NATURAL HISTORIES.

The article highlights the enthusiasm of Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II for falconry which led to his writing of the book "De arte venandi cum avibus (On the Art of Hunting With Birds)." Topics discussed include the acquisition of falcons and hawks from Greenland and Arabia by the emperor who learned about the sport as a young man, role of his dissatisfaction with existing literature in his decision to write the book, and commendation of the text by philosopher Albertus Magnus.