58 
THE PEREGRINE FALCON. 
lessons of tlie instructor are received with more readiness, occupy far less time, and seem to be 
more powerfully impressed upon the memory. For training this bird the process is very 
similar to that which is employed in the instruction of the Jerfalcon, but the system is not 
nearly so severe, and occupies scarcely one-fourth of the time that is needful to render the 
fierce and fearless J erfalcon subservient to the dominion of man. The whole process is very 
simple in its theory, being based on the principle of placing the bird in such situations that it 
is absolutely unable to disobey the orders which are given by its trainer, and consequently 
imagines that it is equally bound to obey every order which he may afterwards give. In order 
PEREGRINE FALCON. — Falco peregrinus. 
to obtain this result two qualities are needful in the instructor, namely, patience and gentle- 
ness, for without these traits of character no man can hope to be a successful teacher of hawks, 
or, indeed, of any other being whatever. 
When thoroughly tamed, the Peregrine Falcon displays a very considerable amount of 
attachment to its owner, and even while flying at perfect liberty will single him out from a 
large company, fly voluntarily towards him, and perch lovingly on his hand or shoulder. 
Several of these beautiful birds that had been tamed by Mr. Sinclair were so thoroughly domes- 
ticated that they were permitted to range at liberty, and were generally accustomed to perch 
on a tree near the house. One of these Falcons was permitted to seek her own food whenever 
she could not find any meat upon the accustomed spot, and would take flights of several miles 
in extent. Yet she would immediately recognize her master if he were out shooting, and 
would aid him by striking down the grouse as they rose before his dogs. On one occasion the 
fearless bird met with an accident which might have proved fatal, but was ultimately found to be 
of little consequence. Unaware of the presence of his Falcon, her master fired at a grouse, and 
