Of vvilde and tame Fowles. Cap. 9.
ORder requireth that I speake somewhat of the Fowles also of Englande, which I may easily deuide into the wilde and tame, but alas such is my small skill in Fowles, that to say the truth I cā neyther recite their nombers nor well distinguishe one kinde of them from an other. Yet thys I haue by generall knowledge, that there is no nation vnder the sunne which hath in time of ye yere more plentie of wild Fowle then we, for so many kindes as our Iland doth bring forth: We haue therfore the Crane, the Bitter, the wilde and tame Swanne, the Bustarde, the Hieron, the Curlew, the Snite, the Wilde∣goose, Dotcrel, Brant, Larke, Plouer, Lap∣wing, Téele, Wigeon, Mallard, Sheldrake, Shoueler, Pewet, Seamewe, Barnacle, Quaile, Woodcocke, Partrich and Feasant, besides diuers other, whose names to •…•…e are vtterly vnknowne, and much more the taste of theyr flesh wherewt I was neuer acquain∣ted. But as these serue not at al seasons, so in theyr seuerall turnes, there is no plentye of them wanting, wherby the tables of the No∣bilitie and Gentrie should séeme to be dayly vnfurnyshed. But of all these the production of none is more maruellous then that of the Barnacle, whose place of generatiō we haue fought oft times so farre as the Orchades, where as peraduēture we myght haue found the same nearer home, and not onely vppon the coastes of Ireland, but euen in our owne riuers. If I shoulde saye howe either these or some such other Fowle not muche vnlyke vnto them doe bréede yéerely in the Thames mouth, I doe not thincke that many will be∣leue me,* 1.1 yet such a thing is there to be séene, where a kinde of Fowle hath hys beginning vpon a short tender shrubbe standing vppon the shore from whēce when theyr time com∣meth they fall downe either into the salt wa∣ter and liue, or vpon the dry land and perish, as Pena the French Herbarien hath also no∣ted in the very ende of hys Her•…•…all. As for Egretes, Pawperes and such like, they are daily brought vnto vs from beyonde the sea, as if all the Fowle of our countrey could not su•…•…fice to satisfie our delicate appetites. Our tame Fowle are such for the most parte as are common both to vs and to other Coun∣treys, as Cockes, H•…•…rnes, Géese, Duckes, Pecockes of Inde, blew Pecocks, Pigeons and such lyke whereof there is great plenty in euery Fermours year•…•…. They are kepte there also to be solde eyther for ready money in the open markestes, or else to be spent at home in good company amongst theyr neigh∣bours wythout reprehension or •…•…n•…•…s. Ney∣ther are we so miserable in England (a thing only graunted vnto vs by the especiall grace of God and liberty of our Princes) as to dine or suppe wyth a quarter of a Hen, or to make so great a repast with a cocks combe as they doe in some other Countreys: but if occasion serue the whole carcases of many Capo•…•…s, Hennes, Pigeons and such lyke doe oft goe to wracke, beside Béefe, Mutton, Veale and Lambe: all which at euery feast are taken for necessary dishes amongst the comminal∣tye of England. The gelding of Cockes, where by Capons are made, is an auncient practise brought in of olde time by the Ro∣maines when they dwelt here in thys lande: but the gelding of Turkies or Indish Pea∣cockes is a newer deuise: and certainely not vsed amisse, sith the rancknes of that byrde is very much abated therby, and the tast of the flesh in sundry wise amended. If I should say that ga•…•…s growe also to be gelded, I sup∣pose that no man will beleue me, neyther haue I taste•…•… a•…•… any tyme of such a fowle so serued, yet haue I heard it more then once to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vsed in the Countrey, where theyr Géese are driuen to the fielde like herdes of cattell by a Gooseheard, a toy also •…•…le•…•… to be mer∣uailed at then the other. For as it is rare to heare of a gelded gander, so it is straunge to me, to sée or heare of Géese to be ledde to the field lyke shéepe: yet so it is, and theyr Gose∣herd caryeth a cattle of paper or parchement wyth hym when he goeth about in the mor∣ning to gather the Goslings together, the noyse whereof commeth no sooner to their eares, then they fall to gaggling, and has••••n to goe wyth hym. If it happen that the gates be not yet open, or that none of the house be stirring, it is ridiculous to sée how they will péepe vnder the dores, and neuer leaue cry∣ing and gagling til they be let out vnto him to ouer take theyr fellowes. I might héere