The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-03-26

by a downward swoop from above. and not by
gradually overhauling IL and striking 1t on the
back with its beak. Birds OF this kind were
called ignoble. Indeed Jack and Bill have lost
many quails in short flights because they
wished to get a little ahead OF their prey and
ten feet above it before STOPPING. In small
fields this gives the quail much more oppor-
tunity to reach the shelterlng woods.
1t is supposed that individuals OF the blue
darter species differ widely in characteristics.
as the only two intimate with man so differ.
Jack is the faster bird. and Bill Is the more in
dustrious. Both have hot tempers. but Jack
has struck it's master five times to Bits once.
Bill has the surer stoop. and Is also more eau
tious In charging the thick woods. More than
once Jack has desisted from the pursuit only
In time to save itself a cracked skull or broken
wing. and Insley expects yet to lose 1t In that
way. Jack was much more easily taught than
its associate. and forgets more when the sea-
son has onded. They are equally game In
combat. though Bill Is the more muscular.
Insley ia a man OF education, and has a small
library OF books on %falconry. acquired since he
took up tho fad. He says that many OF the ideas
set forth In them are valueless to a man work.
ing with American hawks. In fact. he has had
to establish his own rules. prove his own train
ing ideas and make his own discoveries. He
takes pride in the fact that he Is probably the
only gentleman falconer alive to-day. certainly
the only falconer in North America.
His love for his hawks and his devotion to
the sport are easily understood by any one who
has seen him and his birds at work. There
are few more stirring and beautiful sights. As
the old dog comes down on the birds the hoods
are slipped and instantly Jack and Bill are
awake. They know the meaning OF II we'll. The
snares are taken from their feet and they
atratch forunr1 tbair rrip1a IA alfapraad rau6v
for the whirr Of the tumultuous bevy. Their
yellow eyes. growing rapidly larger and darker.
eeem molten. The neck feathers are slightly
rufhed. They stand lightly poised upon the
gloved wrist OF their owner. instinct with life
and savagerv. In response to command, the
pointer starts forward slowly. The air is filed
with the roar OF the wings. The quails
are ten yards away and going like bullets
when the blue darters launch themselves
into space. At first it ia a losing race. Then
they hold their own. Then they begin to draw
slowly upon the quarry. They are sloping
gradually upward. Two hundred yards away
they are over the centre Of the buzzing flock,
ten Oct above 1t and drawing well to the front.
Jack leads its mate by five yards and will
strike at the foremost bird. Suddenly its head
lowers slightly, its wings curve a trifle. and it
darts downward like a streak OF blue light
whirling upward again thirty yards beyond
with empty talons. 1t has missed. The birds
have zigzagged frantically at its dive and are
now widely parted. Bill. flying steadily. is
over n single quail and preparing for a swoop.
The woods are still a hundred yards away.
and 1t has its victim well in hand. The next
instant the deed is done. A little cloud Of
feathers floats from the stricken quarry. Bill
seeks the ground and throwing its head far
back drives its iron beak once into the plump
back. Then it disenRaRes its talons. rises. and
returns TO the sound OF the shrill whistle. Jack
Is already on the wrist. its angry eyes hidden
from the light by the buckskin hood. Next
flight 1t will be cast alone. In order to give 1t a
chance to retrieve it's failure. While it is work
ing. It's companion will be kept hooded and
perched upon a hoop wrapped with woollen
stuff. which is carried by a negro attendant.
lnsley estimates the speed OF the blue darter
under full steam at 100 miles an hour.