56 BIRDS OF PREV. 



one belonging to Henry the Second, which flew after a 

 little Bustard at Fontainebleau, was caught next morn- 

 ing at Malta, and recognised by the ring which it bore. 

 When caught, a ring was put round the leg of the 

 Falcon to which was attached a label bearing the name 

 of the owner, and a small round bell was suspended from 

 the neck in order to discover the bird when wandering 

 astray in the chase. As no durable attachment could be 

 expected from a bird of so rapacious a nature, obedience 

 was obtained only by punishment and privation. At first 

 the captive was muffled by a cap thrown over the head 

 and retained for some days, during the greater part of 

 which time the Hawk was suffered to fast ; and his appe- 

 tite was even Avhetted by a cleansing dose of tow which 

 he was made to swallow rolled up in pellets for the pur- 

 pose. In a short time this severe discipline had the 

 effect of producing a passive obedience, and he became 

 accustomed to the muffle, and submitted quietly to the 

 privation of light ; if still wild, the discipline was contin- 

 ued longer, and occasionally, the head of the malcontent 

 was dipped into cold water. He soon became inured to 

 the finger of the falconer, a morsel of food being held 

 out as an inducement ; at length, he was taught, 

 after another fast, to eat his food from amongst a lure or 

 string of legs and wings of birds ; next he approached 

 the sole object of his education, and flew at the prey 

 shown to him, while retained to his keeper at the end of 

 a long string ; and, finally, he was carried out and suffered 

 to fly at large, to soar, and pounce upon his quarry from 

 on high, in all the elegance and fierceness of unrestrain- 

 ed nature. Some of these birds, like modern dogs and 

 horses, became the greatest favorites ; and as the amuse- 

 ment was restricted to the privileged ranks alone, it ex- 

 cited the admiration and envy of all. The male or Tier- 



