Powter

"There is a great deal of trouble, time, and expence, requisite for breeding and . rearing of young powters, for they require a vast deal of attendance, as every single bird, cocks as well as hens, must be parted during the winter season, and placed in a separate pen or coop, each of them must be supplied with meat and water, and care taken that the coop be lofty and spacious, that they may not get an ill habit of stooping, which is so great an imperfection, that it must be prevented by all possible means;"

"I dare say, Mr Wauverley, ye never kend that a' the eggs that were sae weel roasted at supper in the Ha'-house were aye turned by our Davie; — there's no the like o' him ony gate for powtering wi' his fingers amang the het peat-ashes, and roasting eggs."