Word: preyed
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Confused as to whether or not their resignations had been accepted, the Ministers fell easy prey to Ky's maneuvering: he appealed to their vanity and simultaneously hinted at a compromise after the Manila talks were over. In the end, only Economics Minister Thanh made good his resignation. Labor Minister Nguyen Huu Hung agreed to accompany Ky to Manila. And who remained behind to take charge of the government when Ky flew off to Manila at week's end? Deputy Premier Nguyen Luu Vien, one of the most outspoken of the Southern side...
...swiftly closed the distance. The hare zigzagged desperately. No use. Flashing 20 ft. overhead, the eagle gave a sort of shrug and folded its wings. Legs rigid, it plummeted downward, driving its talons deep into the hare's skull, killing the animal instantly. Then, poised over its prey, 3-ft. wings spread in triumph, it shrieked impatiently for its master to hurry along with its reward: a tidbit of fresh meat...
Today, well over 1,000 falconers in the Western world still practice the ancient sport, and in parts of Asia and Africa it is still a basic means of gathering food. The eagles are the biggest (up to 15 lbs.) and most powerful birds of prey. A brace of trained golden eagles accounted for 32 foxes and 18 wolves in one recent hunting season in the Soviet Union; even rugged mountain sheep and full-grown deer fall to their claws...
...eagles are relatively rare, and most falconers are happy enough to fly one of the smaller hawks. In brushy or forested country, the most popular species is the goshawk, a nimble, round-winged bird that can dash and dodge past the obstacles in pursuit of its prey...
Just as a falcon reaches its prey, it cocks a fist and lashes out; then it rolls over, "binds" to the stunned bird with its talons, and gives the coup de grace with its razor-sharp beak. If it is perfectly trained, and the load is not too heavy, it will carry the kill back to its master like a retriever...