THE HERON. 195 



By the same authority the price of a mallard was assessed at 3d., a 

 teal 2d., and so on. 



This apicianic preference to the heron was not confined to English 

 taste alone, hut extended to continental choice as well. They were 

 so greatly in esteem a century ago, that higher prices were paid for 

 them than for any other wild-fowl ; thus maintaining through centuries 

 the character of choice and preference which had heen awarded them 

 by the ancient epicure. 



The heron was also distinguished as the noblest quarry for the 

 falconer. The method of capturing herons by the art of falconry, 

 as practised in former days, was a highly animating diversion. 

 Ladies not only accompanied the falconers in pursuit of the heron, 

 but took active part in the recreation, and often excelled them in 

 skill.* 



The time of day generally chosen for the pursuit was noontide, 

 because at that hour herons were supposed to be well gorged with 

 fish, and consequently unable to fly so swiftly as at other times ; and 

 if pursued in a hungry condition, the hawk seldom succeeded in 

 striking its quarry. The rapacious bird generally attempts to soar 

 above its prey, well knowing the difficulty of attacking a heron from 

 any other than an uppermost position ; and, it appears, the heron is 

 equally conscious of this advantage, and when overtaken and over- 

 powered, turns upon its back, and strikes at the enemy with its bill, 

 sometimes transfixing the hawk at a blow. 



" As when a cast of faulcons make their flight 

 At an herneshaw,t that lies aloft on wing, 

 The whiles they strike at him with heedlesse might, 

 The wary fowle his bill doth backward wring.";}; 



A full-grown heron is capable of inflicting a serious wound with its 

 beak, which is a very powerful weapon of defence. When the heron 

 is captured by the hawk, and has reached the ground, it is the custom 

 with Indian falconers to rush forward to the scene of the struggle, 

 and plunge the heron's beak into the earth, when, by holding its 

 legs and wings, a small hawk is enabled to kill it. 



Falconry is still a highly popular recreation in many parts of India, 

 more particularly in the territory of Scinde. It has also long been a 



* Strutt's " Sports and Pastimes," p. 26. 



f Hemeshaw (heronshaw) is a fall-grown heron. 



$ Spenser's " Fairie Queen." 



Vide " Falconry in the Valley of the Indus ;" by Lieut. R. F. Burton : 1852. 



