COMMON OR WANDERING FALCON. 
55 
cies. Edwards’ Black Falcon of Hudson’s Bay is this 
kind in the same state of plumage. In New Jersey, it 
has, from its noted depredations, acquired the name of 
the Duck-Hawk along the sea-coast, where it is not un- 
frequent. Wilson’s figure represents, apparently, an old 
bird, as the cere and feet are bright yellow : at an earlier 
period these parts much incline to green ; at this age 
the Falcon is in its fullest vigor, and, when well trained, 
was highly esteemed in the times when the princely 
amusement of Falconry was in fashion. Great care 
even was employed in selecting the young at a proper 
age for acquiring docility. When taken too early they 
often proved noisy and obstinate ; if removed from the 
nest they were not to be handled, but put into another 
artificial one. Their food was to be wild animals or 
chickens, so as to foster their perfect and natural growth. 
The sorrel-colored or light-brown Falcons, caught late 
in autumn, were considered the most hopeful and easiest 
to breed and teach ; later, the habit of freedom, and the 
commencement of selective attachments, rendered them 
less patient in captivity, and their fidelity could not be 
relied upon. The dark Falcon moults in August. The 
dispositions of these birds vary in individuals, some prove 
indolent and cowardly, others are so fierce that they 
can not be restrained. They no doubt, like other large 
muscular birds, live to a great age. In the year 1793 a 
Falcon was reported to have been caught at the Cape of 
Good Hope, and brought to England with a golden col- 
lar about its neck, dated 1610, and an inscription im- 
porting that the bird belonged to King James ; therefore 
the collar must have been on this bird 183 years ! 
It still appeared lively, but its eyes were dim, and 
the feathers round the collar were changed to white. 
To show the swiftness of the Falcon, it is related, that 
