The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-12-11

but the fereErfne and Other Bird
Take Its Piace-Reeks. Nagpies an
Partridge the Quarry.
Those who share the now very con-
hon belief that the ancient sport of IA
sonry has died out In England woul
See reason TO alter their opinion II the,
happened 10 be In Wiltshire at tn
right time OF year. says the Londol
Chronicle. aud 10 have the opportunlt,
OF going out with some OF the amateur
who there fly their hawks annually a
various kinds OF quarry.
II they could gain admission to tn,
rather select reunions OF these latter
day falconers they would find that sew
eral Of the birds most distinguished In
the chase In the middle ages are still
employed in the selfsame way, wear,
ing bells and jesses and having their
heads adorned with those bright col.
cred hoods and waving plumes which
are now mostly known 10 us only az
represented In old world pictures. They
would hear In actual use such words
~ "hsgaris" and ''eyesses. lures" and
'pelts" and many more which now con-
vey TO most readers but q vague and
haxy meaning when encountered In the
pages Of Shakespeare or Spenser or
Walter Scott.
II is true, no doubt, that there are
many changes. No more can the lordiy
gyrfalcon be thrown on at the heron ON
passage. for this splendid bird-bravest
and neetest Of all that fy-has long
been exterminated In these islands, and
In the snow capped mountains where
she still has her home no trappers 70
on n princes errand TO ensnare her for
his service. No longer does a Danish
king send q cast Of these noble crea-
lures as a specially welcome present to
bis royal brothers
But the peregrine we still have,
though, alas. In ever decreasing mum.
bers. The goshawk, though extinct in
England, is still sometimes sent over
from the forests Of France or Germany
or Norway to be trained and flown
in the British isles And then we have,
though 1t will not be for long, the tiny
merlin, the much enduring and much
maligned sparrow hawk, and, rarer
eth, though not entirely unknown, the
long winged hobby. Occasionally
tanner from Africa or shaheen from
India is imported by some enthusiast.
and even the fine shaped barbary and
some Of the desert falcons have been
seen within recent years to wear the
hood In England.
Ali these hawks and possibly a few
others have been trained and flown BY
Englishmen who are now living. But
Of the whole number only four species
are now commonly used In England.
Each Of them has Its own special
part or parts to play in the business
for which they are intended. But OF
the very large number of wild crea.
lures In the pursuit Of which nature
has fitted each OF them TO excel only q
few now survive In sufficient numbers
or are to be found In sufficiently open
places to serve as suitable quarry for
them.
Thus, as far as Wiltshire IS concern
Cd, the fights for which the peregrine |
10 habltually reserved are only three
rocks, magpies and partridges. 1t is In
the earlier part Of the year that the
two frst named quary-much detest-
cd by farmers as well as game presery-
ers-are pursued, the rocks by female
especially dignified by the
name Of falcons" and the magpies by
their smaller brothers, called ''tiercels"
The falcon is flown singly at rocks,
which, when it is a matter Of life or
death for them, acquit themselves with
great ability in the air, flying at high
rate Of speed, especially down wind,
and avoiding the hawks swoops with
much adroitness. The falconers In at
tendance must gallop fast II they mean
to keep up with the fight until the
quarry either falls a victim to some
specially well aimed blow or makes his
way successfully, often after flying
some miles, to plantation or shelter
where he Is safe.
AT the magpie the tiercels are flown
IA casts, two together, and each assists
The other in trying to counteract aud !
aefeat the crafty maneuvers with !
which this knowing quarry endeayors
% clude their active pursuit. 1t Is an /
animated scene as the horsemen at |
empt with loud cries and other noises |
% rout out from some thlcket or hiding |
,lace the reluctant fugitive, while the
awks circle about in the air above,
'eady to deliver quickly their headlong
'toops as soon as ever the patch Of
sright black and white feathers has
'een forced to emerge into the open.
In September the whole plan Of Cd.
,rations and many Of. the performers
a them are changed. Instead of being
brown Off from the fist as soon as a
ook or magpie is found In suitable
lace the hawks, one at time, are put
n the wing before any quarry at all
; In sight. The falconer has satisfied
Iimself that a partridge or a covey is
quatting or running somewhere not
ar In front of him, and the hawk,
moving By long practice what is ex-
'ected Of him, mounts steadily, often
o very great height, and then circles
bout waiting until the men below