halfpenny token of John Finch of Halstead, who was probably a maltster, as the other side of his token bore the representation of a MALT-SCOOP. The BIRD IN HAND occurs five times in Essex, namely, at Braintree, Halstead (twice), Coggeshall, and *Stratford. There are also beer-houses so called at Goldhanger and Chelmsford. Mr. G. F. Beaumont of Coggeshall states that the *BIRD IN HAND at that place was formerly known as the THOROUGH Inn, because there was a right of way or thoroughfare through it from Earl Street to Church Street. He also mentions, as a curious coincidence, that a short time since the name of the tenant was Joseph _Bird_, and that of the owner Richard _Bird_ Holmes. The same gentleman contributes to the _Coggeshall Almanac_ for the present year an interesting “Programme of a Procession, exhibited by the Weavers of Coggeshall, on Wednesday, the 15th of June, 1791,” and which was to “set out precisely at eight o’clock from the BIRD IN HAND.” The idea of the sign is suggested by the proverb-- “A bird in hand is better far, Than two that in the bushes are.” The device is to be seen on some of the trade tokens of the seventeenth century. The sign of the FEATHERS at Hatfield Broad Oak is clearly identical with that of the PLUME OF FEATHERS at Loughton; indeed, the former appears in Mr. Creed’s list (p. 7) as having been the PLUME OF FEATHERS in 1789. The house at Loughton is also mentioned in the same list, so that both are at least a hundred years old. Both, of course, now at least represent the badge of our Princes of Wales. Ostrich feathers have been among the devices of our kings and princes from very early times; and the pretty tale of how the Black Prince took them from the King of Bohemia, whom he killed in the battle of Creci, is a pure delusion. As the Rev. H. L. Elliot points out, “Single feathers, differenced in various ways, were used as badges by the kings and the Beauforts before the Wars of the Roses. Henry VI. used two feathers in saltire, the sinister argent, surmounted of the dexter or, as here depicted, as one of his badges.” [Illustration: PLUME OF FEATHERS. (_Badge of the Prince of Wales._)] [Illustration: THE FEATHERS. (_Badge of Henry VI._)] Twenty years since a house at Stanstead bore the sign of the BELL AND FEATHERS, which is a combination not mentioned by Larwood and Hotten. It was probably merely an impaled sign, as it was formerly the BELL simply, and has now returned to its old name, under which it will be hereafter referred to. The sign of the PHŒNIX now only occurs at Rainham, though there was another example at Billericay forty years since. The sign was formerly often set up by chemists, but other tradesmen also used it. The fact that a phœnix forms the crest of the Blacksmiths’ Company (p. 32) has, perhaps, had something to do with bringing the bird into favour as a sign. This completes our list of ornithological signs. [Illustration] CHAPTER V.