STEWED REED BIRDS, No. 1.
110. Pick the birds, and cut and clean them like chickens. Make a force meat of cold veal, finely chopped with a little grated ham, some powdered nutmeg and mace, and a very small portion of cloves; season the birds inside with pepper and salt, fill them with the dressing, rub them on the outside with pepper and salt, tie the legs down with a piece of thread, which must be cut off when the birds are dished. Place them in the stew-pan with a piece of butter on each and a little flour; put a little water in the bottom of the stew-pan to keep them from burning, and cover them close; when they are tender take them out, cut off the threads, and if the gravy should not be thick enough, add some butter rolled in flour. Pour the gravy over them and serve them hot.