The next way of taking Pheasant-Powts, is by Driving thus. Having found the Haunt of an Eye of Pheasants, known by the Barrenness of the place, Mutings and loose Feathers, then in the little Pads and Wayes, like Sheep-tracks, they have made, place your Nets (taking the wind with you) a-cross these Paths, hollow, loose and circularly, the nether part fixt to the ground, and the upper side hollow, &c. as aforesaid: Then to their Haunt, and there call them together, if scattered; then with a Driver, an Instrument like that of Cloath-dressers, rake gently the Bushes and Boughs about you, the Powts will run, and stop and listen; then give a nother rake, and so you will drive them like sheep into your Nets: Observe in this Secrecy, Time and Leisure, or you spoyl your sport; Secrecy in concealing your self from being seen by them; and Time and Leisure, by not being too hasty.
Lastly for taking Pheasants with the Lime-Bush, or Rods, order these, as I have before prescribed; your Rods about twelve Inches long, and your Bush containing not above eight Twigs, with a pretty long Handle, sharpned to stick in the Ground, or Bushes, Shrubs, &c. and let it be planted as near the Pheasants pearching Branch, as may be. Place your Rods on the Ground, near the Bush; which will help the Bush; for when some are taken below by the Rods, they will scare up the others to get on the Bushes to seek what’s become of their Fellows, and there become your Prey themselves. Thus provided, keep close not to be discovered; out with your Call, and use it Skilfully and well, and you need not fear Game. Number the Rods you planted, and if any be missing, some Pheasant is crept away with it, and here let your Spaniel be employed to serve you in finding out the last sanctuary of the poor Pheasant, thus shunning his inevitable Captivity and Death.
For taking Partridge.
As in all the foregoing Sports, the Place where to find them is our first Enquiry, so here (as you did of the Pheasant) you must first find the Partridges Haunt. Which is mostly in standing-Corn-Fields, where they breed; as likewise in Stubble after the Corn is cut, especially Wheat-stubble till it is trodden, and then they repair to Barley-Stubble, if fresh; and the Furrows amongst the Clots, Brambles and long Grass, are sometimes their lurking places, for Twenty and upward in a Covy. In the Winter in up-land Meadows, in the dead Grass or Fog under Hedges, among Mole-Hills; or under the Roots of Trees, &c. Various and uncertain are their Haunts. And tho some by the Eye, by distinguishing their Colour from the ground, others by the Ear, by hearing the Cock call earnestly the Hen, and the Hens answering, and chattering with Joy at meeting, do find Partridge; yet the best, easiest and safest way of finding them is (as you do the Pheasant) by the Call or Pipe; applying your Notes seasonable, as before prescribed, and they will come near to you, and you may count their Numbers, and to your sport.
Surround your Covy, prepare your Nets, and pricking a stick fast in the ground, tye the one end to it, and let your Nets fall as you walk briskly round without stopping, and cover the Partridge; then rush in upon them to frighten them, and as they rise they are taken.
For taking them with Bird-Lime, thus. Call first near the Haunt; if answered, stick about your Lime-Straws (of which I have spoken before) a-cross in ranks two or three Lands, at some distance from you; then call again, and as they approach you, they are intercepted by the Straws; and to your Prey. This way is used most successfully in Stubble-Fields, from August to September: And Rods in Woods, Pastures, &c. as for the Pheasant.
But lastly, above all (to omit all others) the most pleasant way of taking Partridge is with a Setting-Dog (of which I have spoken before and refer you thither) who having set them, (known by the already mentioned signs) use your Net, as you have heard just now: And by these Rules and Method, the Railes, Quailes, Moorpootes, &c. are to be taken; and are for Hawks flight too. And here I must make an end of the most material part of Fowling.
For as for treating of all manner of Singing Birds, their Taking, which in general hath been before observed, their Preserving and Keeping, their Natural Breeding and Feeding, is a Work of such common Observation, and so differing from the Design of this Treatise of Violent and Brisk Exercises, that omitting it altogether here, shall refer you to the Venders of them, whom you may meet with in every Street, and furnish your self at easy rates; and are indeed but Voces & præterea Nihil.
Thus much for Fowling.
