AVES—MERLIN. 433 
reddish white ; the breast and belly are of a yellowish white, with streaks 
of rusty brown pointing downwards; the tail is long, and marked with 
alternate dusky and pale bars; the wings, when closed, do not reach quite 
to the end of the tail; the legs are yellow, and claws black. 
Small as it is, this bird is not inferior in courage to any of the falcon 
tribe. It was formerly used for taking larks, partridges, and quails, which 
it would frequently kill by a single blow, striking them on the breast, head, 
or neck. It differs from the falcons, and all the rapacious kind, in the male 
and fema:e being of the same size. 
The courage of these creatures in general was such, that no bird, not very 
much above their own size, could terrify them; their swiftness so great, 
that scarce any bird could escape them; and their docility so remarkable, 
that they obeyed not only the commands, but the signs, of their master. 
They remained quietly perched upon his hand till their game was flushed, 
or else kept hovering round his head without ever leaving him but when he 
gave permission. The common falcon is a bird of such spirit, that, like a 
conqueror in a country, he keeps al! birds in awe and in subjection to his 
prowess. Where he is seen flying wild, the birds of every kind, that seem- 
ed entirely to disregard the kite or the sparrow-hawk, fly with screamsat his 
most distant appearance. 
Ta order to train up a falcon, the master begins by clapping straps upon 
his legs, which are called jesses, to which is fastened a ring with the owner’s 
name, by which, in ease he should be lost, the finder may know where to 
bring him back. To these also are added little bells, which serve to mark 
the place where he is seen, if lost in the chase. He is always carried on . 
the hand, and is obliged to be kept without sleeping. If he be stubborn, 
and attempts to bite, his head is plunged in water. Thus, by hunger, 
watching and fatigue, he is constrained to submit to having his head cover- 
ed by a hood or cowl, which covers his eyes. This troublesome employ- 
ment continues often for three days and nights without ceasing. It rarely 
happens but at the end of this, his necessities and the privation of light 
‘make him lose all idea of liberty, and bring down his natural wildness. 
His master judges of his being tamed when he permits his head to be cover- 
ed without resistance, and when uncovered he seizes the meat before him 
contentedly. The repetition of these lessons by degrees insures success. 
His wants being the chief principle of his dependence, it is endeavored to 
increase his appetite by giving him little balls of flannel, which he greedily 
swallows. Having thus excited the appetite, care is taken to satisfy it; anu 
thus gratitude attaches the bird to the man who but just before had been his 
tormenter. 
When the first lessons have succeeded, and the bird shows signs of doci- 
lity, he is carried out on some green, the head is uncovered, and, by flatter- 
ing him with food at different times, he is taught to jump on the hand, and 
to continue there. When confirmed in this habit, it is then thought time to 
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