between the years 1529 and 1532, the following entry occurs in November, 1531:—
- "Itm. the X daye of Novembr, paied to a's'vnt of
my lorde Cobhams, in rewarde for bringing of
Shovelards to the King's grace... iiij s. viii d."
For this sum the man may perhaps have brought nine birds, for we learn from another source that the value of a "Shovelard" in those days was sixpence. In the Earl of Northumberland's Household Book, which contains entries made between the years 1512 and 1525, the following occurs:—
- "Item. Sholardes to be hadde for my Lordes owne Mees at
Pryncipall Feestes, and to be at vj d. a pece."
Not only was the bird eaten "at pryncipall feestes" in those days, but during the breeding season it was protected by Statute like other wild fowl.
In 1534 an Act of Parliament was passed entitled "An Act to avoide distruction of Wilde fowle," whereby, amongst other things, it was enacted that between the first day of March and the last day of June, "no maner of person or persons shall presume by day or by night, willyngly to withdrawe, purloyne, take, distroye or convey any maner of egges of any kinde of wildfowle, from or in any nette, place or places, where they shall chaunce to be laide by any kinde of the same wildfowle, upon peine of imprisonment for one yere, and to lese and forfait for every egge of any Crane or Bustarde, so distroied, purloined, withdravvne, conveide, or taken from any nest or place xx. pence, and for every egge of every Biltour, Heronne or Shouelarde viii d., and for every egge of every Malarde, Tele, or other wildfowle, one penie."
An attempt has been made by recent legislation to afford the Spoonbill that protection during the breeding season which was formerly accorded to it by ancient statute; but it is feared that this protection has come almost too late. So long an interval has elapsed since any nest of this bird has been seen in England, and so many changes in the progress of agriculture have affected its former haunts, that the most ardent ornithologist can scarcely hope to see this fine bird re-established in its old position, and breeding in our heronries. On this account any record of its former nesting in this country is worth noting.
