In 1775 the country people of Freshwater, Isle of Wight, descended on a rope fastened to an iron bar driven into the ground on top of the cliff, and beat exotic birds to death with a short stick as they flew in and out. A dozen birds would yield a pound of delicate feathers, which were sold for eight-pence, whilst their carcases sold for six-pence a dozen. This article is from the Isle of Wight section of The Portsmouth Guide 1775, the first Guide to Portsmouth known to be in existence. There are a total of a six Portsmouth Guides available spanning the period between 1775 and 1930.
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