66 HOW I BECAME A FALCONER. 
him a fortnight’s hack. Once taken up, he soon came to himself, 
and was remarkably docile. He was very good at pigeons and par- 
tridges, waiting on for‘any length of time, and very high. Hekilled. 
one grouse—an old one—and, had I accustomed him to that flight, 
might have taken to grouse; but a tiercel is not often to be depended 
on for this quarry. I once saw him take askylark. He had been 
waiting on a long time for partridges, and became tired, perhaps 
out of temper; a lark rose, and he had it in 4 moment coming 
down from his pitch like lightning ; but I never touched the quarry, 
for he went quietly to a tree, and ate it there. I was flying ina 
country where hawking was unknown, and I shall never forget the 
open-mouthed stare of some passing labourers to whom, on the same 
day, I pointed out this hawk in the air, and asked them if they 
would like to see that large bird on my hand. They grinned, 
thinking probably that I was an amiable maniac ; but when I tossed 
up the lure, on which he dropped at my feet, took him up, fed, and 
hooded him, I almost think, “ after they had looked a great while,”’ 
they changed their minds and suspected me of sorcery. 
