DRIFT OF THE FOREST

drift of the forest.Hist. A periodic examination of forest cattle by officers who drive them to

an enclosed place to determine their ownership or common status.

“Drift of  the  forest  is  nothing  else  but an  exact  view  or  examination  taken  once,  twice,  or

oftener in a year as occasion shall require, what beasts there are in the forest, to the end that the

common in the forest be not overcharged, that the beasts of foreigners that have no common there

be not permitted, and that beasts not commonable may be put out.” Termes de la Ley 185–87 (1st

Am. ed. 1812). [Blacks Law 8th]