NOBLE QUALITIES OF THE FALCON". 221 



to be distinguished from the lower orders by a milder, 

 more noble, and tractable uatm-e, so the birds of which 

 I am about to write are known for the same qualities as 

 superior to all the feathered tribe, and to confirm this 

 opinion observe all their species. There are none that 

 can equal the falcons in fidelity, swiftness, either to 

 mount and approach the sky, to look steadfastly at the 

 sun, for battle, for good temper when you treat them 

 with kindness. All these qualities generally belong to 

 royalty, for which reason they are called kings of all 

 the birds. In fact, try to tame a crow, a kite, a screech 

 owl, or other wild birds which have been in a free 

 state for a year, and having kept them a month, take 

 them to the field, and try if they will be faithful to 

 their master. It is totally a different case with falcons. 

 It is not from necessity or want of food that they are 

 subject to us ; their prey is always at hand in the field 

 as it was when they had their liberty ; their wings are 

 as good as they then were ; they have the same vivacitj^, 

 and the same swiftness to pursue their prey. Is it not, 

 then, by their good nature and by the admirable talents 

 we have received from Grod, that we are able to subdue 

 such animals, which are the wildest of all others ? and not 

 only are we masters of their bodies, but of their every 

 motion and wills." 



Q3 



