210 THE PHEASANT : 
guns were unknown in Shakespeare's day, for the old- 
fashioned “ birding-piece” was then in use, as we have 
already noticed.* But, partly in consequence of its 
inferiority and cost, and partly because its use was so 
little understood, the majority of folks preferred to carry 
a weapon with which they were more skilled, and on 
which they could consequently place more reliance. 
Gradually, as the fowling-piece became more and more 
perfect, the long-bow and cross-bow were laid aside, and 
hawking became almost forgotten. 
Notwithstanding that the Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) 
must have been well-known in Shakespeare’s day, the poet 
has only once made mention of this bird. The passage 
occurs in The Winter's Tale, Act iv. Sc. 3,and runs thus :— 
“ Shepherd. My business, sir, is to the king. 
Autolycus. What advocate hast thou to him ? 
Shepherd. T know not, an’t like you. 
Clown (jokingly aside to Shepherd). Advocate’s the 
court-word for a pheasant: say you have none. 
Shepherd, None, sir; I have no pheasant, cock nor hen. 
Autolycus. How blessed are we that are not simple 
men!” 
‘ 
The precise date of the introduction of the pheasant 
into Great Britain is uncertain, but there is evidence to 
show that it was prior to the invasion of the Normans, 
* See end of Chapter V. 
