14 THE ESSEX NATURALIST.
"(afraid it seems of Spring-tides) which signifieth nothing as to
"securing their Eggs from the Inundation, but is an Argument
"of their great Affection. Being young they consist onely of
"Bones, Feathers and Leanflesh which hath a raw gust of the
"Sea. But Poulterers take them then, and feed them with
"Gravel and Curds (that is Physick and Food), the one to
"scour, the other to fat them in a fortnight, and their flesh thus
"recruted is most delicious."
There can be no doubt that the foregoing refers to Puit
Island in Hamford Water as does the next item, which is taken
from The Diary of Henry Teonge, etc., 1675-1679, published in
1825.
"8 July 1678. This day I went with our Captaine on shoare
"to Puett Island, where we tooke above 10 douzen of young
"puetts."
"9 July, 1678. This morning the new ship called the
"Restouracion, a 2d rate, cam from the towne (Harwich) (having
"saluted the towne with 7 guns) and anchored between the
"towne and Langor Fort."
Miller Christy, when examining documents among the State
Papers (Domestic Series) belonging to the reign of Charles II.,
preserved at the Record Office, found the following letter, which
I repeat in its original form:—
"Harwch, Octobr 20th, 1666.
"My deere friend,
"I have writt three severall Letters to you, of wch I have
"had noe Answere of the Rect of any of them, wch makes me
"Doute of your non helthe.
"For Newes, I have Not any, onely yesterday heere lighted
"upon the Rope house one the Greene a Mighty Greate Eagell.
"from whence she Cam is Not. knowne. she was kild by one
"of the Carpenters belonging to his Mats yard heere. her wings
"are 7 foote od inches long, one of her Clawse being upwards
"of nine inches long. 'tis imagined yt she Cam from beyond
"the Sease, from sum far Cuntry, and was Extreame weary,
"having one shot made at her, and budged not; but, at the
"second shott she was killed.
"Mr. Readman acquainted me yt hee deliver ye small token