tip of the Tongue, which pull off with your Naile, and rubbing the Tongue with Salt, will cure it.

For the _Flux_; proceeding from eating too moist Meat, give them Pease-Bran scalded, will stop it.

For the _Stoppage of the Belly_, that they cannot mute; Anoint their Vents, and give them either small bits of Bread or Corn, steep'd in Urine of Man.

For the _Eyes_, I have spoken before, and refer you to that; and for other Infirmities, let Practise be your Directory.

And now I have one Word of Advice to him that is a Lover (or would be 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.