318 FLORA HISTORICA. 



The laws which have been made in modern times 

 for the preservation of game are not more severe 

 than those instituted by our forefathers for the 

 security of their hawks. In tlie 34th of Edward 

 the Third it was made felony to steal a hawk ; and 

 to take its eggs, even in a person's own ground, 

 ivas punishable with imprisonment for a year and a 

 day, besides a fine at the king'^s pleasure: in the 

 reign of Queen Elizabeth the imprisonment was re- 

 duced to three months, but the offender was to find 

 security for his good behaviour for seven years^ or 

 to remain in prison till he could find a friend who 

 Tvould be answerable for his conduct. 



Falconry appears to have been of great antiquity 

 in the eastern parts of the globe, since our earliest 

 accounts of China notice the practice of this art in 

 that country. Marco Polo, who visited China in 

 the year 1269? tells us, that he witnessed the em- 

 peror enjoying this diversion attended by his grand 

 falconer, and a thousand subordinate persons in his 

 train ; and that the emperor often carried a hawk 

 on his hand to let fly at any game which might 

 present itself, which were usually pheasants, par- 

 tridges, cranes, or quails. 



It is generally supposed that this mode of hunt- 

 ing originated in Scythia, and that it passed from 

 thence to the northern parts of Europe. Tartary 

 is even at present celebrated for its fine breed of 



