COMMON OR WANDERING FALCON. 55 



cies. Edwards' Black Falcon of Hudson's Bay is this 

 kind in the same state of plumage. In New Jersey, it 

 has, from its noted depredations, acquired the name of 

 the Duck-Hawk along the sea-coast, where it is not un- 

 frequent. Wilson's figure represents, apparently, an old 

 bird, as the cere and feet are bright yellow : at an earlier 

 period these parts much incline to green : at this age 

 the Falcon is in its fullest vigor, and, when well trained, 

 was highly esteemed in the times when the princely 

 amusement of Falconry was in fashion. Great care 

 even was employed in selecting the young at a proper 

 age for acquiring docility. When taken too early they 

 often proved noisy and obstinate ; if removed from the 

 nest they were not to be handled, but put into another 

 artificial one. Their food was to be wild animals or 

 chickens, so as to foster their perfect and natural growth. 

 The sorrel-colored or light-brown Falcons, caught late 

 in autumn, were considered the most hopeful and easiest 

 to breed and teach ; later, the habit of freedom, and the 

 commencement of selective attachments, rendered them 

 less patient in captivity, and their fidelity could not be 

 relied upon. The dark Falcon moults in August. The 

 dispositions of these birds vary in individuals, some prove 

 indolent and cowardly, others are so fierce that they 

 can not be restrained. They no doubt, like other large 

 muscular birds, live to a great age. In the year 1793 a 

 Falcon was reported to have been caught at the Cape of 

 Good Hope, and brought to England with a golden col- 

 lar about its neck, dated 1610, and an inscription im- 

 porting that the bird belonged to King James ; therefore 

 the collar must have been on this bird 183 years ! 

 It still appeared lively, but its eyes were dim, and 

 the feathers round the collar were changed to white. 

 To show the swiftness of the Falcon, it is related, that 



