ii8 WILD-FOWL AND SEA-FOWL OF GREAT BRITAIN 



along either to or from his fishing quarters, would 

 be astonished if they saw the bird's full powers of 

 flight brought into play. I have seen him ring up 

 until he looked no larger than a Rook. 



In olden times Gyr-Falcons were used for flying at 

 the larger fowl. For this reason : they were then, as 

 they are at the present time, the most powerful and 

 determined birds of the whole family ; deadly footers, 

 which means that when they strike they either kill 

 their quarry or terribly disable it. As provender for 

 the table as well as sport was a consideration, the Gyrs 

 answered the purpose they were used for admirably. 



But the Heron requires a lot of killing ; and not 

 only that, he is a brave bird, fighting to the last, 

 all the time there is life in him ; I am well acquainted 

 with that forcible fact. I will give you one sketch 

 of Heron-hawking, not of the past but of recent 

 times, for the grand sport has been carried on within 

 a few miles of us. Falconry has never really died 

 out in this country, it has always been practised 

 by a few gentlemen at various times, in places 

 suitable for it. We need not state that open country 

 is imperatively necessary for the sport. 



Here he comes, with measured beats of his broad 

 wings, which send him through the air at far greater 

 speed than they appear to do. He is going home 

 with his crop full of fish. All at once his keen eyes 

 see a group of men below him, some on horseback 

 and some on foot. He swerves in his flight, but it 

 is too late for him now. A cast of falcons are 

 hooded off with a whoop ! — grand Peregrines, " Juno" 



