The gentleman's recreation in four parts, viz. hunting, hawking, fowling, fishing : wherein these generous exercises are largely treated of, and the terms of art for hunting and hawking more amply enlarged than heretofore : whereto is prefixt a large sculpture, giving easie directions for blowing the horn, and other sculptures inserted proper to each recreation : with an abstract at the end of each subject of such laws as relate to the same.

Of the SKIE-LARK: The several ways to take them; and when taken, how to order them.

THere is a great difference between one Skie-lark and another; for one may not be worth two pence, when another shall be worth two pounds.

This Bird is very hardy, and will live upon any food in a manner, so that he have but once a weeks Turff of Three-leav'd-grass. As the Wood-lark hath young ones in March, the Skie-lark hath rarely any till the middle of May. They commonly build in Corr or thick high grass Meadows, and seldom have more than four: take them at a fortnight old, and at fir•••• give them minced sheeps-heart with a chopt hard Egg mingled: when they can feed alone, give them Bread Hemp-seed, and Oat-meal; let the Bread be min∣gled

with Egg, and the Hemp-seed bruised: Let them have Sand in the bottom of their Cage; Pearches there∣in are to no purpose.

As the Wood-lark is taken with Net and Hobby, so may the Skie-lark be taken also. They are taken like∣wise in dark nights with a Trammel; this Net is about six and thirty yards long, and six yards over, run through with six ribs of Pack-thread; which ribs at the ends are put upon two Poles sixteen foot long, made taper at each end, and so is carried between two men half a yard from the ground; every six steps touching the ground, to cause the Birds to fly up, otherwise you may carry the Net over them without disturbing them: hearing them fly against the Net, clap it down, and they are safe under it. This is a very murdering Net, taking all sorts of birds that it comes near, as Partridges, Quails, Woodcocks, Snipes, Felfares, and what not, almost in e∣very dark night.

The next way of taking them is with a pair of Day-nets and a Glass, which is incomparable pastime in a Frosty Morning. These Nets are commonly se∣ven Foot deep, and Fifteen long, knit with your French Mesh, and very fine Thread. These Nets take all sorts of small Birds that come within their Compass, as Bunting-larks, and Linnets in abun∣dance.

These Larks are also taken by a Low-bell, with a great light carried in a Tub both by one man, and the Net by another; this Bell and Light so amazeth them, that they lie as dead, and stir not till the Net overcast them. By this Bell are all sorts of Fowls and Birds taken, as Partridge and Pheasant; and if the Bell be loowd, or very deep, Duck, Mallard, Woodcock, and Snipe may be taken.

The last way of taking Larks is in a great Snow, by taking an hundred or two hundred yards

of Pack-thread, fastning at every six inches a Noose made with Horse-hair; two hairs are sufficient. Now since I have already described this way of taking Larks, I shall desist, and onely inform you that those Larks you intend to preserve for singing, must be taken in October or November: Chuse the straightest, largest, and loftiest Bird, and he that hath most white on his Tail, for these are the marks of the Cock. Observe in this Bird, as in all others, that you give no salt Meat, nor Bread season'd with salt.