THE SPORT OF KINGS. 791 



but no the hoopoe is up again, but he has been hurt and this is his 

 last move and the next instant the chase is over and the game little 

 falcon sits on her quarry, covering it with drooping wings, her 

 mouth wide open and panting as if her little heart was bursting. 

 We had stood practically in the same place whence the chase began, 

 from start to finish and yet witnessed as pretty a sight as one could 

 well wish to see. 



Now, my little beauty, you have a well deserved feed and a good 

 rest. A pretty, affectionate and a delightful little pet, no bigger than 

 a cuckoo, and for pluck, for its size, second to none and at the same 

 time the prettiest and fastest flier of the whole family of the " Falcon- 

 idse " and easily tamed and trained. So ended a delightful day with 

 the falcons. Of course the falcon does not always catch her quarry, 

 indeed it is oftener the other way, but what does that matter, so long 

 as you have a good run and plenty of " stoops " and excitement. 

 Long live the Sport of Kings and may it once more become as popu- 

 lar as in days of yore. 



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