THE PEREGRINE FALCON. 99 



heron had its wings broken and the falconer killed it, hut the other was taken aUve, and 

 afterwards timied out before a single falcon, which struck it do-\vn in a miiuite. It has 

 been said, that if a heron were once taken by a falcon, it would never afterwards show 

 any sport by soaiing and endeavoiu-ing to escape. It was so with this one, for, as soon 

 as it saw its enemy approaching, it appeared to lose all its powers, and merely made a 

 trifling and awkward defence on the ground, where the falcon woidd speedily have killed 

 him, had not the Im'e been thi'own in her way. 



Falcom-y, which has fallen into desuetude among oui'selves, may be traced to high 

 antiquity in different parts of Europe. It is still practised by the people of Asia, and 

 by those of some part of Africa. Thevenot relates that some kmd of falcons are used 

 in the chase of the gazelle. They are so trained as to retard that animal in its course, 

 that it may be captured by the dogs. 



II -1 



