138 LORD L1LFORD ON BIRDS IN THE LILFORD AVIARIES. 
the Hawk ; at all events my own experience with this species is 
to the effect that although it is a high and rapid flyer and very 
docile, it is by no means a courageous bird, and that this country 
is by no means well-suited to its natural constitution ; in fact, 
although it is a very handsome bird in appearance, there is an 
indescribable softness about it which does not commend it to the 
falconer. With great care, we have managed to keep some of 
these Hawks at Lilford for four or five years, but they are 
particularly subject to attacks of the fatal “frounce,” and cannot 
stand any exposure to rough or wet weather. The first specimen 
of the Saker, Falco sacer, that ever came alive into my possession 
was purchased from the French Society of Acclimatization through 
my friend Mr. E. Cavendish Taylor, who discovered the bird, a 
fine adult female, in a cage in a part of the said Society’s gardens 
in Paris not open to the public, in the spring of 18G2. He was 
informed that the bird in question had been sent from Persia, and 
the box in which I received it in London was ornamented with a 
card which set forth that the Falcon had been and was to be solely 
nourished on bread and butter, of which refection some fragments 
remained in its travelling-carriage. This Saker had evidently been 
trained, as it sat quietly unhooded on my fist as I carried it across 
Hyde Park a day or two after its arrival ; but it had an injury to 
one of the pinions which prevented its flying ; it lived for more 
than eight years at Lilford, dying, as I firmly believe, simply of 
old age. With me this Hawk was perfectly tame and gentle, but 
she would boldly attack any other human being or dog who came 
within reach of her leash. Eough weather did not seem to affect 
her in any way, and she much enjoyed a drenching summer 
shower. 
I have had several other Sakers, male and female ; one of the 
latter my falconer tried to train at Hares, but failed signally in tho 
attempt. The Saker seems to me to be naturally fierce and vicious ; 
but once reclaimed, becomes as tame as any Hawk can be with its 
master, though always shy and distrustful of strangers. As I have 
never, except possibly on one doubtful occasion, seen one of this 
species in a wild state, I can say of course nothing of its habits in 
that condition from personal observation ; but I think that tho 
following notes kindly communicated to me by Captain Charles 
Thompson of the 7th Dragoon Guards, who has considerable 
