OLD-WORLD FOWLING 71 



the Lime-bush, or else with other particular Engines, 

 of which there are divers kinds and do carry divers 

 shapes, according to the seasons of the year when 

 they are used, and the manner of the place in which 

 they must be used, as shall be at large declared here- 

 after.' He next discusses ' the nature of the Phea- 

 sant : ' ' for the taking of the Pheasant with Nettes, 

 it is to be done either generally or particularly : 

 Generally, as when you take the whole eye of 

 Pheasants, that is to say, the old, the young, and 

 altogether, the old Cock, the old Henne, and all their 

 poots as they flock and runne together in the thick 

 and obscure woods ; or particularly when you take 

 none but the old Pheasants, or such young Pheasants 

 as are come to the age of coupling and payring, so as 

 you can have no hope with your Nettes to strike at 

 more then (sic) one Pheasant or two at the most at 

 one instant or fixed time, for these kind of birds are 

 of a melancholy, sadde and sullen disposition, and 

 after once they be coupled and paired together, doe 

 no more keep in flocks, or companies together, 'but 

 live separated and asunder from other paires.' 



We are next instructed as to ' the generall taking 

 of Pheasants with netts : ' ' \Vhen therefore you shall 

 intend to put in practise this generall way of taking 

 i)f Pheasants with netts, which (as before I said) is to 



