The times., 1898-06-26
The RevfvaI of FnIconry.

(From the Richmond D.spatch.)
What strange fascination men can find
in the old sport Of falconry. that cruel
swoop of a fierce monarch OF the air on
the track Of bird whose only safety lies
in flight, is a mystery TO those whose
knowledge of the pastime is limited 10
what they have read about ii in old books.
Sportsmen who have taken to this method
of capturing game birds declare that this
is the essence OF exciting sport. They
argue that the man VINO goes shooting
with "A modern breech-ioader may Kill
more birds. but he has only the satisfac-
tiou OF knowing that he has trained him
self to be expert in the killing process,
while the falconer has educated one of
the widest and most unlikely creatures
in existence to obey mis- will as he directs.
Besides, say the falconers, what is the
shooting Of a bird on the wing COM
pared with the exciting spectacle of
falcon swooping with lightning-like swift
ness on a partridge that is speeding for
all its wings are worth TO get away.
Whatever its opponents may say, GER
tain it is that the sport of falconry, the
noble old sport that has been sung about
by ancient poets and pictured on number
less canvases by famous painters, is be-
coming a fashionable country pastime
whose followers are as enthusiastic over
their fayOrite amusement as ever was
golf crank or yachting fiend.- 1t is
essentially a cruel sport, but no sport
that has for its ultimate object the kill
ing Of a bird or animal can be considered
humane and the death of the quarry by
the talons Of the hawk is probably as
painless an end as being killed by a
rife shot
A party of falconers will start from
the country house at which the meet
takes place with a half dozen or more
hawks, carried on the cadge a wooden
frame on which they are transported to
the field. The birds are hooded The
hoods are of silver. and the tuft enables
the owner to readily single out his bird
from others. When the moment for ac-
tion comes, the falcon is taken from the
cage and carried on the gloved hand of
the faiconer. ready. TO be freed at any in
stant for the flight after the game. When
the covey is reached the falcon is re-
lieved Of its swivel hood and leash, and
released. She will dart up in the air and
wait there until the quarry is sighted.
circling round and round the spot where
she has been released. When ii is seen
that the falcon is ready. q rush is made
by the falconers and the dogs that ac-
pany the party to the spot where the
covey Of partridges has been located.
Up rise the frightened birds, and. see-
ing their enemy, the falcon, waiting to
seize them above while unknown dangers
confront them below. the birds wing their
way forward. bent on escaping. 1t must
be a fast-fiying partridge that can out
strip the falcon in a race. The old and
crafty birds Of the covey know this we'll
and their tactics are to head for the
6ensest bushes and seek safety in con-
cealment The falcon, with a similarly
active instinct, singles out a young bird
that has sense enough only 10 fly blindly
on in hope Of its wings saving il from the
falcons foot. II is usually a short race
With a swOop that the falconer. who is
an enthusiast. watches and admires as
the angler does the experts cast of a
line, or the yachting man the swift sweep
of boat in a race, the hawk is down on
the partridge, picking 1t up with her foot
and carrying il off 10 a place of safety
where It caA gorge al ease on the prize
Sometimes, as a reward for clever work
the falcon is allowed to continue its meal
but if other work is required of it. the
dead bird is added to the bag of the par
", and the hunt is resumed.
When the next covey is reached, an
other bird is allowed to show his prowess
Rarely Will a bird kill more than one
bird out OF covsy, a point that the
faiconers use. in answering their critics,
who assert that the sport is a cruel one
for say the falconers: 1--WE get a great
deal more sport than the man who shoots
birds. with less killing than he considers
necessary 10 successful day