2l8 PARTRIDGE-NETTING. 



partridge-netting was, perhaps, as much in vogue in 

 Shakespeare's day as now. 



In Much Ado about Nothing, allusion is again made to 

 the partridge by Beatrice, who, referring to the ill-humour 

 of Benedick, says, 



" He '11 but break a comparison or two on me ; which, 

 peradventure, not marked or not laughed at, strikes him 

 into melancholy ; and then there 's a partridge wing saved, 

 for the fool will eat no supper that night." Much Ado 

 about Nothing, Act ii. Sc. i . 



As we speak of a " covey " of partridges, so we say a 

 " bevy " of quails : 



"And many more of the same bevy." 



Hamlet, Act v. Sc. 2. 



It was formerly the practice to keep Quails, and make 

 them fight like game-cocks. Solon directed that quails 

 should be made to fight in the presence of the Athenian 

 youths, in order to inflame their courage, and the Romans 

 held quail-fighting in still higher estimation. Augustus 

 punished a prefect of Egypt with death for buying and 

 bringing to table a quail which had acquired celebrity by 

 its victories.* 



Shakespeare was doubtless alluding to this sport when 

 he wrote: 



.. * Vide Julius Pollux, " De ludis," lib. ix. 



