Publications of the Clan Lindsay Society - Electric Scotland

THE ROYAL KALCONEUS OF SCOTI-AM). 1 ,S7
the task of bringing down the heron. Soaring liigh
into the air, the quarry exerted itself to keep above
the attackers; while they, eireling around ii, sonic-
tiraes in opposite direetions, and travelling upwards
in great spirals, sought a position I'roni which they
might descend on their intended victim. When
successful in gaiuing this ])oint of vantage one v.ould
shoot downwards Hke an arrow, but the watchful
heron by swerving would escape the stroke, and by
accident, as some say, or of set purpose, as others assert,
might inflict serious injury on its enemy, ii' ihe other
hawk fared no better the contest for position was
resumed; but one might succeed in strikin"- while
the heron was engaged with the other. 'I'he second
hawk would then be able to "bind to the quarry," as
the expression was, and all three would come flutter-
ing to earth. Then had the falconer to ride his best
to reach the spot in time to save his birtls from the
murderous stiokes of the spear-like beak of the
heron. For the battle was by no means a one-sided
atiair, nor the victory always with the assailants.
In the Scottish Household accounts for the year 1 jUo,
we find this siirnificant entr 7
''Item—To ane man tuke ane halk of the
Kingis fra ane heroun, xiid."
Such was the mode of action of the lortg-winged
hawks, or hawks of the lure, as they were called, the
peregrine and the gerfalcon. For the taking of rabbits
and partridges the goshawk and sparrow-ha\\k were
used. These short-winged hawks, or hawks of the
fist, flew direct from the hand and followed their prey
with a low, raking flight instead of stooping upon it