COMMON OR WANDERING FALCON. 57 



eel (a third less than the female) was employed to catch 

 Partridges, Blackbirds, Magpies, Jays, and small birds ; but 

 the task of the female was to engage in the noble chase 

 of the Hare, the Kite, the Crane, and other large objects. 

 This recreation, not unknown even to the Romans in the 

 early part of the Christian era, was also practised 

 throughout the East, and still continues in Persia, Tar- 

 tary, and China, where the most extravagant prices are 

 given to the Russians and other Northern nations for 

 these favorite birds, which appear to be more energetic 

 in proportion to the coldness of the climates where they 

 happen to be raised. According to Chardin, the Jer- 

 Falcon of Russia, taken to Persia, is not allowed to be 

 kept by any person less than the king, and each bird is 

 valued at the extravagant price of 1500 crowns ; if any 

 of them die on the road, the ambassador brings the head 

 and wings to his majesty, to show that he has been faith- 

 ful to his charge. 



The Falcon, long as it has been subjected to the 

 caprice of man, has never been subdued or domesticat- 

 ed ; it refuses to breed in slavery ; the species at large 

 still rove in all the freedom of their savage nature, and 

 disown the empire of man. Their ferocity is broken by 

 restraint and privation, so that they submit to perform a 

 task for the hope of an accustomed reward ; but they 

 serve from habit and necessity, and not from attachment ; 

 they remain obedient captives, but never become willing 

 domestics. 



The length of this species in Europe, is 15 to 16 inches; the 

 female is from 17 to 18. The female given by Wilson is said 

 to be 20 inches, and 3 feet 8 inches in extent of wings. Bill grey- 

 ish blue. A space around the eyes, iris, feet, and cere, yellow. 

 Upper parts blackish-brown, the scapulars and tertials barred with 

 faint ash (in the European adult of a cinereous blue, with bands of 

 a darker color.) Wings not extending to the tip of the tail (in the 



