It was at this time that, in order to recover a lost bird, the Sire de la Brizardière, a professional necromancer, proposed beating the owner of the bird with birch-rods until he bled, and of making a charm with the blood, which was reckoned infallible.

"I'll forgive him so that he shan't forget the taste of fresh birch-rods.

Giri thus understood is a severe taskmaster, with a birch-rod in his hand to make sluggards perform their part.