HAWK. 
399 
con confined it to kings, princes, and the higher 
order of nobility, while the hawk fell to the share 
of those of an inferior rank. At the time when 
hawking was the favourite diversion, great care was 
taken to train the birds properly for the sport ; and 
as the manner in which it was done may not be 
uninteresting to those who feel a regard for our 
antient customs, we shall proceed to give some ac- 
count of it. 
The hawks which were brought up for this exer- 
cise were either nias or hagard birds. Those were 
called nias which had been taken in the nest ; the 
hagards were those which had enjoyed their liberty 
before they were caught. These last were tamed 
with more difficulty; but patience and dexterity 
succeeded in that particular, and, in terms of fal- 
conry, made them tractable and fit for the fray. 
When they were too wild, they were neither fed 
nor suffered to sleep for three or four days and as 
many nights, and were never left alone ; by which 
means they grew familiar with the falconer, and 
became obedient to all his commands. His princi- 
pal care was to accustom them to settle on his fist ; 
to spring when he threw them off ; to know his 
voice, his singing, or any other signal he gave them ; 
and to return when ordered to the fist. At first 
they were tied with a string, of about thirty fa- 
thoms in length, to prevent them from flying away 
when they were reclaimed ; and they were not freed 
from this confinement till they were completely 
disciplined and always returned at command. To 
