NOTES TO THE ILLUSTRATIONS. 263 



It was at this period of his life that Peter Ballantine adopted 

 the Dutch principle of making hoods, and the system of using 

 long jesses and a swivel, in place of the old varvels and leash 

 of the Scotch falconers, to which he had been educated. On 

 leaving Lord Carmarthen's service he entered that of Sir James 

 Boswell of Auchinleck, where he had charge of a kennel of 

 greyhounds, and also trained a cast or so of hawks annually. 

 He was in Sir James's service for twenty-five years, until the 

 death of that gentleman, and was then employed by Mr. Robert 

 Ewen of Ewenfield, Ayrshire. It was perhaps during his service 

 with this gentleman that Peter showed the best sport during his 

 long career, and fairly established his claim to be considered 

 nearly the most successful trainer of eyesses for game-hawking 

 that has lived during the last two generations. In 1870 his 

 score of game was 269 head. In 187 1 he killed 346 head, and 

 in 1873 his score was 367 head. Two of the best hawks he 

 had during this period were The Imp, which he kept for five 

 years, and Rantiri! Robin, which hawk was moulted ten seasons, 

 and to the last he was as good as ever, when in the humour. 

 Many other hawks which were trained by Peter will live in the 

 memories of those who saw their fine performances, notably a 

 falcon called ya;? Van, and another named Band of Hope. 



For these particulars the writer is indebted to the Hon. 

 Gerald Lascelles. 



On the death of Mr. Ewen, Ballantine found a kind master in 

 Mr. R. A. Oswald of Auchincruive, who kept him on in his old 

 home, and enabled him to continue his old pursuit almost to 

 his dying day. 



With Mr. Oswald in 1878, 1879, ^.nd 1880, Peter showed fine 

 sport, and trained a splendid falcon called Pearl, which was 

 perhaps as good a game-hawk as could be flown. Up to the 

 last-mentioned date Peter was almost as active as ever — at 

 least he could walk after his hawks for the longest day, and 

 cheer them when on the wing with a voice like a bell ; but for 

 the last few years of his life nature asserted itself, and the old 

 man failed a little. But even in the year he died (1884), at the 

 age of eighty-six, he trained a hawk ; and it is a curious fact that 

 this bird, having been amiss for some days previously, died on 

 the same day as her famous old master. 



