COMMON OR WANDERING FALCON. 
57 
cel (a third less than the female) was employed to catch 
Partridges, Blackbirds, Magpies, Jays, and small birds ; but 
the task of the female was to engage in the noble chase 
of the Hare, the Kite, the Crane, and other large objects. 
This recreation, not unknown even to the Romans in the 
early part of the Christian era, was also practised 
throughout the East, and still continues in Persia, Tar- 
tary, and China, where the most extravagant prices are 
given to the Russians and other Northern nations for 
these favorite birds, which appear to be more energetic 
in proportion to the coldness of the climates where they 
happen to be raised. According to Chardin, the Jer- 
Falcon of Russia, taken to Persia, is not allowed to be 
kept by any person less than the king, and each bird is 
valued at the extravagant price of 1500 crowns ; if any 
of them die on the road, the ambassador brings the head 
and wings to his majesty, to show that he has been faith- 
ful to his charge. 
The Falcon, long as it has been subjected to the 
caprice of man, has never been subdued or domesticat- 
ed ; it refuses to breed in slavery ; the species at large 
still rove in all the freedom of their savage nature, and 
disown the empire of man. Their ferocity is broken by 
restraint and privation, so that they submit to perform a 
task for the hope of an accustomed reward ; but they 
serve from habit and necessity, and not from attachment ; 
they remain obedient captives, but never become willing 
domestics. 
The length of this species in Europe, is 15 to 16 inches ; the 
female is from 17 to 18. The female given by Wilson is said 
to be 20 inches, and 3 feet 8 inches in extent of wings. Bill grey- 
ish blue. A space around the eyes, iris, feet, and cere, yellow. 
Upper parts blackish-brown, the scapulars and tertials barred with 
faint ash (in the European adult of a cinereous blue, with bands of 
a darker color.) Wings not extending to the tip of the tail (in the 
