AVES—FALCON, 43] 
general, that it was made felony in the reign of Edward the Third to steal a 
hawk. To take its eggs, even in a person’s own ground, was punishable 
with imprisonment for a year anda day, together with a fine at the king’s 
pleasure. 
Of many of the ancient falcons used for this purpose, we at this time 
know only the names. Of those in use at present, both in England and in 
other countries, are the jer falcon, the falcon, the lanner, the sacre, the 
hobby, the kestril, and the merlin. These are called the long winged 
hawks, to distinguish them from the goshawk, the sparrow-hawk, the kite, 
and the buzzard, that are of shorter wing, and either too slow, too cowardly, 
‘oo indolent, or too obstinate, to be serviceable in contributing to the pleae 
sure of the field. 
THE PEREGRINE FALCON.! 

In different stages of its growth the peregrine falcon has been known by 
various English names. Its proper appellation among the falconers is the 
slight falcon, the term falcon gentle being equally applicable <o all the spe- 
cies when rendered manageable. The young bird of the year is called an 
eyess, not, ashas been imagined, from the German ey, an egg, but from the 
French nias, which has the same signification as eyess, most of the terms 
of falconry having been adopted from the French. Several other instances 

1 Falco Peregrinus, Lin. 
