[52.] Compare, ante, [p. 52], “A falcon tow’ring in her pride of place,” &c.
[53.] It will be observed that, in these pages, falconry is treated as a thing of the past, as indeed it is a sport now almost obsolete, and but few comparatively are acquainted with its technicalities.
[54.] The weapon of this name, the most important of small fire-arms, is said to have borrowed its title from this the most useful of small hawks, in the same way that other arms—as the falcon, falconet, and saker—have derived their names from larger and more formidable birds of prey. Against this view it is asserted that the musket was invented in the fifteenth century by the Muscovites, and owes its name to its inventors. See Bescherelle, “Dict. Nat.,” and “The Target: a Treatise upon the Art Military,” 1756.
[55.] December 30th, 1865.
[56.] Victor Fatio, “Les Campagnols du Bassin du Léman.” Bale, Génève, et Paris. 1867. P. 16.
[57.] “Illustrations of Shakespeare, and of Ancient Manners.” 1807.
[58.] “The Moor and the Loch.”
[59.] “The Zoologist” for 1863, p. 8,765.
[60.] “Essays on Natural History,” 1st Series, p. 14.
[61.] Stanley’s “Familiar History of Birds,” p. 179.