34 



FALC0N1D.E. 



This species is, however, not entirely confined to such north- 

 ern regions, as it is occasionally met with in Germany, and 

 other parts of Europe, in winter ; and many instances are 

 recorded of its appearance in Scotland, Wales, and England, 

 even to the most southern parts, but such occurrences are 

 rare. 



This beautiful bird is the largest of all true Falcons, and 

 possesses, in an eminent degree, the peculiar attributes of its 

 tribe. As the Golden Eagle deserves the first place among 

 eagles, so does the Jer Falcon among the falcon tribe. In 

 him, courage, power, and speed, are united with a noble ap- 

 pearance and an elegant and graceful form. His shoulders 

 are broad ; his chest full and round ; his wings long and 

 pointed ; his tail narrow ; his beak is short, thick, and doubly 

 toothed : his feet are strong ; the tarsi short and stout ; the 

 toes are very long, with large balls on the soles of the feet, 

 and strong sharp claws. His compact clothing, consisting of 

 closely set and firm feathers, contributes much to display to 

 advantage his noble form. 



Notwithstanding his wild and lively nature, which is per- 

 ceptible through all his actions, this species is easily trained 

 for the chase, and being strong, courageous, active, enduring, 

 and willing to obey, he has always obtained the preference 

 among birds used in falconry ; and although his natural resi- 

 dence is in high northern latitudes, individuals have been 

 kept for several years at a time in England, and used for 

 the chase. A trained and well kept Falcon will live from 

 ten to twelve years in confinement. Now, however, this once 

 favourite sport having been so long on the decline, owing to 

 various causes, a Jer Falcon is become a rare sight in Eng- 

 land. In countries where this sport is still pursued, the pre- 

 ference is given to birds that are taken when about a year 

 old ; older birds are less valued ; and those taken from the 

 nest and brought up in confinement, a practice sometimes 



