134 EARLY ANNALS OF ORNITHOLOGY 
the estate, where there may not have been enough suitable 
swamps for this species. 
Partridges and Pheasants.—Partridges are mentioned a 
great many times, Pheasants not quite so often. No Pheasants 
are entered after 1549, but this can hardly be because none 
were procured. Partridges go on to 1548 and 1549, in 
which years Mr. le Strange finds repeated entries about 
them. None is stated to have been shot with the gun, 
and it is obvious that they were netted. But Partridges . 
and Pheasants were also a favourite quarry for the Hawks, 
which accounted for a good many of them in the Hunstanton 
demesne. In some places there was an idea prevalent that 
they were more savoury when killed by a Hawk than if caught 
in snares (see Willughby’s “ Ornithology,” p. 165).* At any 
rate the patrimonial estate of the le Straunges was well 
supplied with feathered game of this kind. In September 
1527 the “sparhawke ” accounts for twelve Partridges in four 
days, which would seem to imply that there was more than 
one hawking party. Again in 1530 a servant brings in twelve 
Partridges on September 17thy and here we seem to recognise 
a night’s labour with the drag-net. 
1536 may have been a good Partridge season, for in 
January 1537 Mr. le Strange finds Mathew bringing thirty- 
six Partridges on the 4th, quite a Christmas supply. No 
doubt Partridges were common, but that could hardly be 
said of Pheasants in the sixteenth century. Nevertheless 
Pheasants were to be had for the seeking, and one Towers, 
who was perhaps what we should call the gamekeeper, seems 
from time to time to have been sent in quest of them. 
This is the man who was repaid on the 12th of June for 
money which he had laid out at divers times, when he went 
to take Pheasants—whether with a hawk or with a net is not 
stated. Money again is paid in June to a servant for bringing 
three Pheasants—possibly live ones at that season of the 
year, or chicks to put in an aviary. 
The Quail only comes twice into the Accounts, which is 
somewhat surprising, as one might have expected this little 
* Because, observes Mr- Harting, the head was commonly pulled off. 
+ P. 497. 
