partridge-netting was, perhaps, as much in vogue in Shakespeare’s day as now.
PARTRIDGE-NETTING.
In Much Ado about Nothing, allusion is again made to the partridge by Beatrice, who, referring to the ill-humour of Benedick, says,—
“He’ll but break a comparison or two on me; which, peradventure, not marked or not laughed at, strikes him into melancholy; and then there’s a partridge wing saved, for the fool will eat no supper that night.”—Much Ado about Nothing, Act ii. Sc. 1.
As we speak of a “covey” of partridges, so we say a “bevy” of quails:—
“And many more of the same bevy.”
Hamlet, Act v. Sc. 2.
THE QUAIL.
It was formerly the practice to keep Quails, and make them fight like game-cocks. Solon directed that quails should be made to fight in the presence of the Athenian youths, in order to inflame their courage, and the Romans held quail-fighting in still higher estimation. Augustus punished a prefect of Egypt with death for buying and bringing to table a quail which had acquired celebrity by its victories.[124]
Shakespeare was doubtless alluding to this sport when he wrote:—