140 THE FALCON. 



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What is the shape of this bird ? 



The shape of the Falcon is similar to that of the 

 eagle, only that the bill is still more hooked, and the 

 whole appearance of the bird is more slender and 

 sprightly. His legs and feet are exceedingly strong, 

 and his wings very long and powerful, in proportion 

 to the weight of his body. 



Formerly this bird was tamed, and taught to catch 

 other birds, for the use of his master. The training of 

 the Falcon for this purpose was called Falconry, and 

 the hunting with him was called Hawking. 



Among the ancient nobility of England, hawking 

 was considered as the most noble and princely of all 

 sports. Falconry, or the training of the Hawk, was, 

 therefore, a business of great importance. The king's 

 Falconer, or the man who took care of his Hawks, was 

 among the most dignified officers of his household, 

 and the expense attending this sport was so great, 

 that none but men of wealth could afford to indulge 

 themselves in it. During these times, a pair of Hawks 

 sometimes sold for a thousand dollars, our money, and 

 in one instance, even five thousand dollars were paid 

 for an extraordinary brace of these birds. 



At the present day, we look with pity and contempt 

 on such silly and wicked extravagance ; and yet in 

 our own times, we have many fashions, which, if they 

 are not as expensive, are fully as ridiculous, and which 

 will be looked upon by future generations with equal 

 contempt and pity. 



The Falcon is a bird of very extraordinary ferocity, 

 courage, and strength. When tamed, and trained for 

 Hawking, he is, however, under the complete com- 



