PEREGRINE FALCON* 135 



& Duke of Cleve flew out of Westphalia into 

 Prussia in one day; and in the county of Norfolk a 

 Hawk has made a flight at a Woodcock near thirty 

 miles in an hour. 



A very agreeable general description of Falconry 

 is given by the ingenious Abbe La Pluche. This 

 sport, says he, is one of the noblest, and frequently 

 proves one of the most profitable of pleasures. 

 Mankind have discovered the secret of making 

 even the voracious qualities of birds advantageous, 

 either by employing them against malignant and 

 noxious species, or against those whose flesh affords 

 the most exquisite relish. For the various kinds 

 of this diversion the Falcon, the Gerfalcon, the 

 Lanner, the Saker, the Goshawk, the Merlin, and 

 the Sparrow-Hawk are used; but in general the 

 Falcon and Hawk are in more frequent use than 

 the rest. The Falcon, Gerfalcon, and Goshawk 

 are in extraordinary repute, and are trained up to 

 various flights, some of which are pointed against 

 the Heron, others against the Kite, the Curlew, or 

 the Owl. But these pleasures are expensive, and 

 fit only for Princes. The Hawk is used in low 

 flights : he is sagacious, and very dextrous in 

 attacking the Partridge, and is sure to furnish the 

 larder with excellent game. A prudent gentleman 

 leaves the Falcon to Princes, and contents himself 

 with the Hawk. The manner of training them up, 

 and employing them in the field is very agreeable. 

 Such as are taken in the nest are called Nias, while 

 such as are taken when full-grown, and at full 

 liberty, are called Haggards or old birds. These 



