The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-01-21
RARE SPORT IN OLOEN TIMES,
Falconry Was All the Rage a
Thousand Years Ago.
Brave Knights aud Grand Ladies
Went Mad Over COnQuests.
10 Was the Sport of Kings and Que ems,
and Flourish al In China efJrs
the OhristtRn Era.

In good keeping with the name, the
Falcon bicycle team carries with it, on
its travels, noble specimen OF the
great bird whose mama it bssrs. This
bird is gyrfalcon, trained in the old
world school OF falcony and ia the only
bird of its kind in America today. It is
the property of the Yost company, and
was brou9hs from B.rllu for thu team.
Exhibitions of its akill may be seen, and
some kno wlsdgs OF falcony as it was in
olden times gained. at thn bicycle N ssts
where the Falcon team participates.
The bird ia now in tbs east, but will
be brought TO the coast bsiore tho Fall
con team isavs5 it's training grounds In
this city. The prssencs of the bird will
awaken interest in tina rare old sport in
which kings and queens and all the
nobility OF Eye olden tymaa" used to
participate.
Ia these days of various and varied
amusemonts and pastimss we rarely
think OF that most ancient apors Of all
falconry. The date and placs OF its in
PRODUCTION 10 shroudsd in ob5curitv, bat
it ante dates the mnmmies ia e gypt,
was known to havs h1urished ia CHINA
earlier than so i. O., AMI was intro
duced into Elrops before tho Christian
era. its introduction into Europe oc-
CURED sbouth the ninth 1ea tury, and il
WAS for 800 years ths leading sport Of
Great Britain, France ma many othsr
countries
IL is sutiicient to relljzl wh 1t An im-
porEant feature OF life the sport was une
less we search tbs ancient laws ald find
records OF aavy fass and inpris)n-
ment imposed for des,roy Ing the eggs OF
the falcon, hawks or the n)rs ordlntry
birds OF prey. Tbs use OF these birds BY
people OF different caste was also regl-
lated by law, and the King alone WAS
allowed the use of the gyrislcon; to On
earl the peregrine, tAs yeGmau tho gos-
hswk, priest the sparroWhawk, ami
so on.
Kings had hrndredl OF birds in trsia-
ing, and the master of the hawks il i ik-
land, as we'll as tins spending oiies
OF grand fAlcoaer in FfAncs, hal DHt
three aupsriors in prscsdsaa, AT court.
and were men OF allnOst unlimited po-
litical powsr.
Hundreds of varieties Of biral were
uoUbt WV W tnb tlCOfE UNt'lSts- tiAS
place of honor. and OF the 5 SPECIES ni
true faicore. the gyrlalcon 10 the lesd
ing bird. I.s home 10 in Scandina7io.
but the young often emi1rats 10 HoI-
land and Germany. The color ia 8 Il sri
blush ash, most black on tbs head
ahaaiug hgh,er toward sas tail. II
nests in January and builds its home on
bare lodges OF rocks and OK oosed traf
tops and is u hardy bird. IL gained Il
name for laziness, Tor il IA enGh ! aure
hunter that only wnen d5.ir1ui Of foot
will it search Tor gama. rhs lsEa are
short and strong ami 1t ule5 its ieat il
killing prey, rarely u1ing ils bsak until
its victim Is dead. lie q swift Il 5ar, it:
speed being almost 20 miles Nh hour
In pursuit. OF food it rissa gensrall, 10 E
great height and hurls iSssii. erroW like
upon its prey.
A ful description OF fllGo Try you'll
be endiess. and the tsrmi so tachnice
that glossary would " headed fri tl
comprehension. The training was don,
by handling, with much uls Of voice
until set free To pursue ths quarry
Jesse3. small straps Of leather, we've KEEP
around lie legs, anu 10 was held upon tbs
wrist OF it's master. When fully traina,
1T was left entirely at liberty during tbs
day and given enough food to satisfy it
hunger. The falcons Of the royal house
hold wore each taught the pursuit O
different kinds OF games; Que for hare
and rabbits. one for grouse an,
partridges and for heron aud wats
fowl. the most difficult prey was TIN
kite. and it was called royal game, ii
only the swiftest and sure9t gyrialcoi
was successful ia its defeat.
Imagination must have leeway to Sc
flying across .he lair teds Of oil,
England not the pink coat, baying dogs
tailor made women and closely croppe,
horses OF today, but y motley com pau.
in laces. satins and jswsls, with fl )atini
feathers and gayly housed etseds. witt
the falconer brightly uniformed IN de
gree of RANK. with pages i'll blue ant
listers in bells. all mad over the con
quest of the small bird which eacl
Knights and lady's hand held.