Part 10
_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; boil it over the Fire till the Grey and White Bark rise from the Green; take it off the Fire, drain the Water well away, and separate the Barks; and take the Green, lay it on some moist floor and close place, and cover it with 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 well; take it out and wash it at some running stream, till the Foulness is gone: Then put it in a close Earthen pot; let it stand Four or Five days, look to its Purging, and scum it: When clean, put it into another Earthen Pot, and keep it close for Use.
Your _Setting-Dog_ must be Elected and Train'd 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._
The first lesson is, to make him _Crouch and lie down_ close to the ground; its 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 encourage 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 _Covy_, and if he mends his Error, and you take any by drawing your Net over them swiftly, reward him 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 losing a Glove, or the like; keep a Strict Subjection in him, and Observance to your Commands.
The longest _Barrel is the best Fowling Piece_, Five and half, or six foot long, with an indifferent Bore, under an _Harquebuse_; and shooting with the Wind, and side-ways, 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 Fowl, 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 big:) Others do make them in the shape of _Ox_, _Cow_, for Variety; and _Stag_, _Trees_, &c.
The _great Fowl_, 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 Fens drowned Moors, hollow Vales or Downs, Heaths, _&c._ Where obscurely they may lurk under the Shelter of Hedges, Hills, Bushes, _&c._
The lesser, or Web footed, _Fowl_, always 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 Fowl 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 Fowl) 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 Fathoms from the Net, the Stake in a direct Line with the lower Verge of the Net; the other, ten or twelve fathom long, have in your hand at the aforsaid distance, and get some shelter of Art or Nature, to keep you from the curious and shy Eye of the 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 _Hern_, or some other Fowl 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) Fowl. 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 yielding sticks prickt in the Bank, that as the Fowl strike may ply to the Nets to intangle 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.
Winter time is the most proper for taking all manner of Small Birds, as flocking then promiscuosly together, _Larks_, _Lennets_, _Chaffinches_, _Goldfinches_, _Yellow-Hammers_, &c. with this _Bird-lime_, 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 discernible 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, and 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 Spoil your Game, and incur the loss of Five or Six dozen.
_Lime-Twigs_, is another Expedient for taking of great Fowl, being Rods that are long, small, strait, 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 Fowl, have a Stale, (a living Fowl 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 Fowl 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 Lim'd 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 Fowl 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.
And because Gentlemen who have Fish-ponds, wonder they lose 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 _Hern_, 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 Tail of the said Fish, and he will live four or five days, (If dead the _Hern_ will not touch it.) Then have a strong Line, of a dark Green-silk, twisted with Wyre, about three Yards long, tie 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 _Herns_ wading; and two or three Nights will answer your Expectation.
_The several wayes of taking_ Pheasants.
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 Fornoon, 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 yourself, 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 feattered; 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 another rake, and so you will drive them like sheep into your Nets: Observe in this _Secrecy_, _Time_ and _Leisure_, or you spoil 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; for when some are taken below by they 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.
_For taking Partridge._
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: 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_, a-cross in ranks at some distance from you; then call again, and as they approach you, they are intercepted by the Straws; and so 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_.
The most pleasant way of taking Partridge is with a _Setting-Dog_, who having set them, use your Net; and by these Rules and Method, the _Rails_, _Quales_, _Moorpoots_, &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_.
_Of FISHING._
It has been the Method of this whole Treatise, to divide the several distinct Heads of each Recreation into three Parts, to render the Observations and Rules the more plain and easy, for the prosecuting the Recreation we treat of.
1. _What_ it is we pursue.
2. _Where_ and _When_ to find that we would delight our selves in.
3. _With what_ proper _Mediums_ or Measures we may obtain the desired Effects of our endeavours therein.
First then, _What_ we pursue is Fish, distinguish'd according to their sundry kinds by these following Names.
The _Barbel_, _Bream_, _Bleak_, _Bulhead_, or _Millers-thumb_; _Chevin_, _Char_, _Chub_, _Carp_; _Dace_; _Dare_; _Ele_; _Flounder_; _Grayling_, _Gudgeon_, _Guiniad_; _Loach_; _Minnow_; _Pope_ or _Pike_, _Pearch_; _Rud_, _Roach_; _Sticklebag_ or _Bansticle_, _Salmon_, _Shad_, _Suant_; _Tench_, _Torcoth_, _Trout_, _Thwait_, and _Umber_. All these Alphabetically thus named are the different sorts of Fish, in taking which the Angler commonly exercises his Art. We come next, _Where_ to find them.
1. To know the Haunts and Resorts of Fish, in which they are to be usually found, is the most Material thing the Angler ought to be instructed in, lest he vainly prepare _how to take_ them, and preposterously seek _where to find_ that he prepar'd for. To prevent which you are first to understand, That as the season of the Year is, so Fish change their places: In _Summer_, some keep near the top, others the bottom of the Waters. In _Winter_, all Fish in general resort to deep Waters. But more particularly,
The _Barbel_, _Roach_, _Dace_, and _Ruff_, covet most _Sandy, Gravelly Ground_, the deepest part of the River, and the shadows of _Trees_.
_Bream_, _Pike_, and _Chub_ delight in a _Clay_, and _Owzie Ground_: The _Bream_ chooseth the middle of the River, in a gentle, not too rapid Stream: The _Pike_ preferreth still Waters, full of _Fry_, and absconding himself amongst _Bull-rushes_, _Water-docks_, or under _Bushes_, that under these shelters he may more securely surprize and seize his Prey: The _Chub_ too chooses the same Ground, large Rivers and Streams, and is rarely destitute of some Tree to cover and shade him.
_Carp_, _Tench_ and _Eel_, frequent foul muddy still Waters. The greatest _Eels_ lurk under stones, or Roots; the smallest ones are found in all sorts of Rivers or Soils: The _Carp_ is for the deepest stillest part of Pond or River, and so is the _Tench_, and both delight in green Weeds.
_Pearch_ delighteth in gentle Streams of a reasonable Depth, not too shallow; close by a hollow Bank is their common Sanctuary.
_Gudgeon_ covets Sandy, Gravelly, Gentle Streams, and smaller Rivers; not so much abounding in Brooks. He bites best in Spring, till they spawn, and a little after till _Wasp_ time.
The _Salmon_ delights in large swift Rivers, which ebb and flow; and are there plentifully to be found: As likewise Rocky and Weedy Rivers. But in the latter end of the Year he is to be found high up in the Country, in swift and violent Cataracts, coming thither to spawn.
The _Trout_ loves small swift purling Brooks or Rivers, that run upon Stones or Gravel, and in the swiftest deepest part of them, getteth behind some Stone-block and there feeds. He delights in a Point of a River where the Water comes Whirling like the Eddy, to catch what the Stream brings down, especially if he has the shade of a Tree: He hugely delights to lurk under some hollow Bank or Stone; seldom among Weeds.
_Shad_, _Thwait_, _Plaice_, _Peel_, _Mullet_, _Suant_, and _Flownder_, covet chiefly to be in or near the Salt or Brackish Waters, which ebb and flow: The last, _viz._ the _Flownder_, have been taken in fresh Rivers, as coveting Sand and Gravel, deep gentle streams, near Banks, _&c._
Lastly the _Umber_ affects Marly Clay Ground, clear and swift Streams, far from the Sea; the greatest Plenty of these Fish is found in _Darbyshire_ and _Staffordshire_.
Thus much for the Haunts of Fish; I come next to know _When_ is the most _seasonable time_ to catch them; which before I speak to, let him that would become a compleat Angler, take this Rule. That he observe narrowly what Pond or River soever he Fisheth in, whether it be slimy, muddy, stony or gravelly, whether of a swift or slow Motion; as likewise that he know the Nature of each Fish, and what Baits are most proper for every kind: Not to let his Knowledge be circumscribed to one or two particular Rivers, whither he is invited to Angle and take his Observations by the Vicinity of his House; but to let his Knowledge be _general_, and consequently his Sport will be so too. His Ignorance otherwise will oblige him to be a Spectator in another River, when his Excellency is confined to that only experienced one in or near his own Parish or House. But to proceed,
II. To understand the best _Time when_ to Angle in, We must first consider Affirmatively, when most _Seasonable_: Or, 2. Negatively, when _Unseasonable_.
1. _Seasonable_ Angling is, when the Weather is calm, serene and clear; tho' the Cool cloudy Weather in Summer is to be preferred, provided the Wind blow not too boistrously, to hinder your easy Guiding your Tools; In the hottest Months the cooler the better.
2. When a Violent shower hath disturbed the Water and mudded it, then with a Red Worm, Angle in the Stream at the Ground.
3. A little before Fish spawn, when they repair to gravelly Fords to rub and loosen their full Bellies; they bite freely.
4. From Sun-rising till eight of the Clock in the Morning, and from four in the Afternoon till night for _Carp_ and _Tench_. In _June_ and _July_, _Carps_ shew themselves on the very rim of the Water, then Fish with a Lob-worm, as you would with a Natural Fly. But be sure to keep out of sight.
5. In _March_, _April_, and _September_, and all Winter, when the Air is clear, serene and warm. And after a shower of Rain, which hath only beaten the _Gnats_, and _Flies_ into the River, without muddying. The two first mentioned Months with _May_, and part of _June_, are most proper for the _Fly_; Nine in the Morning, and Three a Clock in the Afternoon, is the best time; as likewise, when the _Gnats_ play much in a warm Evening.
6. In a _Cloudy_, and _Windy_ day, after a Moonshine clear Night, for the brightness of the Night (through fear) making them abstain from feeding, and the Gloominess of the Day emboldening and rendering them (through Hunger) sharp, and eager upon food, they bite then freely.
7. Lastly, at the opening of _Milldams_ or _Sluces_, you will find _Trouts_, &c. come forth seeking food, brought down by the Water. We come next to demonstrate the time not proper, _i.e._
2. _Unseasonable_ Angling, in short is, when the Earth is parched, and scorched with Vehement Heat, and Drought; benummed and frozen with Cold, Frost, and Snow; or refrigerated with Spring Hoar-Frosts; or blasted with the sharp, bitter, nipping, North, or East Winds: Or when blustring _Boreas_ disorders your well guiding your Tackling; or the _Sheep-shearers Washings_ glutted the Fish, and anticipated your Bait; when the withdrawing of your Sport, foretells a Storm, and advises you to some shelter; or Lastly, when the night proves Dark, and Cloudy, you need not trouble your self the next day, 'tis to no purpose, _&c._
III. For providing _Stocks_, the best time is the Winter _Solstice_, when the Sap is in the Roots of Trees, and their Leaves gone. It is improper after _January_, the Sap then ascending into the Trunk, and expending it self over all the Branches. See that your Stocks be _Taper-grown_, and your Tops of the best _Ground-Hazle_, that can be had, smooth, slender, and strait, of an Ell long, pliant and bendings and yet of a strength, that a reasonable jerk cannot break it, but it will return to its first straightness; left otherwise you endanger your Line. Keep them two full years, before you use them; having preserved them from Worm-eating, or Rotting, by thrice a year rubbing, and chaffing them well with Butter (if sweet) or Linsed or Sallet-Oyl; and if Bored, Oyl poured into the Holes, and bathed four and twenty hours in it, and then thrown out again, will exceedingly preserve them.