FALCONRY. 585 



it will obey the call, a great point is gained, for it fully recognises the 

 lure, and knows that the meat attached will become its own on 

 returning to its master. Then the falconer no longer fears it becoming 

 free, for he well knows he can reclaim it ; that is, make it settle down 

 upon his fist, even when the bird is flying in the air. 



Afterwards it is introduced to Hiring game by letting it fly at tied 

 pigeons ; and, lastly, its education is completed by habituating it to 

 swoop on the special game which it is intended to chase. 



Supposing partridge be the game it is destined for pursuing in 

 the first place, the pigeon's wings on the lure are replaced by those 

 of the partridge, and then the falcon is let fly in succession, first at 

 partridges tied to a string, and then at liberated birds. When it 

 binds its prey well, and shows itself obedient, it is employed on wild 

 game. 



Birds of prey used to be educated for taking the kite, the heron, 

 the crow, the magpie, the hare, partridges, quails, and pheasants - T 

 also wild ducks and other aquatic birds. 



The pursuit of the kite, the heron, the crow, and the magpie, the 

 profit of which was absolutely nothing, was looked upon as a sport 

 fit for princes, and was carried on by means of the falcon and 

 gyrfalcon. But the chase of other birds, in which the inducement 

 was a prey fit for food, was considered the sport of an esquire ; and 

 for this were used the hobby (hobereau, French), the merlin, the 

 kestrel, the goshawk, and the sparrow-hawk. Hence comes the 

 nickname of hobereau applied to French country gentlemen; "be- 

 cause," as Lacurne de Sainte-Palaye says, " they wish to show an 

 appearance of more property than they really possess ; and not being 

 able to keep falcons, which cost too much in their purchase and 

 food, they hawk with hobbies, which are readily procured, and also 

 provide partridges and quails for their kitchens/' 



The most noble cast, but also the rarest, was that at the kite. 

 We have already mentioned, when speaking of nocturnal birds of 

 prey, how at one time they were in the habit of alluring this bird by 

 means of a great (long-eared) owl, dressed out with a fox's brush. 

 Some stratagem of this kind was obliged to be used in order to get 

 near the kite, which flies at heights altogether inaccessible to the 

 best falcon. When the kite came within range a falcon was let fly, 

 and then a most interesting conflict took place between the two> 

 birds. The kite, harassed by its enemy, and, in spite of its turns 

 and twists and numberless feints, unable to escape him, generally in 

 the end fell into the clutches of its foe. 



The cast at a heron generally presented fewer incidents. This 



