108 
JER FALCON. 
olden time of falconry it does not appear to have 
been more abundant ; they were then sought for 
abroad, and very high prices were paid for them. 
The range of the Jer-Falcon seems to be the more 
northern districts of Europe and America. Iceland 
was and is one of its most famed strongholds — the 
capital, so far as the sporting world was concerned — 
and furnished at a large amount the sorts which 
were in most esteem in the countries where this 
ancient sport was pursued.* It spreads also along 
the precipitous coasts of Norway and Sweden, 
* Mr Gould states in his “ Birds of Europe” that the 
falconers who visit this country with their trained falcons 
for sale, all agree in declaring, that the Jer-falcon, which 
they obtain in Norway, is a different bird from that which 
they consider the true falcon of Iceland. It differs in 
the length of the wings compared with that of the tail. 
Those from Iceland are most rare. 
The sport of falconry has been long in almost com- 
plete disuse, but may be said to be now commencing its 
revival. Several gentlemen at present possess regular 
hawking establishments. Asa royal appointment it is still 
kept up, and the accompanying extract will shew that it 
is not merely nominal : — 
“ Friday being the return of the Duchess of St Albans’ 
natal day, it was intended to devote the morning to a 
hawking party, but the weather was so stormy that the 
display of falconry was obliged to be postponed till Mon- 
day. At noon on that day, the Grand Fauconnier repaired 
to the Downs, about two miles this side the Dyke, near 
the old Henfield-road, with his matchless hawks. Eight 
flights were made, and each time they killed their bird, 
with a single exception, when the pigeon being struck 
very hard it towered so high that the falcon could not 
