AVES— MERLIN. 433 



reddish white ; the breast and belly are of a yellowish white, with streaks 

 of rusty brown pointing downwards; the tail is long, and marked with 

 alternate dusky and pale bars ; the wings, when closed, do not reach quite 

 to the end of the tail ; the legs are yellow, and claw r s black. 



Small as it is, this bird is not inferior in courage to any of the falcon 

 tribe. It was formerly used for taking larks, partridges, and quails, which 

 it would frequently kill by a single blow, striking them on the breast, head, 

 or neck. It differs from the falcons, and all the rapacious kind, in the male 

 and femals being of the same size. 



The courage of these creatures in general was such, that no bird, not very 

 much above their own size, could terrify them ; their swiftness so great, 

 that scarce any bird could escape them ; and their docility so remarkable, 

 that they obeyed not only the commands, but the signs, of their master. 

 They remained quietly perched upon his hand till their game was flushed, 

 or else kept hovering round his head without ever leaving him but when he 

 gave permission. The common falcon is a bird of such spirit, that, like a 

 conqueror in a country, he keeps all birds in aw r e and in subjection to his 

 prowess. Where he is seen flying wild, the birds of every kind, that seem- 

 ed entirely to disregard the kite or the sparrow-hawk, fly with screams at his 

 most distant appearance. 



In order to train up a falcon, the master begins by clapping straps upon 

 his legs, which are called jesses, to which is fastened a ring with the owner's 

 name, by which, in oase he should be lost, the finder may know where to 

 bring him back. To these also are added little bells, which serve to mark 

 the place where he is seen, if lost in the chase. He is always carried on 

 the hand, and is obliged to be kept without sleeping. If he be stubborn, 

 and attempts to bite, his head is plunged in water. Thus, by hunger, 

 watching, and fatigue, he is constrained to submit to having his head cover- 

 ed by a hood or cowl, which covers his eyes. This troublesome employ- 

 ment continues often for three days and nights without ceasing. It rarely 

 happens but at the end of this, his necessities and the privation of light 

 make him lose all idea of liberty, and bring down his natural wildness. 

 His master judges of his being tamed when ha permits his head to be cover- 

 ed without resistance, and when uncovered he seizes the meat before him 

 contentedly. The repetition of these lessons by degrees insures success. 

 His wants being the chief principle of his dependence, it is endeavored to 

 increase his appetite by giving him little balls of flannel, which he greedily 

 swallows. Having thus excited the appetite, care is taken to satisfy it ; am. 

 thus gratitude attaches the bird to the man who but just before had been his 

 tormenter. 



When the first lessons have succeeded, and the bird shows signs of doci- 

 lity, he is carried out on some green, the head is uncovered, and, by flatter- 

 ing him with food at different times, he is taught to jump on the hand, and 

 to continue there. When confirmed in this habit, it is then thought time to 

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