IN ICELAND. 2G9 



diameter ; this being pulled down, it goes over and covers 

 the post, for which purpose there is another string 

 fastened to the upper part of the hoop, which goes 

 through the first post to which the bait is tied : these 

 two strings the falcon-catcher has hold of, that he may 

 pull the bait where he pleases, as also the net over his 

 prey. These nets they fix near a nest, or where they see 

 a flight of falcons approach. As soon as the falcon sees 

 the bait fluttering on the ground, he takes a few sweeps 

 about in the air, just over the place, and looks about to 

 see if there be any danger ; then he strikes with such 

 violence as to take the pigeon's head off as clean as if 

 cut off with a knife. The moment he has struck the 

 bait he generally flies up again, unless very hungry, to 

 look about if any danger be at hand, or anything to 

 interrupt him in the enjoyment of his prey. Whilst he 

 is in the act of flying up, the falcon-catcher pulls the 

 string and the dead bait to the other post close under the 

 net, which the falcon not observing, presently darts to 

 devour its prey ; the other string being pulled, he is 

 caught in the net." Mr. Anderson also says, "the falcon 

 is taken by means of a bird (the shrike, I presume) in a 

 cage put near the place where the net is fixed, which 

 bird can see the falcon at an incredible distance, and by 

 a certain noise give notice; whereupon the falcon-catcher, 

 who conceals himself in a bush, throws out a jjigeon to 

 flutter about, which as soon as the falcon espies, he 

 strikes down upon, and immediately the net is pulled 

 over him. He is taken out Avith great caution, for 

 fear of breaking any of his feathers in the wings or tail, 

 and has a cap clapped over his eyes. The falconer is 

 generally hid behind some stones or bushes, or else lies 

 flat on the groimd, a hundred yards or more ofi", where 



