82 NATURAL HISTORY OF THE PHEASANT 



methods were needless, and could serve no practical 

 end : ' they are both of equall vertue and goodnesse, 

 and have indeed each of them their distinct times 

 and seasons for their severall imployments ; for you 

 shall here understand that those Lime-roddes or the 

 use of Lime is onelye for the winter season, as from 

 the beginning of Novemb. at which time every tree 

 hath shed his leafe, and every byrd is content to 

 pearch upon the twigs, which are the very figures and 

 Emblems of Lime-twigs, until the beginning of May, 

 at which time on the contrary part every Tree is 

 budded and doth begin to spread and open his leafe, 

 so as all birdes may couch and hide themselves under 

 the covert and shaddowes of the same, and the true 

 use of the Nets are from the beginning of May when 

 Trees are leaved, until the latter end of October when 

 every tree doth shed and loose his leafe, so there is no 

 time ofthe year more then the very timeof ingendring, 

 but may be exercised in this pleasure, whence what 

 profit may arise I leave to be judged by those which 

 keep good Houses, and such as have good stomacks.' 

 Another mediseval method of sport, upon which 

 we have not yet touched, is that of shooting pheasants 

 with the cross-bow. I have a strong impression that 

 the Italians used to shoot at roosting pheasants with 

 the bow on bright moonlight nights. Whether I am 



