Follow these guidelines when quoting from sources:

Exercise: read these articles from World Book Encyclopedia, and on note cards do the activities below.

1. Quote the definition of falconry.
2. Quote the passage telling how hawks and falcons are different in appearance.
3. Quote the information about the locations and rarity of peregrine falcons.
4. Quote the sentences on how birds are trained to hunt game (first two sentences of 2^nd paragraph of "Falconry" article).
5. Quote how falcons in general fly and capture their prey.

Falcon is a type of bird closely related to hawks. Falcons are found in a variety of habitats throughout the world. They live in grasslands, forests, deserts, and Arctic tundras, and along seacoasts. Falcons probably first appeared thousands of years ago in the grasslands of Africa. Today, there are about 40 species, about half of them found in Africa. The best-known North American species include the American kestrel, the peregrine falcon, and the gyrfalcon.

Like hawks, falcons have a hooked beak and powerful feet with strong claws. Falcons differ from hawks in having dark eyes, long, pointed wings that curve back in a sickle shape, and beaks that have a "tooth" on each side. Most measure from 8 to 24 inches (20 to 60 centimeters) long. Females are larger than males.

Falcons are exceptionally powerful fliers. They often make spectacular stoops (steep descents) from great heights to capture prey. Unlike hawks, falcons kill the prey with a powerful bite to the head or neck. Hawks normally kill prey with their claws.

Falcons do not build nests. Females lay their eggs on the ground, on rocky ledges, in abandoned nests, or in holes in trees, cliffs, or even buildings. They usually lay three to five eggs that are buff or whitish in color and heavily marked with brown, red, or purple spots or blotches. In most species, the female incubates the eggs, with regular help from the male. Most falcon eggs require about 30 days of incubation. For the first few weeks after the young have hatched, the male provides nearly all the food for the family. Many falcons die during the first year of life. The falcons that survive the first year typically live for 10 years or more.

The American kestrel is the smallest and most common North American falcon. The adult measures about 8 inches (20 centimeters) long. American kestrels range from Alaska through South America. They live in grasslands, woodlands, and even cities. The male has a reddish-brown back and tail and grayish-blue wings. The wings of the female are brown.

American kestrels prey on insects, lizards, and mice, and on other birds. American kestrels typically hunt their prey from perches. However, on windy days, they may hover in the air while hunting. In some areas, American kestrels migrate south for the winter.

The peregrine falcon is one of nature’s flying marvels. It can stoop for prey at a speed of nearly 200 miles (320 kilometers) per hour. This falcon measures up to 20 inches (50 centimeters) long. It is dark blue or bluish-gray above and has white to reddish underparts marked with blackish-brown bars. Peregrine falcons live along cliffs near seacoasts, rivers, and lakes, or in the mountains. They once were found throughout most of the world but are now rare or absent in many areas. Scientists have reintroduced peregrine falcons into many of their present and former habitats, including a number of large cities. These falcons feed chiefly on other birds.

The gyrfalcon is the largest species of falcon. The gyrfalcon grows to a length of 2 feet (61 centimeters). It lives in Arctic regions of North America, Europe, and Asia. Most gyrfalcons have white or gray coloring.

Other North American falcons include the merlin, the prairie falcon, and the Aplomado falcon. The merlin lives in open woodlands and other open areas, and along coastal areas, of North America. It migrates to the southern United States, Mexico, and South America for the winter. The prairie falcon inhabits deserts or dry grasslands in western North America. The Aplomado falcon is found in high deserts and tropical lowlands. Its range extends from South America north to the extreme southwestern United States, where it is extremely rare.

Falconry, once the "sport of kings," is the art of training falcons, hawks, or eagles to hunt game. A falconer is a person who hunts with trained birds of prey.

Training the birds requires patience and persistence. Basically, a hunting bird must be tamed, or "manned," and taught to return to the falconer’s fist or to a lure. Special devices aid the falconer. A hood covers the eyes of the bird, keeping it calm. Small bells or radio transmitters are placed on the bird to help locate it when lost. Leg straps called jesses restrict the bird’s movement when it is on the falconer’s hand or perch. A heavy glove protects the falconer’s hand form the bird’s claws.

The ancient Chinese and the ancient Persians independently began the sport of falconry more than 3000 years ago. Falconry flourished in Europe during the Middle Ages. Each social class was assigned a certain falcon or hawk to fly as a symbol of rank. Kings flew majestic gyrfalcons and serfs flew goshawks. In the 1700s, the wide use of firearms nearly brought an end to falconry. The sport, however, continues to attract many followers, especially in North America, Europe, and the Middle East. Because of successful breeding programs, falconry has entered a new era in which the domesticated ancestries of hawks and falcons are becoming established.