56 
BIRDS OF PREY. 
one belonging to Henry the Second, which flew after a 
little Bustard at Fontainebleau, was caught next morn- 
ing at Malta, and recognised by the ring which it bore. 
When caught, a ring was put round the leg of the 
Falcon to which was attached a label bearing the name 
of the owner, and a small round bell was suspended from 
the neck in order to discover the bird when wandering 
astray in the chase. As no durable attachment could be 
expected from a bird of so rapacious a nature, obedience 
was obtained only by punishment and privation. At first 
the captive was muffled by a cap thrown over the head 
and retained for some days, during the greater part of 
which time the Hawk was suffered to fast ; and his appe- 
tite was even whetted by a cleansing dose of tow which 
he was made to swallow rolled up in pellets for the pur- 
pose. In a short time this severe discipline had the 
effect of producing a passive obedience, and he became . 
accustomed to the muffle, and submitted quietly to the 
privation of light ; if still wild, the discipline w T as contin- 
ued longer, and occasionally, the head of the malcontent 
was dipped into cold water. He soon became inured to 
the finger of the falconer, a morsel of food being held 
out as an inducement ; at length, he was taught, 
after another fast, to eat his food from amongst a lure or 
string of legs and wings of birds ; next he approached 
the sole object of his education, and flew at the prey 
shown to him, while retained to his keeper at the end of 
a long string ; and, finally, he was carried out and suffered 
to fly at large, to soar, and pounce upon his quarry from 
on high, in all the elegance and fierceness of unrestrain- 
ed nature. Some of these birds, like modern dogs and 
horses, became the greatest favorites ; and as the amuse- 
ment was restricted to the privileged ranks alone, it ex- 
cited the admiration and envy of all. The male or Tier- 
