12 ART AND PRACTICE OF HAWKING 



term it, "quarry," by making a dash or shot at it, technically 

 called a stoop, from some position where it can command an 

 advantage in speed and force. In many cases the bird is itself 

 so conscious of this natural aptitude for stooping in preference 

 to mere following, that it habitually places itself, when on the 

 look-out for food, at a considerable height, from which it can 

 descend with great ease and velocity upon any victim which 

 may happen to be passing beneath, using the principle of 

 gravity to increase the force of its downward flight ; and in 

 several departments of the falconer's art the trainer endeavours 

 to encourage the tendency of his hawk to mount and make the 

 most of the advantage so gained. The long-winged hawks are 

 as a rule trained to come to the lure, and not to the fist, 

 although for the sake of convenience it is sometimes found 

 advisable to make them to both practices. 



Greenland Falcon {Falco catidkans) 



Female — Length, about 23 inches; wing, 16.5; tail, 9. Male 

 — Length, about 20 inches ; wing, 14.5 ; tail, 8. 



The general colour in the adult of both sexes is white, with 

 more or less faint bars of light brownish grey on the upper 

 plumage, and spots of the same colour underneath. The young 

 birds of both sexes are considerably darker than their elders, 

 with a much larger allowance of darker grey brown on the 

 plumage both above and below. These dark patches and 

 markings become fainter and less abundant at each moult, 

 until in very old birds they almost vanish, leaving the hawk to 

 appear at a distance merely white. The bars on the back, 

 shoulders, and wings are often shaped like the two arms of an 

 anchor ; and the spots on the breast are mostly tear-shaped, 

 especially after the first moult. The legs, feet, cere, and eye- 

 lids are bluish grey in the young birds, but after the first moult 

 become yellow, strengthening in colour at each moult. 



It will be seen by reference to the remarks on comparative 

 merits of falcons (Chap. XVIIL), that in proportions this species 

 excels all the other gers. It is also the most majestic in its 

 appearance and attitudes, and the most noble in the expression 

 of its eyes and, if the term may be permitted, of its counten- 

 ance. It was not so much used in the Middle Ages as the 

 other gers, by reason of the difficulty of obtaining it, but 

 was probably the most highly valued of all. The late Lord 

 Lilford, who in quite modern times had a good deal of experi- 

 ence with this species, opined that it was an excellent flier and 



