WILD ANIMALS TRAINED TO HUNT 103 



purpose of frightening them, and thereby enabling 

 the falconer to capture the terrified creatures in 

 nets, the practice being known as * daring.' 



The smallest of all falcons to be met with in 

 Great Britain is the merlin, an adult hen only 

 measuring twelve inches in length, and the cock 

 about ten inches. In spite of its diminutive 

 proportions, however, the bird was utilised for 

 flying at pigeons ; indeed, it was considered to be 

 better suited for that purpose than the peregrine 

 falcon because it would not hesitate to follow its 

 quarry amidst the branches of a tree or the tangle 

 of a hedge. 



The common sparrow-hawk is another well- 

 known bird in this country which was formerly 

 kept for the purpose of flying at partridges, thrushes, 

 blackbirds, etc. ; but even more familiar is the 

 kestrel, or windhover, as it is also called, on account 

 of its habit of remaining in one spot in mid-air whilst 

 it rapidly moves its wings. 



In addition to the foregoing, the golden eagle 

 was tamed and trained for sporting purposes in 

 days gone by, and the Kirghiz tribe of the Asiatic 

 steppes employed it to hunt various kinds of 

 mammals, amongst which were to be numbered 

 wolves and foxes. It was the custom to keep the 

 bird hooded except when it was required for the 

 chase, or when it was being fed. When taken out 

 to hunt, the eagle sat upon the gauntleted wrist 

 of its owner, who, mounted on horseback, grasped 

 ft T-shaped crutch made of wood and horn, and 

 fixed to the front of his saddle in order that he 



