Tlie Goshawk 201 
the following observations : " The Goshawk, before it 
has shed its feathers, that is, in the first year, is marked 
on the breast and belly with longitudinal brown spots ; 
but after it has had two moultings they disappear, and 
their place is occupied by transverse bars, which con- 
tinue during the rest of its life." He further observes 
that, "though the male was much smaller than the 
female, it was fiercer and more vicious." The Goshawk 
is found in France and Germany ; it is not common in 
England, but is more so in Scotland. In former times 
the custom of carrying a Hawk or Falcon on the hand 
was confined to men of high distinction ; so that it was 
a saying among the Welsh, " You may know a gentle- 
man by his Hawk, horse, and greyhound." Even the 
ladies in those times were partakers of this gallant sport, 
and have been represented in pictures with Hawks on 
their hands. At present hawking is almost entirely laid 
aside in this country, as the expense which attended it, 
being very considerable, confined it to princes and men 
of the highest rank. In the time of James the First, 
Sir Thomas Monson is said to have given a thousand 
pounds for a cast of Hawks. In the reign of Edward 
the Third it was made felony to steal a Hawk ; to 
take its eggs, even in a person's own grounds, was 
punishable with imprisonment for a year and a day, 
together with a fine at the king's pleasure. Such was 
the delight our ancestors took in this royal sport, and 
such were the means by which they endeavoured to 
secure it. The Falcons, or Hawks, chiefly used in these 
kingdoms were the Goshawk, the Peregrine Falcon, 
Iceland Falcon, and the Ger Falcon. The game usually 
pursued were cranes, wild geese, pheasants, and par- 
tridges. The Duke of St. Albans is still hereditary 
grand falconer of England, but the office is not now 
exercised, except for the Duke's own amusement. 
