v. 515. vol. i. 111;
where gant is plainly used for gander. In the present passage, however, gaunte must have a different signification (“The gose and the gander” being mentioned v. 435), and means, I apprehend,—wild-goose: Du Cange has “Gantæ, Anseres silvestres,” &c.; and see Roquefort in v. Gans. But Nares, MS. note on Skelton, explains gaunte—gannet.
Page 64. v. 449. The route and the kowgh] The Rev. J. Mitford suggests that the right reading is “The knout and the rowgh,”—i. e. the knot and the ruff.
v. 450. The barnacle] i. e. The goose-barnacle,—concerning the production of which the most absurd fables were told and credited: some asserted that it was originally the shell-fish called barnacle, others that it grew on trees, &c.
v. 451. the wilde mallarde] i. e. the wild-drake.
Page 65. v. 452. The dyuendop] i. e. The dabchick or didapper.
v. 454. The puffin] A water-fowl with a singular bill.
v. 455. Money they shall dele, &c.] According to the ancient custom at funerals.
v. 458. the tytmose] i. e. the titmouse.
v. 460. The threstyl] Or throstle, is properly the missel-thrush: see note on v. 424. p. 129.