78 PHEASANTS 



of cavalier days praises the pheasant 

 without stint : — 



'Tis not the meat but 'tis the appetite 



Makes eating a delight, 



And if I like one dish 



More than another, that a pheasant is. 



Thus the household account books of 

 the middle ages are full of references to 

 pheasants and the hawks used for their 

 capture, of which the following may serve 

 as examples : — 



1490. Privy expenses of Princess Elizabeth of 

 York. Under xiii daye of Nov^e. 



Itili. — the same day to Richard Mylner 

 of Byndfeld for bringing a present 

 of fesauntes cokkes to the Queene at 

 Westminster vs. 



1512. Household Book of 5th Earl of Northumber- 

 land. 



Item. — Fessauntis for my Ld's ovvne Meas 

 to be hadde at Principalle Festis and 

 to be at xijd. a piece. 



1536. Household Book. L'Estranges of Hun- 

 stanton. 



Itm gewen to Hunte, yeoman of the 

 pultry, bringing two qwicke phesaunts 

 to my lady''s grace . . . . vijs. vjd. 



