78 PHEASANTS 



of cavalier days praises the pheasant 

 without stint : — 



'Tis not the meat but 'tis the appetite 



Makes eating a dehght. 



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'^. 



Itifi. — 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 Eari of Northumber- 

 land. 



Item. — Fessauntis for my Ld's owne Meas 

 to be hadde at Principalle Festis and 

 to be at xijd. a piece. 



1536. Household Book. L'Estranges of Hun- 

 stanton. 



Itai gewen to Hunte, yeoman of the 

 pultry, bringing two qwicke phesaunts 

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



