DOMESTICATED BIRDS 



185 



qualities of the hawk, and note that when well trained he flew 

 at only the designated game, and came back to the master 

 when a bit of hide or other lure was thrown into the air as 

 a signal, we may fairly believe that the creature displayed an 

 extraordinary fitness for receiving instruction. The facts are 

 the more remarkable because these hawks were not bred in 

 cages, but were taken from the wild nests ; so that there was 

 none of that gradual accumulation of inheritances under the 

 conditions of selection which have brought about the obedi- 

 ence of our really domesticated animals. 



The remarkable way in which the art of hawking has 

 disappeared from our civilization deserves more than a pass- 

 ing notice, though it appears to be inexplicable. It is evident 

 that it was a tolerably ingrained habit, at least among the 

 English-speaking people, for it has left a very deep impress 

 upon the language. There are Tar more phrases derived from 

 the custom than can be traced to any other of the sportsman's 

 arts. At least one of these collocations of words which has 

 escaped from the minds of grown people still holds a place 

 among the boys of this country. When two lads are fighting 

 we often hear the bystanders say, by the way of encourage- 

 ment to one of the contestants, " Give him jesse." The use 

 of this curious phrase prevails in all parts of the United 

 States, but after much inquiry I have failed to find a trace 

 of it preserved in England. There seems to be little doubt 

 that these words are due to a custom of beating a hawk which 

 failed to do its duty with the thongs or jesses by which it was 

 attached to the wrist of the falconer. Giving another jesse 

 thus came to be equivalent to giving a person a strapping. 



Whatever may have been the reason for abandoning this 

 beautiful and in a way noble sport, its disuse must be deemed 



