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HAWK. 
To one is tied a ptarmigan, a pigeon, a cock, or 
a hen, fastened to a cord that it may have means of 
fluttering, and so attract the attention of the falcon. 
On the other post is placed a net, distended on a 
hoop, about six feet in diameter. Through this 
post is introduced a string, above a hundred yards 
long, which is fastened to the net, in order to pull 
it down ; and another is fastened to the upper part 
of the hoop, and goes through the post to which 
the bait is tied. As soon as the falcon sees the fowl 
flutter on the ground, he takes a few circles in the 
air, to see if there is any danger, then darts on his 
prey in such a violent manner as to strike off the 
head as nicely as if it was done with a razor. He 
then usually rises again, and takes another circle, 
to explore the place a second time ; after which he 
makes another stoop ; when, at the instant of de- 
scending, the man pulls the dead bird under the 
net, and, by means of the other cord, covers the 
falcon at the moment it has seized the prey. The 
person during this time remains concealed behind 
some stones, or else lies flat on his belly, to elude 
the sight of the falcon. 
As soon as one is caught it is taken gently out 
of the net, for fear of breaking any of the feathers 
of the wings or tail, and a cap is placed over its 
eyes. If any of the tail feathers are injured, the 
falconers have the art of grafting others ; which, it 
is said, has sometimes occasioned a needless multi- 
plication of species. 
The extraordinary reputation of the Iceland fai- 
