[a. F. fauconnerie: see FALCON and -RY.] a. The branch of knowledge concerned with the sport of hawking, and the breeding and training of hawks. b. Occasionally, the practice of hawking.
a. 1575. Turberville (title), The Booke of Falconrie.
1626. T. H[awkins], trans. Caussin’s Holy Crt., 62–3. You haue a certayne bird in the mistery of Faulconry, called the Hobby, which hath coupled with the race of Faulcons, Goshawkes, and Sparhawkes.
a. 1682. Sir T. Browne, Tracts, v. 117–8. The Greeks understood Hunting early, but little or nothing of our Falconry.
1828. Sir J. S. Sebright, Observations on Hawking, 1. Hawking, the favourite diversion of our ancestors, is now so fallen into disuse that the Art of Falconry is in danger of being entirely lost.
b. 1818. Hallam, Mid. Ages, ix. § 1 (ed. 2), III. 361. Falconry, unknown as a diversion to the ancients, became from the fourth century an equally delightful occupation.
1869. Gillmore, Reptiles & Birds, 206. In former days, Falconry afforded a stately and picturesque sport to the great, in which lords and noble dames assisted.
