40 LANNER FALCON. 



legs. While in this position it is not allowed to sleep, 

 and if rebellious its head is dipped in cold water. It 

 is also kept without food, until, worn out by hunger 

 and want of sleep, it permits itself to be clothed in 

 what is called a "chaperon," or hood. When it allows 

 itself to be fed quietly, and then hooded again, it is 

 considered tamed and accustomed to its master. The 

 Falconer now uses artificial means to produce intense 

 hunger, so that when appeased the bird may be more 

 attached to the person who feeds it. This is the first 

 lesson. 



The Falconer next takes his bird out into a garden, 

 and if when unhooded, it will of its own accord jump 

 on the wrist to feed, it is thought fit to be taught to 

 understand "the lure," which is a piece of leather 

 with the wings and claws of a bird attached to it, and 

 a piece of meat. This, with the voice of the Falconer 

 is the means adopted to bring back the bird when on 

 the wing. After it has been practised in a garden 

 it is taken into the open country, where, with a 

 string attached to its legs, it is permitted to take 

 short flights of about (at first) sixty feet from the 

 earth, increased gradually, and brought back each time 

 with the lure, and rewarded by the piece of meat. 

 The bird is then trained upon tame birds until its 

 education is complete, and it is fit for the field. 



Of the birds against which Falcons are flown, the 

 Kite, the Heron, and the Crow are considered the 

 best; such a chase being deemed fit for a prince, 

 while that of the Pheasant, Partridge, or Wild-Duck, is 

 considered fit for gentlemen! Some of the larger Fal- 

 cons are occasionally used in pursuing the hare, and 

 the Persians even use these birds in hunting the 

 gazelle. They are trained for this purpose by feeding 



