CONTENTS. 



INTRODUCTION. 



SHAKESPEARE'S GENERAL KNOWLEDGE OF NATURAL HISTORY. 



His Love of Sport. — Hawking. — Fishing. —Hunting. — Fowling.— Deer-Shoot- 

 ing. — Deer-Stealing. — "The Subtle Fox" and "Timorous Hare." — 

 Coursing. — Coney-Catching. — Wild Animals mentioned by Shakespeare. 

 — His Knowledge of their Habits. — Insects referred to in the Plays. — 

 Shakespeare's Powers of Observation. — Practical Knowledge of Falconry. 

 — Love of Birds 



CHAPTER I. 



THE EAGLE AND LARGER BIRDS OF PREY. 



An "Eagle Eye." — Power of Flight. — A good Omen. — "The Bird of 

 Jove." — The Roman Eagle.— The "Ensign" of the Eagle — Habits and 

 Attitudes. — Eagles' Eggs. — Longevity of the Eagle: its Age computed. 

 — The Eagle trained for Hawking. — The Vulture : its Repulsive Habits. 

 — The Osprey : its Power over Fish. — The Kite. — The Kite's Nest. — 

 The Buzzard 23 



CHAPTER II. 



HAWKS AND HAWKING. 



Explanation of Hawking Terms. — The Falcon and Tiercel. — The Qualities of 

 a good Falconer.— The "Lure" and its Use. — The "Quarry." — The 

 Hawk's "Trappings." — Jesses, Bells, and Hood.- An Unmann'd Hawk. 

 — The Cadge — The Hawk's Mew. — The Royal Mews.— Origin of the 

 word " Mews." — Imping. — How to "Seel" a Hawk. — A Hawk for the 



