1 1 2 BOOKS ON FALCONE Y. 



predecessor, not only in several parallel passages, but in the use 

 of many words evidently of Spanish origin. This is probably , 

 to be explained by the fact that, having espoused the sister of 

 Carlos II., King of Navarre, whose territory adjoined his own, he 

 was doubtless often at the castle of Pamplona, where the MS. of 

 the Paramientos of King Sancho was deposited, and where he 

 would, therefore, have opportunity of consulting it. 



Furnishing, as it does, an important chapter in the history of 

 the chace in Spain, this code is of considerable interest. After 

 dealing with certain preliminaries, and the religious ceremony 

 which always preceded a royal hunting, the Paramientos, or 

 Regulations, relate to the weapons to be used in the chace, the 

 costumes to be worn, the distinction between large and small 

 game, the formation of packs of hounds, the order of procedure 

 on a hunting day, and the ceremonies and fetes which brought it 

 to a close. Besides this, there are several sections which relate 

 to hawking. From these it appears that the hawks used in 

 Navarre at this period (1180) were the Falcon, the Goshawk 

 (Azfor), and the Sparrow-hawk {Gavilan). They were taken 

 young from the nest, and reared in the hawk-house {halconera), 

 fed upon meal-paste [harina de trigd) mixed with the flesh of birds 

 {aif), such as pigeons, partridges, or water-hens [gallinas agua), cut 

 up small ; less paste being given as the hawk grew older, until 

 at length it was strong enough to be fed twice a day on beef o 

 mutton. When a month old, the training commenced, and for 

 this directions are given. It is to be remarked that (contrary to 

 modern practice) the old Spanish falconers, by slowly drawing 

 the lure towards them when seized by their hawks, and calling 

 them with a whistle {chiflo), gradually taught them to retrieve 

 the quarry before breaking in to it. The Goshawk {Aztor) is 

 stated to be more easily trained than a Falcon, from which 

 observation M. Castillon erroneously draws the conclusion that 

 the hawk called Aztor must have been a Merlin, the Spanish 

 name for which is Esmerejon. (See p. 127.) 



The detention, or theft, of a trained hawk was punishable by 

 fine, which was greater for a Goshawk than for a Falcon, and 

 heavier still if the hawk had moulted. Of this fine half went to 

 the king, the other half to the owner or the informer. 



Until the end of the 17th century Falcons were annually im- 

 ported into Spain from the Netherlands. See note to Galesloot 

 (No. 198). 



