HAWKING IN ALGERIA. 
ground on perceiving the bird. In either case the falcons are 
loosed in succession, in order to assist the leading bird. It is 
a most attractive spectacle to see the falcons successively 
stooping upon the hare, and striking it with their claws with- 
out stooping, while the horsemen shake their mantles with 
exultation, and shout loud enough to frighten to death a 
braver animal than the hare. 
“ Whether the hare runs or squats, the falcon does not 
fasten upon it until the animal is so stunned with the blows 
which it has received that it gives no signs of life. Then the 
head falconer issues his commands, the falcons are recovered, 
hooded, and a new chase commences. 
“As falcons become sluggish when permitted to eat their fill, 
they are only allowed to gorge themselves on the last hare that 
they catch ; but in the meantime they are rewarded for their 
work, and incited to fresh exertions, by small pieces of meat 
which the falconer takes care to bring with him. It some- 
times happens that the hare, on perceiving the falcon, takes 
refuge under the belly of the horses, and is even there pursued 
by the falcon. The chase then becomes full of interest, and 
noisier than ever. As the falcon cannot strike its prey except 
from above, the body of the horse forms an obstacle to its 
success, and the bird expresses its rage by piercing cries, at 
the same time dashing round or rising above the quadruped 
protector. At last, when every one has sufficiently enjoyed 
the sight, a horseman dismounts, takes the hare up in his 
hands and throws it in the midst of the circle, at the same 
time calling the attention of the falcons, who impatiently await 
this, the last scene of the drama. 
“ Having assured himself that the birds are at hand hovering 
above his head, he holds up to them the hare in his arms, and 
casts it away with his full force. Hardly does it touch the 
ground before one of the falcons is on it, and strikes it with his 
talons. The other birds immediately follow, and inflict the 
death-blow on the poor animal.” 
The sport, however, that is most popular in Algeria is hawk- 
ing the bustard ; and, according to Gerard, as many as three 
hundred horsemen are frequently assembled to share in the 
pastime. 
This bird is generally seen in flocks of from ten to thirty. 
As it permits the horsemen to approach tolerably near, they 
spread themselves out so as to form a long line on the plain, 
preceded by the falconers, who walk in front at some distance 
