HAWKS AND FALCONS. 



cowardly. The chief distinguishing marks between the really- 

 called Falcons and Hawks and true Eagles, are in the form 

 and shape of the beak and length of the outer feathers in the 

 wing. The beak of an Eagle is comparatively long, terminating 

 in a hook ; whereas that of the Falcon or Hawk tribe is short, 

 and begins to bend from its base. In an Eagle, the first, second, 

 and third feathers of the wing are shorter than the fourth and 

 fifth ; whereas, in the common Hawk, the second feather is 



7 



Falcon, or HaWk Tribe. 



the longest, and the first and third of equal length; but in 

 the true Falcon, the first feather is the longest. There may 

 be some exceptions to the strict letter of this rule, but, gene- 

 rally speaking, it is sufficiently correct for practical purposes. 

 Owing to the greater docility of several of the Hawk and 

 Falcon species, they have been made useful to mankind by 

 being trained to catch game of various sorts j and accordingly 

 people of all nations, from very early days, have taken pains 

 in rearing and training them. About two thousand years ago, 

 ancient writers speak of hawking as a common sport. People 

 used to go out into the marshy grounds and beat amongst the 

 reeds and bushes for small birds which harboured there ; and 

 as they flew away, Hawks were let loose in pursuit, and when 

 the game fell to the ground, either through fright, or struck 

 by the Hawks, the men ran up and secured them. Others 

 were so well taught that they not only returned to their 

 owners when called, but brought whatever they might have 

 captured in their flight. Some North American Indians 

 understand the art of taming these birds, and are equally fond 



