146 GYR AND PEREGRINE FALCONS. 



has been mixed to gratify the taste of mankind. Falconry 

 was long the favourite amusement of our hardy ancestors, 

 and a person of rank seldom stirred out without his hawk 

 on his hand ; indeed in old paintings this appendage is 

 generally considered as the criterion of nobility. The ex- 

 pense that attended this sport was very great ; and among 

 the ancient Welsh princes the royal falconer was the 

 fourth officer of state ; he was limited to three daily 

 draughts of beer from his horn, lest, from intoxication he 

 should fail to discharge his duty. In the reign of Edward 

 the Third, it was felony to steal a hawk ; and even to take 

 their eggs was punishable with imprisonment for a year 

 and a day. 



Falcons are distinguished by being long or short winged. 

 In the former division (which is the more generous breed) 

 are the gyr-falcon, the falcon properly so called, the lan- 

 ner, the hoby, and some others ; in the latter are the gos- 

 hawk, the sparrow-hawk, the kite, and the buzzard. 



THE GYR-FALCON. 



This elegant species exceeds all others with respect to 

 si'ze ; excepting the osprey, which Linnaeus ranks in this 

 family. Its bill is yellow, and much hooked ; the throat 

 a fine white ; and the whole plumage is of one colour, ex- 

 cepting that it is marked with dusky lines, spots, or bars. 



This bird was in high estimation when falconry was fa- 

 shionable, being always trained to pursue the noblest 

 game. It inhabits the northern districts of Scotland. 



THE PEREGRINE-FALCON. 



This is rather a large bird. The bill is much hooked, and 

 is armed near the end of the upper mandible with a very 

 sharp process. The feathers on the forehead are whitish ; 

 on the crown black mixed with blue, and on the hind part 

 black. The back, scapulars, and coverts of the wings, 

 are elegantly barred with deep black and blue, and the 

 tail with several dusky and blue strokes. The breast and 



