Ryper 
farmer’s house for the nights we remained away 
from the ship. On the first day we shot sixty 
brace of these birds, and on the second day 
sixty-one and a half brace. We had two ponies 
laden down with this game, which we took back 
to the ship with us, when the birds were divided 
among the different messes on board. This 
proved to be a treat for the men, as ryper make 
most excellent eating. 
I bought a cast (two) of nestling Iceland falcons, 
which I hooded ; these I brought back to Eng- 
land with me, intending to train them. I had 
them so tame that in three weeks after my 
arrival home I had one flying loose and stooping 
to the lure brilliantly. Unfortunately one 
afternoon I lost her as she took after a wild 
pigeon that passed the field where I was flying 
her. I did not see her again, although I 
drove all over the country-side in order to take 
her up. This all came about from trying to 
hurry her on too much. I had but a month in 
which to train her before I was due to return to 
London. The other falcon I gave to a man who 
kept her in a large aviary, where he moulted her 
out for several seasons, but did not attempt to 
fly her. 
I spent seven weeks altogether on board the 
Bellona, enjoying every minute of the time. I 
had to take a passage home in a Danish steamer. 
This boat was crowded with passengers, so 
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