THE FALCON. 190 



fered to sleep ; vvhislt his eyes are blinded by a hood, 

 or cowl, for darkness contributes to making him tame ; 

 and his master judges of his success in the undertaking 

 by the manner in which he submits to have the bandage 

 placed upon his head. 



Worn out with hunger and want of sleep, its ferocious 

 propensities gradually decrease, and, by way of exciting 

 its appetite to the utmost pitch, small balls of flannel 

 are placed within his reach, which, instead of satisfying 

 the hunger by which he is devoured, only increases the 

 desire for food. At this period the falconer produces 

 an ample supply, which the famished animal greedily 

 seizes from his hand, and, grateful for the seasonable 

 boon, becomes imperceptibly attached for the succour 

 he has obtained. 



When these lessons have so far succeeded as to pro* 

 duce signs of affection and docility in the bird, his 

 master carries him out upon a green, uncovers his head, 

 and offers him food, to obtain which he must fly upon 

 his hand. When he is so confirmed in this habit as to 

 fly upon the hand whenever desired, the falconer is 

 prepared with a stuffed bird, like the one he is to pur- 

 sue, which he holds at a small distance from the hawk, 

 and to which is fastened whatever food the bird has 

 shown the greatest desire to eat : this he receives as 

 the reward of his obedience, and as an incitement for 

 him to fly at the representation again. Each day this 

 lure is placed at a greater distance, and the falconer 

 prepared with a longer piece of string : and, previous 

 to his being permitted to take his flight, the living ob- 

 ject of pursuit is held in the master's hand. The fal- 

 coner likewise accustoms him to the sound of his voice, 

 and to fly at the bait whenever he is desired. 



By this method of instruction the fal<jon may b« 

 o 4 



