'UJ.^ 



80 ovalll's historical relation of chile. 



when the dog is juft going to feize, the oftrich lets down one of his wings, and fixes 

 it to the ground, covering with it its whole body : the greyhound thinking he has him 

 fure, takes hold with open mouth ; but he fills it only with feathers, and is cheated j 

 for immediately the oftrich, before the dog can clear his mouth, fets a running, and 

 gets a good length before him j and often efcapes, if the greyhound does not make 

 extraordinary hafte to overtake it. 



This is a very diverting fport ; but that which is ufed in Chile with falcons is much 

 more fo : not to fly partridges, for that is a known fport every where ; but with 

 another fort of bird, which the Indians call Quulteu, from the found of its note when 

 it fmgs, which founds fo. Thefe are as big as hens, and have very large wings, and 

 upon their wings they have, in the joining place, provided by nature for their defence, 

 certain fharp points. The Spaniards call thefe birds Friers, either becaufe they always 

 go two and two, or three and three, or becaufe the colour and order of their feathers 

 is fo, that one would really think they have a hood and a frock. 



For this fport it is not enough to have one Falcon, but there muft be two, and 

 thofe very well taught, and dexterous to aflift one another. There ufes to be very good 

 company to fee the engagement, as we may call it ; for it is worth feeing. Coming 

 then to the place thefe birds haunt, which is generally fome meadow or watery ground, 

 (for that they never forfake, their laft defence being in the water, as foon as they are 

 fprung) one at a time, the fportfman flies one falcon at them, who, as if he minded 

 not his game, endeavours to get as high as he can, and get the wind of his prey, who, 

 at the fame time, does the fame thing, and contends for place with his enemy ; fo 

 that they both get almoft out of fight ; but at laft the falcon having the better wing 

 prevails. When he has got advantage enough over him, he comes down upon him 

 like lightning ; but the Quulteu defends himfelf, either by avoiding the blow, or by 

 oppofmg the armed points of his wings ; upon which often theun wary hawk is wounded 

 in the breaft. When the fportfman fees the engagement laft too long, fearing his 

 hawk may tire, or be balked before the victory declares for him, he loofes his other 

 falcon to help the firft, which being frefh, foon joins his companion, and both 

 together fall upon the Quulteu, but not at the fame time, left they fliould hinder one 

 another : one gives him a blow, and then the other another ; and fo, though he make 

 a good defence, he is forced to yield, which he does, by making away for the water, 

 where he has his laft retreat to defend his life : here he expects his enemies upon 

 his back, with the points of his armed wings turned towards them : the Falcon 

 defpifing the danger, comes down with all his force, and feizing her with one foot, 

 tears her to pieces ; but it is not without receiving fometimes dangerous wounds. 

 The viftory does not always coft fo dear ; for that is according to the ftrength 

 of the contenders. I omit the ftiooting of wild-fowl in the fens and waters, which 

 is neverthelefs very entertaining, as are Hkewife the Indians* ways with nets, noofes, 

 arrows, night-lights ; nay, the manner of catching the Falcons themfelves is as 

 diverting : it is done wdth fine nets, in which they involve them, that they may 

 not hurt their wings. 



This is fufficient about the birds; and fince we are in the region of the air, fo 

 near heaven, let us fay fomething of it before we come down to the earth again. 



