STEWED REED BIRDS, No. 2.
111. Pick and singe them, and with a pair of scissors cut them down the back; or they may be drawn in the same way as chickens. Wash them and dry them on a clean cloth; season with pepper and salt, place a layer of birds at the bottom of your stew-pan, dredge a little flour over them, and add some lumps of butter; then put in another layer of the birds, and so on till all are in. Pour over them just enough water to keep them from burning, cover the stew-pan and let the birds cook slowly. When they are done take them up, and if the gravy is not thick enough, add a little butter rolled in flour, let it boil once and pour it over the birds.