,transcriber ,notes ,text emphasis is displayed as ,italics4 ,whole and fractional parts of numbers are displayed as3 #g-c_/d4 ,,the ,,art ,,and ,,practice ,,of ,,hawking ,illustration3 ,falcons and ,goshawk ,weathering4 ,,the ,,art ,,and ,,practice ,,of ,,hawking ,,by ,e4 ,b4 ,,michell ,,with ,,three ,,photogravures ,,by ,g4 ,e4 ,,lodge ,,and ,,other ,,illustrations ,,methuen ,,co4 #cf ,,essex ,,street1 ,w4 ,c4 ,,london #aijj ,,to ,,the ,,earl ,,and ,,countess ,,of ,,warwick ,,and ,,all ,,other ,,lovers ,,of ,,hawking ,,this ,,book ,,is ,,dedicated ,,by ,,the ,,author ,,preface ,notwithstanding the large number of books1 both ancient and modern1 which have been written on the art of ,hawking1 it cannot be said that the ,english-speaking people generally have more than a very vague idea of the character of the sport1 or the mode in which it was1 and still is1 conducted4 ,yet1 in an experience of ,hawking which extends over more than thirty years1 the author has found that a great and increasing curiosity1 and even a real interest in the subject1 prevails1 especially amongst sporting men1 who are in many notable instances beginning to believe that hawks and their owners have been unduly disparaged1 and that there is more to be said in their favour than has for the last two centuries been imagined4 ,there has not been space in this volume to discuss the much-vexed question how far the use of hawks is compatible with the preservation of game4 ,but it may be said here1 without any reservation1 that wherever experiments have been actually tried1 ,hawking has been found not to spoil but to improve the shooting4 ,the object of the author has been to describe as briefly as was consistent with clearness the birds now chiefly used in the chase1 and the manner of training and flying them4 ,his hope is that some of the sportsmen who read these pages may1 in spite of the difficulties which they will have to encounter1 resolve to give this old and honourable sport a trial4 ,the use of technical terms has been avoided as far as possible2 and those which could not be excluded have been explained in the text4 ,when the reader is puzzled by any word1 a reference to the ,index will direct him to the page where the meaning of it is given4 ,,contents ,,pages ,,chapter ,i ,history and ,literature ,antiquity of hawking in ,china--,introduction into ,europe--,royal and ,imperial falconers--,decline of the sport--,survival and revivals--,modern falconers--,early writers--,leading authorities--,modern books #a-h ,,chapter ,,ii ,the ,birds ,used in ,hawking ,three classes--,long-winged hawks3 ,ger-peregrine1 and kindred varieties1 shaheens1 barbary1 saker1 lanner1 and desert falcons1 hobby1 merlin1 and kestrel--,short-winged hawks3 goshawks and sparrow-hawks--,eagles1 golden1 ,bonelli's1 etc41 falconets #i-ci ,,chapter ,,iii ,furniture and ,fittings ,jesses--,bells--,swivels--,leashes--,th e screen-perch--,blocks-- ,bow-perches--,hoods--,brails--,the bath--,the lure--,cadges-- ,gloves--,mews #dj-ed ,,chapter ,,iv ,eyesses and ,hack ,hawks ,taking from the eyrie--,feeding--,turning out to hack--,the board system--,hacking to the lure1 and to the hand--,learning to fly--,dangers and diversions of hack--,taking up--,the bow-net #ee-fi ,,chapter ,v ,passage ,hawks ,valk enswaard--,hawk-catcher's hut--,the shrike sentinel-- ,handling the wild-caught hawk--,the sock--,the dark cell--,prison fare--,early discipline--,waking--,hooding--,carrying --,manning-- ,pegging out #gj-hf ,,chapter ,,vi ,training and ,entering ,reclamation of wild-caught and hack hawks--,making to the lure-- ,calling off--,the first quarry--,innocent deceptions--,making in-- ,waiting on--,stooping to the lure--,exercise #hg-ajj ,,chapter ,,vii ,rook-,hawking ,good and bad country--,entering to rooks--,throwing off-- ,ringing flights--,shifting--,throwing up--,putting in--,riding to hawks #aja-aad ,,chapter ,,viii ,game-,hawking ,eyesses and passagers--,teaching to mount and to wait on-- ,entering--,raking away--,the pitch--,the stoop--,pointers-- ,speed and cunning of grouse--,partridges1 black-game--,some good bags #aae-abi ,,chapter ,,ix ,lark-,hawking ,the hobby1 ancient and modern--,daring larks--,the merlin-- ,difficulties of training and flying--,making in--,fishing-rod trick--,good and bad larks--,high flights--,double flights-- ,winter larks #acj-ada ,,chapter ,x ,gulls1 ,heron1 ,kite1 ,duck1 etc4 ,double flights at gulls--,the ,loo ,club--,kite-hawking--,wild ducks1 magpies1 plovers1 woodcock1 snipe1 and other quarry #adb-adi ,,chapter ,,xi ,the ,goshawk ,hawks of the fist--,training--,rewards for good conduct--,yarak-- ,pheasants1 partridges1 rabbits1 and hares--,the goshawk in covert--,variety of quarry--,some good bags--,a famous goshawk #aej-aei ,,chapter ,,xii ,the ,sparrow-,hawk ,vices and merits--,a fine hawk for the bush--,partridge-hawking-- ,blackbirds1 quail1 and other quarry--,how to manage a sparrow-hawk--,a modern record #afj-afi ,,chapter ,,xiii ,home ,life ,the falconer's establishment--,good and bad falconers-- ,hawk-houses--,the falconer's day--,bathing--,weathering-- ,exercise--,diet--,castings--,tirings--, rangle--,bedtime #agj-aia ,,chapter ,,xiv ,hawks in the ,field ,hooding up--,accoutrements--,field tactics--,markers--,mounted men--,successful and unsuccessful flights--,putting in--,picking up--,consolation quarry--,disobedient hawks--,a good quarry-book #aib-bab ,,chapter ,,xv ,lost ,hawks ,carelessness and imprudence--,a kill out of sight--,a night out--,search and recapture--,chance witnesses--,decoy hawks-- ,winding up--,snaring--,a fresh start #bac-bbd ,,chapter ,,xvi ,accidents and ,maladies ,broken feathers--,imping--,broken bones--,diagnosis--,croaks1 cramp1 ague1 apoplexy1 frounce1 inflammation1 and fever-- ,corns1 broken talons1 blain1 craye1 and other maladies #bbe-bdc ,,chapter ,,xvii ,moulting ,early and late moulting--,flying through the moult--,throwing into the mews--,diet and management--,bad moulters--,intermewed hawks--,physic and treatment #bdd-bed ,,chapter ,,xviii ,virtue and ,vice ,good and bad hawks--,temper1 shape1 size1 and colour--,style of flying--,carrying--,soaring--,raking away--,checking-- ,perching--,hood-shyness--,screaming--,r efusing--,running cunning--,seven deadly sins--,four cardinal virtues #bee-bgd ,,chapter ,,xix ,anecdotes and ,adventures ,lessons from the quarry-book--,the old authors--,modern experiences--,peregrine and pigeon--,a miraculous rabbit-- ,queer hiding-places--,wild v4 tame hawks--,merlin-hawking with peregrines #bge-bhd ,x8 ,,list ,,of ,,illustrations ,,photogravures ,,page ,falcons and ,goshawk ,weathering ,frontispiece ,death of the ,rook #aaj ,sparrow-,hawk and ,partridge #afh 7,from ,drawings by ,g4 ,e4 ,lodge7 ,,other ,,illustrations ,shape of ,wings #aa 7,from a ,drawing by ,mrs4 ,sachs7 ,trained ,kestrel ,thunderbolt1 owned by ,mr4 ,r4 ,gardner #cj 7,from a ,photo by ,c4 ,reid1 ,wishaw1 ,n4,b47 ,hawk's ,furniture #dj 7,from a ,drawing by the ,author7 ,blocks and ,perches #df 7,from a ,drawing by the ,author7 ,hawk's ,furniture #dh 7,from a ,drawing by the ,author7 ,cadge with ,peregrines #eb 7,from a ,photo by ,c4 ,reid1 ,wishaw1 ,n4,b47 ,falcon and ,tiercel ,weathering #hf 7,from a ,photo by ,c4 ,reid1 ,wishaw1 ,n4,b47 ,pluming the ,dead ,grouse #abg 7,from a ,photo by ,c4 ,reid1 ,wishaw1 ,n4,b47 ,trained ,merlin #acb 7,from a ,drawing by ,mrs4 ,sachs7 ,trained ,goshawk1 ,gaiety ,gal1 owned by ,mr4 ,a4 ,newall #aei 7,from a ,photo by ,herbert ,bell1 ,ambleside7 ,,the ,,art ,,and ,,practice ,,of ,,hawking ,,chapter ,i ,history and ,literature ,,it would be easy to fill a large volume with dissertations on the antiquity of the art which is now called ,falconry1 and with records of its history in different countries during the many centuries that have elapsed since it was first practised4 ,in a treatise on practical hawking1 such as the present1 there is no room for such matter2 and the omission will be the more readily excused when it is explained that only a short time ago the antiquities of the art1 and the literature in which its records are embodied1 were most carefully and ably explored by ,mr4 ,j4 ,e4 ,harting1 the erudite ,secretary of the ,linnean ,society1 whose catalogue of books on hawking contains a reference to every known publication on the subject 7,bibliotheca ,accipitraria1 ,london1 #ahia74 ,the actual origin of hawking1 as of other old sports1 is naturally hidden in the obscurity of the far-away past4 ,no one would suppose that it was practised as early in the world's history as the sister sports of hunting and fishing4 ,but ,mr4 ,harting's researches have resulted in convincing him that it was known at least as early as #djj ,b4,c41 although its introduction into ,europe must clearly be placed at a much later date4 ,it is remarkable enough that the ,greeks1 whose country abounds in wild hawks1 should have known nothing of their use in the service of man4 ,homer1 indeed1 speaks of the mountain falcon as the most nimble of birds1 7,greek3 ute kirkos oresphin1 elaphrotatos petenn1 ,il4 xxii4 #aci72 but ,sophocles1 in alluding to the triumphs of man in taming and using wild creatures1 omits all mention of the training of hawks1 which is certainly more worthy of notice than mere bird-catching or the breaking-in of oxen 7,soph4 ,antig4 #cdc74 ,even the later ,roman authors refer to the use of trained hawks as an unfamiliar practice1 in vogue only amongst some of the barbarian tribes4 ,until at least some centuries after the ,christian era1 ,china and other countries in the ,far ,east seem to have been the chief if not the only homes of falconry4 ,but the ,lombards1 when they settled in ,north ,italy1 in the latter half of the sixth century1 were acquainted with the art2 and before the end of the ninth century it was familiar to the ,saxons in ,england and throughout the ,west of ,europe4 ,henry the ,fowler1 who became ,emperor in #iai1 seems to have been so nicknamed on account of his devotion to this form of sport1 which was already a favourite with princes and magnates4 ,the ,saxon ,king ,ethelbert wrote to the ,archbishop of ,mayence for hawks able to take cranes4 ,king ,harold habitually carried a trained hawk on his fist2 and from the time of the ,norman ,conquest hawking was a sport as highly honoured in the civilised world as hunting4 ,the greatest impulse that was ever given to the sport in ,western ,europe was derived from the returning ,crusaders1 many of whom1 in the course of their travels to the ,east1 had become acquainted with the ,oriental falconers and the ,asiatic modes of training and flying hawks4 ,conspicuous amongst such ,crusaders was the ,emperor ,frederick ,,ii41 who brought back with him some ,asiatic hawks and their trainers1 and who not only was himself an enthusiastic and accomplished falconer1 but even declared that falconry was the noblest of all arts4 ,from that time--early in the thirteenth century--for more than four hundred years falconry flourished in ,europe1 as well as in the ,east1 as a fashionable sport amongst almost all classes4 ,as in the case of hunting and fishing1 its attractions as a sport were supplemented by the very material merits it possessed as a means of procuring food4 ,while the prince and the baron valued their falcon-gentle for its high pitch and lordly stoop1 the yeoman and the burgher set almost equal store on the less aristocratic goshawk and the plebeian sparrow-hawk as purveyors of wholesome delicacies for the table4 ,even the serf or villein was not forgotten in the field1 and was expected1 or at least allowed1 to train and carry on his fist the humble but well-bred and graceful kestrel4 ,during this long period the example of ,henry the ,fowler was followed freely by many of the most celebrated and powerful rulers in ,european countries4 ,hardly a prominent personage amongst the great conquerors and lawgivers in medival times was unacquainted with the art4 ,most of them were as enthusiastic in their devotion to it as they were to the more serious objects of their ambition4 ,it would be wearisome to recount the long list of royal falconers2 and it will suffice to merely mention a few of the most notable examples4 ,thus ,edward ,,iii4 was accompanied on his warlike expedition with a whole train of falconers4 ,his father had been indulged in his imprisonment with liberty to go hawking4 ,shakespeare has familiarised his readers with the hawking parties of ,henry ,,vi4 and his ,queen 7#b ,hen4 ,,vi4 ii4 ,i72 and few people have failed to read the story of the broken leaping-pole which precipitated ,henry ,,viii4 into a ditch as he was following a hawk4 ,louis ,,xi4 and a host of ,french kings1 including ,francis ,i41 were ardent falconers1 as were many of the kings of ,castile and ,arragon1 ,sardinia1 and ,hungary4 ,henry of ,navarre was excelled by few men in his passion for this sport4 ,james ,,iv4 of ,scotland gave a jewelled hood to one of the ,flemings1 because the latter had won a match in which his hawk flew against the ,king's4 ,and ,james ,i4 of ,england enjoyed nothing more keenly than a day's hawking1 declaring that if a man had only patience and good-temper enough to contend with the disappointments inseparable from it1 the sport would be preferable to hunting4 ,catherine ,,ii4 of ,russia was as great at falconry as at most other things1 and specially delighted in the flight with merlins4 ,ecclesiastics1 both great and small1 were not a whit behind the laity in their devotion to the sport of the air4 ,it was thought no scorn for a holy-water clerk to carry a musket or male sparrow-hawk4 ,not only did ,cardinal ,beaufort fly his falcons with those of the great ,duke of ,gloucester1 but no less a potentate than ,pope ,leo ,x4 was constantly in the field at ,ravenna1 and even incurs the blame of the great ,d',arcussia for being in the habit of too soundly rating his comrades during a flight4 ,the hawking establishments of all the earlier ,bourbons were kept up in more than royal style1 and were supplied annually with rare falcons from many parts of the world4 ,it was the invention of shot-guns that struck the first and most deadly blow at the popularity of hawking4 ,it was soon discovered that wild-fowl1 rabbits1 and most kinds of game could be captured much more easily and cheaply by the aid of vile saltpetre than by the laborious and costly processes involved in the reclaiming and moulting and conditioning of hawks4 ,economy1 as well as novelty1 pleaded in favour of the new sport of shooting4 ,at the same time1 the common use of fowling-pieces added a fresh and formidable danger for the owners of hawks1 already exposed to a thousand unfair risks of losing their favourites4 ,in the unsettled state to which ,europe was reduced by the innumerable wars consequent on the ,reformation1 it was impossible for falconers to identify or punish those who recklessly or deliberately slaughtered a neighbour's lost hawks2 and although the offenders were still liable to serve penalties1 they could snap their fingers at the protective laws4 ,finally1 the more rapid subdivision of the land1 and its enclosure with fences for agricultural purposes1 spoilt1 for the falconer's purposes1 large tracts of country which had formerly been the most suitable1 and was especially hurtful to the flying of the long-winged hawks1 for which an expanse of open ground is indispensable4 ,on the ,continent these various causes operated surely but slowly to displace falconry in the public estimation4 ,but in ,england a special circumstance almost ruined it at one blow4 ,the outbreak of the ,great ,civil ,war interrupted rudely all peaceful sports1 and its disasters destroyed a vast number of those who were the best patrons of hawking4 ,from the blow then struck ,english falconry never rallied in any general sense4 ,certainly it did revive1 or rather survive1 to a certain extent4 ,it would be wrong to suppose that the sport has ever been extinct in the ,british ,isles1 as so many writers are fond of reiterating4 ,but its devotees have kept it up without any of the pomp and show which once distinguished it1 carrying on in comparative privacy1 and in the retirement of rather remote spots1 an amusement in which the difficulties always besetting the sport were aggravated by a thousand new dangers and annoyances4 ,the annals of falconry1 since it was deposed from its fashionable place--in ,england by the ,great ,rebellion1 and afterwards in ,france by the ,revolution--are obscure1 and for the most part buried in oblivion4 ,here and there the name of a notable falconer1 professional or amateur1 emerges from the mist1 showing us that the sport was still carried on with vigour by a few4 ,in the middle of the eighteenth century ,lord ,orford flew kites in the eastern counties1 and this sport1 as well as rook-hawking and heron-hawking1 was successively carried on by the ,falconers' ,society1 the ,falconers' ,club1 and the ,high ,ash ,club1 which latter existed from about #agib to later than #ahcj1 and included amongst its members ,lord ,berners1 ,colonel ,thornton1 and other sporting celebrities4 ,in ,scotland falconry has always been kept up4 ,the life of ,john ,anderson covers the whole of the last half of the eighteenth century1 as well as more than a quarter of the nineteenth4 ,this accomplished trainer of hawks was for the first twenty years or so of the present century in charge of the ,renfrewshire establishment kept by ,fleming of ,barochan1 and flown chiefly at partridges and woodcocks4 ,during the early years of the same century1 until #ahad1 ,colonel ,thornton did a great deal of hawking on his own account1 at first in ,yorkshire1 and afterwards at ,spy ,park1 in ,wiltshire4 ,from #ahbc to #ahcc ,mr4 ,john ,sinclair flew woodcocks with success in ,ireland4 ,in #ahdj ,lord ,o',neill and ,colonel ,bonham took a moor in ,ross-shire for hawking2 and in the following year the ,loo ,club was started for heron-hawking in ,holland1 under the auspices of ,mr4 ,e4 ,clough ,newcome4 ,this influential club continued to flourish till #ahec4 ,its place was taken1 not many years after1 by the ,old ,hawking ,club1 which1 although it has never undertaken the flight at herons1 continues to carry on an annual campaign against rooks and game with great credit and success4 ,in ,france a hawking club was started in #ahfe1 under the title of the ,champagne ,club1 but was not long-lived2 and several minor attempts at organising new clubs have been made in ,england during the last thirty years4 ,there are at the present moment at least thirty private establishments in ,england alone where trained hawks are kept and flown1 besides several in ,scotland and ,ireland4 ,the names of several of the leading amateurs now living will be mentioned in this and following chapters4 ,of professional falconers1 the supply has sadly dwindled away since the time when the office of ,grand ,falconer was something more than the hereditary title of the ,dukes of ,st4 ,albans4 ,it was not1 however1 until quite recent years that the supply became quite unequal to the demand4 ,at the death of ,john ,anderson in #ahcb there were able successors to keep alive the best traditions of the old ,scotch school4 ,foremost among them was ,peter ,ballantine1 of whom1 as well as of ,mr4 ,newcome1 excellent likenesses are published in ,mr4 ,harting's fine work1 ,bibliotheca ,accipitraria4 ,this accomplished trainer survived until #ahhd4 ,nearly contemporary with him were the brothers ,barr1 whose names are frequently mentioned in these pages4 ,while these and others upheld the sport in ,scotland1 ,england1 ,ireland1 and ,france--for ,john ,barr acted as the falconer of the ,champagne ,club--,john ,pells in ,norfolk1 once falconer to the ,duke of ,leeds1 attained to great efficiency and repute2 and the names of ,bots and ,mllen became celebrated in ,holland as the successful hawk-catchers and servants of the ,loo ,club4 ,later still1 ,john ,frost acted for eighteen years as the energetic and skilful falconer of the ,old ,hawking ,club4 ,he was succeeded by ,george ,oxer1 who1 with the ,retfords 7,james and ,william7 and the sons of ,john ,frost1 is still living4 ,there are at the present moment several very young falconers who bid fair to attain distinction1 though their training is derived mostly from lessons imparted to them by the amateurs who have brought them out4 ,it is to be hoped that1 now the facilities for travelling are so immensely increased1 some modern imitator of ,frederick ,,ii4 will bring back from ,india a native falconer or two1 whose experience in the tropics would be invaluable1 and thus infuse new life into the professional world of ,europe4 ,of amateurs there has been for some years past no lack in ,england2 and want of space alone prevents the enumeration of the distinguished falconers who still keep up in the ,british islands and dependencies the best traditions of their art4 ,amongst these it would be unfair to pass over the most conspicuous names1 such as those of the late ,lord ,lilford and ,captain ,salvin and ,mr4 ,william ,brodrick1 the first named as justly famous for his acquaintance with hawks as for his knowledge of ornithology4 ,captain ,salvin first familiarised the modern ,english people with the training of cormorants1 and with the flight with peregrines at rooks4 ,mr4 ,brodrick illustrated with his own admirable coloured figures the handsome and useful book on falconry which he published jointly with ,captain ,salvin4 ,another joint-author with the latter was the ,rev4 ,gage ,earle ,freeman1 who for many years most successfully flew1 in a far from perfect country1 peregrines at grouse1 merlins at larks1 goshawks and sparrow-hawks at various quarry4 ,the small book which owes its authorship to these two masters of the art has long been out of print4 ,it is impossible to praise it too highly as a handbook for beginners4 ,of living falconers1 no one can be compared in experience and general knowledge with ,major ,hawkins ,fisher1 of the ,castle1 ,stroud1 whose game-hawks have for more than fourteen years annually killed good bags of grouse at ,riddlehamhope1 in ,northumberland1 and whose favourite peregrines1 such as ,lady ,jane1 ,lundy1 and ,band of ,hope1 have been a terror to partridges in ,wilts and ,gloucestershire4 ,mr4 ,st4 ,quintin1 of ,scampston ,hall1 ,yorkshire1 probably the most successful game-hawker of whom we have any record1 has recently brought to a high degree of perfection the flight with peregrines at gulls4 ,the fine sport shown at rooks every year in ,wiltshire by the ,old ,hawking ,club1 is due chiefly to the ability and energy of their secretary1 the ,hon4 ,gerald ,lascelles4 ,in flights with short-winged hawk of both descriptions1 ,mr4 ,john ,riley1 of ,putley ,court1 ,herefordshire1 is facile princeps4 ,the late ,rev4 ,w4 ,willemot did some good work with falcons at gulls before this branch of the sport was taken up by ,mr4 ,st4 ,quintin2 and the late ,mr4 ,t4 ,j4 ,mann1 of ,hyde ,hall1 ,sawbridgeworth1 was successful with rooks and partridges in ,cambridgeshire4 ,probably the most splendid establishment of hawks in ,england during the last forty years was that of the late ,maharajah ,dhuleep ,singh at ,elvedon4 ,falconry in ,india has been extensively practised by many ,english officers quartered in that part of the world1 and notably by ,general ,griffiths1 and more lately by ,captain ,s4 ,biddulph1 who has probably killed a greater variety of wild quarry than any ,european now living1 and whose portraits of trained hawks are above all praise4 ,colonel ,delm ,radcliffe1 ,colonel ,brooksbank1 ,colonel ,watson1 ,captain ,crabbe1 the late ,sir ,henry ,boynton1 ,mr4 ,a4 ,w4 ,reed1 ,major ,anne1 and ,mr4 ,arthur ,newall1 are all enthusiastic and successful falconers4 ,colonel ,ayshford ,sanford1 ,major ,c4 ,w4 ,thompson1 of the #gth ,dragoon ,guards1 and the writer of these pages1 have had considerable success with merlins4 ,in ,france1 the names of ,,mm4 ,barachin1 ,sourbets1 ,arbel1 and ,belvallette for the short-winged hawks1 and ,,mm4 ,pichot and ,paul ,gervais for other kinds1 require honourable notice2 and in ,russia that of the late ,m4 ,constantine ,haller will always be remembered4 ,it is not many years since the latter originated and carried into effect the scheme of an ,international ,hawking ,congress1 to be held near ,st4 ,petersburg4 ,this was attended by many ,asiatic falconers1 and one from ,england4 ,but the impossibility of finding suitable wild quarry in accessible places sadly interfered with the success of the meeting2 and the result was not proportionate to the great trouble of organising it4 ,it will naturally be supposed that a sport so fashionable1 so prevalent1 and so difficult as falconry1 has been discussed at length in many writings and in many languages4 ,for the very extensive literature treating of its art and practice in different parts of the world1 the reader is referred to ,mr4 ,harting's ,bibliotheca ,accipitraria1 already mentioned1 in which a full account is given of no less than three hundred and seventy-eight works on the subject4 ,of these1 eighty-two are in ,english1 and eighty-four in ,french4 ,the ,german publications number forty-six1 the ,italian thirty-eight1 the ,japanese fourteen1 and there are several in ,spanish1 ,russian1 ,latin1 ,greek1 and ,chinese4 ,the most notable works1 besides those already mentioned1 are the ,latin treatise written by the ,emperor ,frederick ,,ii42 ,the ,boke of ,st4 ,albans1 by ,dame ,juliana ,berners1 #adhf2 the volumes published by ,turbervile in #aege1 by ,latham in #afae1 and by ,bert on the short-winged hawks in #afce4 ,still more interesting are the books written in ,french by ,charles d',arcussia1 which date from #aeih to #afbg4 ,the nineteenth century has produced several important works1 including the small treatise by ,sir ,john ,sebright1 #ahbf1 and the splendid illustrated volume by ,schlegel and ,wulverhorst1 #ahec4 ,the ,badminton ,library contains half a volume on ,falconry from the very able pen of ,mr4 ,gerald ,lascelles2 and the ,encyclopdia ,britannica has an article on the subject by ,colonel ,delm ,radcliffe4 ,to look for any real revival of falconry in ,europe would be altogether quixotic4 ,lucky indeed may the falconer of the future consider himself if the art even survives4 ,already the goshawk1 the ger1 and the golden eagle are almost extinct in ,england2 sparrow-hawks have become so rare that constant advertisements offering to buy one remain without response2 the harmless hobby and innocuous merlin are ferociously persecuted1 and have been exterminated in most of their favourite haunts4 ,a lost hawk has become almost a synonym for a murdered hawk4 ,owners are beset with enemies on every hand1 besides being plagued and pestered by ignorant and impertinent intruders1 if ever they venture with their hawks into a public place4 ,the country becomes more and more unsuitable for hawking purposes4 ,upon many of the most open spaces bricks and mortar intrude2 upon other parts the vexatious small plantations designed as shelters for game4 ,even when a suitable grouse-moor or partridge-ground is found in want of a tenant1 obstacles may be raised4 ,a baseless but deep-rooted prejudice deters many lessors from allowing trained hawks to be flown over their land1 on the absurd plea that it will spoil it for subsequent tenants4 ,in short1 the impediments with which the modern falconer has to contend are too many and too great for any but a few very determined sportsmen4 ,these1 when they have once mastered the initial difficulties1 usually persist in preferring the sport to any other4 ,once a falconer1 always a falconer1 is a maxim of universal truth4 ,and the fraternal spirit which animates most ,english falconers--and1 for that matter1 most falconers throughout the world--is not the least agreeable feature presented by this ancient and honourable field sport4 ,,chapter ,,ii ,the ,birds used in ,hawking ,of the numerous birds of prey which are found in various parts of the globe1 a good many have been employed in the service of man as agents in the pursuit of other birds and of four-footed animals1 partly for purposes of supplying him with food1 and partly for sport4 ,it is more than probable that others might be similarly trained and flown1 especially some of the ,american and ,australian hawks1 which seem suitable for the purpose1 but which have never yet1 as far as we know1 been thus taken in hand4 ,it is not1 however1 proposed to describe at length any members of the large family of ,raptores1 except such as are known to have been used in hawking2 and with regard to those which have been flown only in remote parts of the world1 considerations of space necessitate a very brief reference4 ,it has usually been said that the list of birds used in hawking includes only two main divisions--the long-winged hawks1 as falconers call them1 known to naturalists under the name of falcons2 and the short-winged hawks1 to which the men of science apply specially the name of hawks4 ,this ornithological classification of falcons on the one hand and hawks on the other1 is not a very happy one2 for in the general public estimation1 as well as in falconers' phraseology1 every falcon is a hawk1 although every hawk may not be properly called a falcon4 ,the one term is of classic1 and the other of ,teutonic origin2 and it was too late1 when books about birds first began to be written scientifically1 to attempt to establish a hard-and-fast difference between words which had already passed current for centuries as meaning pretty much the same thing4 ,moreover1 hawking1 which1 if the naturalists' view of the matter were accepted1 ought to be concerned1 like the ,french autourserie1 with the short-winged hawks only1 has long been considered in ,england a mere synonym for falconry1 which also1 if interpreted strictly according to the ornithological theory1 ought to be regarded as dealing with the long-winged species4 ,the two-fold division1 however1 no matter whether it is into falcons and hawks1 or into short-winged and long-winged hawks1 seems to be insufficient and unsatisfactory4 ,for eagles1 which have been1 and still are1 extensively used in a sport for which the only ,english names are hawking and falconry1 remain unincluded in the two usually accepted classes4 ,no eagle can properly be called either a hawk or a falcon2 and in order to find a place for them amongst the birds trained and flown at quarry1 it seems necessary to institute a third class4 ,what order of precedence should be taken by such new class is a matter of small consequence4 ,in symmetry of shape1 in its mode of flying1 its character1 and its tastes1 the eagle is as inferior to the true hawk as the latter has always been deemed to be to the true falcon2 and in this work1 as in others on falconry1 the first place has been retained for the long-winged hawks1 and the second for the short-winged1 leaving a third place for what little it seems necessary to say about such eagles as we know to have been flown at game4 ,the long-winged hawk is known by the following characteristics3--,the second primary feather in the wing1 reckoning from the outside1 is the longest1 or at least equal in length to any other1 as in the merlin1 which has the second and third feathers very nearly or quite of the same length4 ,the upper mandible has on each of its sides1 about a third part of the distance from the point to the cere1 a projection somewhat resembling a very blunt tooth4 ,the eye is dark brown4 ,the wing is long enough in the outer joint to come down1 when closed1 considerably more than half-way between the end of the tail coverts and the end of the tail itself1 and in some cases1 as in the hobby1 as far as the tail1 or even farther4 ,in the short-winged hawks the wing is comparatively short in the outer joint1 and1 when expanded1 presents a rounded appearance at the end1 the fourth primary being the longest1 and the first very short4 ,that emargination1 or narrowing in1 of the feather near its end1 which is observable in the first two primaries of the long-winged hawk1 is still more pronounced in the short-winged1 and is conspicuous in the third and fourth primaries also4 ,the tail is long1 and large when expanded4 ,the iris is of some shade of yellow1 light or dark4 ,the upper mandible curves in a smooth line1 without any projecting tooth4 ,illustration3 ,,wing of ,,long-,,winged ,,hawk ,,wing of ,,short-,,winged ,,hawk ,,wing of ,,eagle ,,shape ,,of ,,wings ,in the eagles the tail is shorter and stouter4 ,the outer joint of the wing is shorter than in the falcons1 the wing deriving its power from the feathers near the body rather than from the outer ones4 ,the beak is longer in shape than that of the other two sorts1 and the legs are proportionately stouter4 ,the size of the smallest eagle is very much greater than that of the largest falcon or hawk4 ,the differences which exist in the shape of the wing between the three classes will perhaps be best appreciated by a glance at the accompanying illustration1 in which a characteristic wing of each kind is figured4 ,the ,french have convenient terms 7see ,belvallette1 ,trait d',autourserie1 ,paris1 #ahhg7 which express in themselves1 with great perspicuity1 though perhaps a little exaggeration1 the different methods of flying employed by the short- and the long-winged hawks4 ,the latter they describe as ramiers1 or rowers1 because their mode of progression through the air resembles that of an oarsman1 or rather sculler1 striking with repeated beats of his sculls2 whilst they describe the short-winged hawks 7with eagles and all birds that have rounded wings7 as voiliers1 or sailers1 maintaining that their impulse is gained by the pressure of the air against the wing1 upon which it acts as upon a sail4 ,many people may be inclined to call such a distinction rather fanciful1 and even question its truth2 but the mere fact that the two words have been accepted as correctly denoting the two separate styles of flying1 shows what a marked difference between them has been generally admitted to exist4 ,it will be seen that the mode of flying the rowers and the sailers at quarry is also very distinct4 ,in accordance with the three-fold classification above suggested1 ,i now proceed to mention the various birds used in hawking under the successive headings of--7#a7 ,long-winged hawks2 7#b7 ,short-winged hawks2 and 7#c7 ,eagles4 ,i4 ,,the ,,long-,,winged ,,hawks 7,falcons7#a #a ,it should be observed that although the term falcon has an established meaning among ornithologists as a name for the long-winged hawks1 it is used by falconers in quite a different acceptation4 ,in hawking phraseology it is applied1 in contradistinction to the term tiercel1 to the female of the larger sorts of long-winged hawks1 and especially to the female peregrine4 ,thus when a falconer is described as being possessed of two falcons1 or a hare is mentioned as having been taken by a falcon1 the reader is expected to know that the female peregrine is referred to1 and not a male peregrine1 or a saker1 lanner1 or any other kind of hawk4 ,perhaps the leading characteristic in the flying of this kind of hawk is that it habitually captures its prey1 or1 as falconers term it1 quarry1 by making a dash or shot at it1 technically called a stoop1 from some position where it can command an advantage in speed and force4 ,in many cases the bird is itself so conscious of this natural aptitude for stooping in preference to mere following1 that it habitually places itself1 when on the look-out for food1 at a considerable height1 from which it can descend with great ease and velocity upon any victim which may happen to be passing beneath1 using the principle of gravity to increase the force of its downward flight2 and in several departments of the falconer's art the trainer endeavours to encourage the tendency of his hawk to mount and make the most of the advantage so gained4 ,the long-winged hawks are as a rule trained to come to the lure1 and not to the fist1 although for the sake of convenience it is sometimes found advisable to make them to both practices4 ,greenland ,falcon 7,falco candicans7 ,female--,length1 about #bc inches2 wing1 #af4e2 tail1 #i4 ,male--,length1 about #bj inches2 wing1 #ad4e2 tail1 #h4 ,the general colour in the adult of both sexes is white1 with more or less faint bars of light brownish grey on the upper plumage1 and spots of the same colour underneath4 ,the young birds of both sexes are considerably darker than their elders1 with a much larger allowance of darker grey brown on the plumage both above and below4 ,these dark patches and markings become fainter and less abundant at each moult1 until in very old birds they almost vanish1 leaving the hawk to appear at a distance merely white4 ,the bars on the back1 shoulders1 and wings are often shaped like the two arms of an anchor2 and the spots on the breast are mostly tear-shaped1 especially after the first moult4 ,the legs1 feet1 cere1 and eyelids are bluish grey in the young birds1 but after the first moult become yellow1 strengthening in colour at each moult4 ,it will be seen by reference to the remarks on comparative merits of falcons 7,chap4 ,,xviii471 that in proportions this species excels all the other gers4 ,it is also the most majestic in its appearance and attitudes1 and the most noble in the expression of its eyes and1 if the term may be permitted1 of its countenance4 ,it was not so much used in the ,middle ,ages as the other gers1 by reason of the difficulty of obtaining it1 but was probably the most highly valued of all4 ,the late ,lord ,lilford1 who in quite modern times had a good deal of experience with this species1 opined that it was an excellent flier and stooper1 but a poor footer1 that it was the reverse of hardy1 and difficult to keep in condition4 ,when observed in the wild state in ,scotland it was found to kill a great many rooks1 and to be dreaded by the wild-fowl1 but not to be partial to game1 though it was seen to make an ineffectual stoop at a blackcock4 ,iceland ,falcon 7,falco islandus7 ,female--,length1 about #bd inches2 wing1 about #ag2 tail1 #i-a_/d4 ,male--,length1 about #ba inches2 wing1 #ae2 tail1 #h-a_/d4 ,in young birds the upper parts are dark greyish brown or brownish grey1 each feather barred and tipped with a much lighter grey4 ,the under plumage is dusky white1 splashed more or less profusely1 especially on the breast and flanks1 with streaky spots and splashes of greyish brown4 ,at the first moult the brown tinge begins to disappear1 and the spots on the breast and flanks become more heart-shaped than longitudinal1 and less profuse4 ,in subsequent moults the spots become smaller and smaller1 and the whole plumage fades to a lighter grey1 the bars on the upper plumage often softening gradually to a greyish white4 ,the sides of the head and lower nape are white1 with brownish lead-coloured shaft marks in the immature plumage1 fading and diminishing as the hawk moults4 ,the moustachial streak is wanting in this variety4 ,this species of ger was very highly esteemed in antiquity2 and individual falcons were occasionally presented by the kings of ,denmark to foreign potentates as a high compliment4 ,in modern times it has been found delicate1 and difficult to keep in health4 ,mr4 ,newcome had some which flew well at herons1 but did not find them so generally effective as peregrines4 ,the late ,maharajah ,dhuleep ,singh flew them with success at hares4 ,lord ,lilford1 however1 was unable to get them to fly rabbits or hares1 and found them liable to a troublesome affection of the feet4 ,norway ,falcon 7,falco gyrfalco7 ,female--,length1 about #bb inches2 wing1 #af2 tail1 #i4 ,male--,length1 #ai-a_/b inches2 wing1 #ad2 tail1 #h-a_/d4 ,in the young the general colour of the upper plumage is a lead-coloured brown1 each feather tipped and margined with a somewhat lighter brown or buff4 ,the flight feathers are also similarly margined4 ,the lower back is sometimes tinged with grey4 ,the tail is tipped with white1 and barred rather closely with a speckly buff4 ,the breast is profusely streaked with longitudinal blotches on a white ground1 as in the peregrine2 but these markings are of a rather duller brown4 ,at the moult the markings on the under plumage diminish greatly in size and number1 especially on and near the chin1 and become more or less tear-shaped--this tendency to decrease continuing in subsequent moults4 ,in the upper plumage the brown is replaced by slatey grey1 barred with a lighter blue-grey1 which in patches1 especially upon parts of the feathers which are habitually hidden1 are nearly white4 ,the tail becomes slatey brown1 with narrow bars of brownish grey4 ,this species has a broad well-marked moustachial streak1 which is dark brown in the immature and dark grey in the adult4 ,the cere and eyelids are blue-grey1 and the legs and feet bluish lead colour2 but all become yellow in the adult4 ,this species is found not only in ,norway1 but also along the whole expanse of ,northern ,europe and ,asia4 ,it is the nearest in colouring and disposition to the peregrine1 and the most remote from the ,greenlander4 ,lord ,lilford considered that it was not so fast as the ,greenlander1 and its shape is certainly not so indicative either of speed or of strength4 ,john ,barr was sent over by ,captain ,dugmore some few years ago to ,norway1 and brought back sixteen of these hawks4 ,they flew beautifully to the lure1 turning more quickly than a peregrine1 and stooping with greater dash1 but were of little use in the field1 and mostly fell speedy victims to the croaks or other maladies4 ,labrador ,falcon 7,falco labradorus7 ,this is another species of the ger family1 found1 as its name imports1 in ,labrador4 ,it is of a much darker coloration than even the ,norway falcon1 but not very different in measurements4 ,it has not1 as far as ,i can learn1 been trained for sporting purposes1 though no doubt it very well might be4#b #b ,although the name gyrfalco--the gyrating or circling falcon--is now appropriated by most ornithologists to the ,norway birds1 all the foregoing were included by the old falconers under the name ger1 gyr1 or jer4 ,they are all so styled1 and very properly1 by modern usage4 ,they are indeed little1 if anything1 more than climatic varieties of the same bird1 and although it has not been ascertained beyond a doubt that they interbreed1 this is highly probable4 ,the lightest variety of each one species is almost1 if not quite1 undistinguishable from the darkest of the next2 and the character of all is similar enough to admit of their being trained and treated in the same way4 ,from the falconer's point of view1 there will certainly be less difference between one ,iceland falcon and one of either of the two nearest allied species than there may be between two individual specimens of ,f4 islandus4 ,they will all therefore be dealt with in the remaining chapters under the same general name of gers1 unless when any special consideration involves a more specific indication4 ,the difference of size between the two sexes in the case of these splendid birds is1 as it will be seen1 considerable4 ,but both are so superior in speed and strength to any creatures at which they are at all likely to be flown in ,england1 that the list of quarry suitable for the gerfalcon will1 with a very few exceptions1 serve for the ger tiercel also4 ,this list includes gulls of all kinds1 herons1 rooks and crows1 wood-pigeon1 black-game1 grouse1 partridges1 hares and rabbits1 wild-duck of all descriptions1 ,norfolk plover1 and all the sea-fowls found on the coasts of ,great ,britain and ,ireland1 except swans1 and perhaps wild geese4 ,the gerfalcon will also take these latter1 as well as kites and cranes1 peacocks1 ptarmigan1 and bustards1 at which the best of them may be flown in countries where such birds are to be found in sufficiently open places4 ,it is recorded of ,henry1 king of ,navarre1 that he had a gerfalcon which ,scaliger declares to have struck down in his sight a buzzard1 two wild geese1 divers kites1 a crane1 and a swan 7,sir ,thomas ,browne1 cited by ,harting1 ,bibliotheca ,accipitraria1 xxvii474 ,the flight of the ger is marked by an appearance of power suitable to its size and shape1 and combines in an extraordinary degree swiftness and the power of turning readily4 ,when taught to wait on1 it does so in majestic style1 often at a stupendous height2 and its stoop from that direction is so hard1 as the old falconers termed it1 or in other words so swift and impetuous1 that the quarry is less often clutched and held than struck down with a blow as the hawk passes1 and is often found either killed or altogether disabled by the violence of the shock4 ,so great1 indeed1 is the vehemence with which the ger flies and stoops1 that the old masters warned their pupils not to work them long on any occasion1 for fear of tiring them1 and thus lowering their pitch1 or impairing their powers of mounting4 ,gers have not had a very fair trial in the hands of modern falconers4 ,they have seldom come into their possession under favourable conditions4 ,greenlanders1 especially1 have for the most part been brought to ,european shores by ships1 upon which they were caught at sea by men quite unacquainted with the proper mode of treating a wild-caught hawk4 ,almost always their plumage has suffered badly2 and they themselves1 having been kept alive on unsuitable or scanty food1 have been reduced so low as to permanently lose some of their natural strength and vitality4 ,the same thing may be said of several ,icelanders and ,norwegians which have reached the hands of the falconer in pitiable plight4 ,gers are very seldom taken on the passage in ,holland1 although one tiercel1 captured by ,adrian ,mllen in #ahgh1 was acquired and trained by the ,old ,hawking ,club1 and proved a fine performer at rooks4 ,reference has already been made to the gers brought by ,john ,barr from ,norway4 ,mr4 ,newcome1 who in the treatment of peregrines was excelled by no falconer of modern times1 was dissatisfied with the gers which he trained1 and found them difficult to keep in condition4 ,d',arcussia1 who1 of course1 had many gers under his charge1 declares that their principal excellence was in mounting1 whereas in the downward stoop the peregrine might be awarded the palm4 ,this opinion1 however1 can hardly be reconciled with the more forcible and striking words which he uses in another passage1 where he tells us that having trained some gers for partridges he took them out before a company of experts1 who1 after seeing these hawks fly1 were disgusted with all other hawks4 ,peregrine 7,falco peregrinus7 ,female--,length1 about #ah inches2 wing1 #ad2 tail1 #g2 tarsus1 #b-a_/d4 ,male--,length1 about #af inches2 wing1 #ab2 tail1 #f2 tarsus1 #b4 ,in young birds of both sexes the upper plumage is a more or less dark brown1 inclining in some individuals to chocolate colour1 and in others to black1 each feather of the back1 wing1 and tail coverts tipped with a lighter and more rufous brown4 ,the chin1 neck1 breast1 thighs1 and whole under plumage is more or less dull creamy white1 streaked plentifully with longitudinal blotches of dark brown1 which are thin and small at the neck1 but become broader and bigger as they approach the lower part of the breast1 dying away again towards the vent4 ,the tail is greyish brown on the upper surface1 tipped with more or less rufous white1 and barred with five or six rather irregular and rather faint bands of darker brown4 ,the under part of the tail is very faint brownish grey1 barred with a somewhat darker hue of the same colour4 ,the sides of the head and neck are dull creamy white1 streaked with very small dashes and markings of dark brown4 ,on the under side of the eyebrow1 passing round the eyelids1 is a patch or streak of very dark brown1 and a broad streak of the same colour or of black reaches like a moustache from near the back of the upper mandible backwards for an inch4 ,the legs1 feet1 cere1 and eyelids vary from light blue-grey to greenish yellow and pale ochre2 beak1 light bluish grey1 darkening to black at the tip2 claws--called always by falconers talons--black1 as in other hawks of all kinds4 ,in the first moult the brown of the whole upper plumage is replaced by a slatey blue1 each feather from the shoulders to the end of the tail barred transversely and tipped more or less distinctly with a lighter shade of blue-grey4 ,the slate colour on the crown and side of the head1 including the moustache1 is of a dark hue4 ,the under plumage1 instead of being streaked longitudinally with brown1 becomes at the first moult spotted and splashed with markings of dark grey1 which are partly transverse and partly shaped like an arrow-head or tear-drop1 especially on the throat and gorge4 ,at each successive moult these spots and markings become more transverse and bar-like1 and also narrower and more sparse on the parts nearest the chin1 until in very old birds they disappear on the chin and throat1 leaving a blank surface of pure creamy white4 ,even before the first moult the feet and legs begin to assume a yellow colour2 and by the time the first moult is over1 they and the cere and eyelids have changed to a more or less decided yellow1 which as the bird grows old develops into a rich gold4 ,both sexes undergo the same changes in plumage1 but it should be said that these hawks at all ages vary considerably in size and shape1 and still more in their colouring4 ,it is not unusual to see an eyess which has the head and parts of the upper plumage nearly black1 while the brown of others at the same age is as light as cocoa1 with buff edgings4 ,some detailed remarks as to the size and shape of peregrines and other hawks will be found in ,chapter ,,xviii41 where it will be seen that some are of much more prepossessing appearance than others4 ,speaking generally1 the peregrine may be regarded as the most perfect type of combined strength1 speed1 and destructive power in birds4 ,the proportions are such as could not be altered with any advantage1 and adapt the hawk to a greater variety of flight than any other4 ,this reason1 and the fact that it is to be found in almost all parts of the habitable world1 have always made it a favourite with falconers2 and at the present day it is more highly esteemed in ,europe than any other1 even including the nobler gers4 ,the female--to which sex alone falconers allow the application of the name of falcon--may be flown with success in this country at herons1 gulls of all kinds1 ducks of all kinds1 crows1 rooks1 grouse1 black-game1 partridge1 pheasant1 woodcock1 landrail1 ,norfolk plover1 curlew1 and other sea birds of about the same size1 magpies1 wood-pigeons1 and doves4 ,she may also generally1 if desired1 be taught to fly at hares1 and no doubt at rabbits4 ,occasionally she may take plovers and snipe1 jackdaws1 kestrels1 and smaller birds4 ,in ,india her list includes wild geese1 cranes1 bitterns1 ibis1 and bustard4 ,the male peregrine--always called a tiercel 7tassel1 or tiercelet71 because he is about a third smaller in size than his sister--may be flown at gulls1 teal1 widgeon1 partridges1 woodcock1 landrail1 starling1 and the smaller sea birds1 magpies1 and doves2 and when exceptionally strong and courageous1 will succeed to a greater or less extent with rooks1 crows1 jackdaws1 grouse1 wood-pigeons1 and kestrels4 ,in ,india and ,eastern countries the francolin and the florican1 and several sorts of duck and plovers1 may be added to the list4 ,the peregrine at different ages was described in old times by a great variety of names1 some of which are now little used1 or even understood4 ,thus1 in the eyrie or nest1 from the time when she was disclosed1 or hatched1 for a fortnight or three weeks she was called an eyess 7or nyas1 from the ,french niais74 ,when able to move about on her legs she became a ramage hawk2 and when she could jump or flit from branch to branch1 a brancher4 ,after leaving the nest and becoming fledged1 as the term is for other birds1 she was described as a soar-hawk or sore-hawk 7,french1 sor1 from the ,latin saurus1 reddish brown72 and when her feathers were all fully grown down she was said to be summed1 whereas before this time she remained unsummed4 ,the period during which she could properly be called a soar-hawk lasted1 according to some eminent writers1 from ,june #ae to ,september #ae1 when the migrating time begins1 and she came to be more properly spoken of as a passage-hawk 7or true plrin74 ,this designation carried her down to the end of the year1 when she assumed1 according to the ,french falconers1 the title of antennaire2 that is to say1 a hawk whose feathers1 or whose whole self1 belong to last year 7antan74 ,many of the ,english falconers1 however1 gave her no new title until at or near the arrival of ,lent1 when they called her a ,lantiner1 ,lentener1 or ,lent-hawk1 for as long as ,lent lasted1 that is to say1 till near moulting-time4 ,the great similarity of the two names ,lantiner and ,antennaire1 given as they were to the same hawk at the same time of her life in the two countries1 suggests a strong doubt whether the former was not a mere corruption of the latter4 ,during the whole of this time the unmoulted peregrine was known1 from the colour of her plumage1 as a red hawk2 and this term is still constantly employed4 ,many writers also called her during the same period merely a soar-hawk1 neglecting the finer distinctions4 ,it seems also that for a hawk which had been taken in ,august or thereabouts1 and kept in captivity1 it was quite correct to continue the name soar until her first moult was over4 ,passage-hawks and lantiners were those only which had been caught in late autumn or late winter2 and these words could never be used for such as had been caught before4 ,as for the terms gentle and slight1 they seem most properly to belong to peregrines which had been caught after they left the nest1 but before they began to migrate4 ,in spring or early summer the young peregrine naturally begins to moult2 and as soon as this tedious operation is concluded she becomes1 if wild1 a haggard1 and if tame1 an intermewed hawk4 ,in any case she is described as blue1 and not red4 ,there is some doubt as to the meaning of the term haggard1 many authorities1 including the lexicographers1 deriving it from the ,saxon hag1 meaning hedge4 ,a more rational explanation seems to be that which traces it to the ,hebrew word agar or hagar1 meaning wild1 as it is used in the ,old ,testament4 ,wildness1 indeed1 is always regarded by ,shakespeare and other writers as the characteristic of the adult wild hawk1 and not any liking for hedges1 to which no peregrine is very partial4 ,the language1 or jargon1 of falconry appropriated to the falcon1 and1 by analogy1 to other hawks1 especially of the long-winged species1 special terms for various parts of her body and various movements and conditions2 much in the same way as several of the ,oriental languages describe the actions of royalty by special names4 ,thus her wings are sails3 the long feathers of them are flight feathers2 and of these the outer are principals2 and next to them are the flags4 ,her tail is her train2 and the two central feathers of it are deck feathers4 ,her lower leg is an arm1 and her foot a hand1 with petty singles instead of toes1 and talons instead of vulgar claws4 ,her nostrils are nares2 her breast feathers are mails2 her lower intestine is her pannel2 and her crop her gorge4 ,a host of the commonest actions are dignified by more or less quaint appellations4 ,when a hawk sleeps she jowks2 when she sips water she bowses4 ,when she seizes her quarry in the air she binds to it2 and when her companion in the flight comes up and also takes hold1 she or he is said to join4 ,when she strips the feathers of the pelt1 or dead body1 of the quarry1 she deplumes2 and as she passes the food from her crop downwards she puts over4 ,to endue is to digest2 to feak is to wipe her beak after eating2 to rouse is to shake herself2 to mantle is to stretch out the leg in a sideways and backward direction1 and afterwards stretch the wing over it2 to mute is to evacuate2 and to cast is to throw up the refuse feathers1 bones1 and other indigestible matter which remains in her crop after a meal has been digested4 ,when a hawk is pushed or forcibly held down by the hands she is said to be cast 7,french1 abattue72 and when she is bound up in a wrapping1 so as not to be able to move1 she is mailed4 ,when a silk thread is passed by means of a needle through the upper eyelids and made fast under the chin she is said to be seeled1 and the process of undoing these fastenings is called unseeling4 ,when she stretches her wings upwards over her head she warbles4 ,when quarry is put up for her1 she is served with it4 ,when she drives a quarry to take refuge in covert she is said to put in2 and when she rises in the air over the place where the quarry has gone into hiding she makes her point4 ,if instead of doing this she goes and takes perch on a tree or other place of vantage1 she blocks4 ,when her digestive organs are brought into good condition she is said to be enseamed4 ,most of these words can be used indifferently for both long-winged and short-winged hawks2 but others are inappropriate for the latter4 ,thus it is wrong to call the claws of a short-winged hawk talons2 and a goshawk or sparrow-hawk does not mute1 but slice4 ,black ,shaheen 7,falco peregrinator1 or ,falco atriceps7 ,this hawk is decidedly smaller than the true peregrine1 the female hardly exceeding a big tiercel in length or weight4 ,it is distinguished by the darker colour of its head1 and especially of the sides and moustachial streak1 which may be called black4 ,the under parts of the body have a more or less pronounced rufous tinge2 and the ends of the wings1 when closed1 approach more nearly to the end of the tail4 ,the black shaheen is docile1 and more easily reclaimed than the peregrine2 and is a great favourite with some of the ,indian falconers1 although the many distinguished ,europeans who have flown hawks in that country express themselves less satisfied1 and rather doubt the courage of peregrinator in the field4 ,the quarry is the same as that of the peregrine1 but it is only the strongest individuals which can be expected to cope with such heavy birds as the latter can tackle4 ,of the rapidity of its flight there can be no doubt2 but ,colonel ,delm ,radcliffe says that it is inferior to the peregrine in ringing flights4 ,red-naped ,shaheen 7,falco babylonicus7 ,female--,length1 about #ag-a_/d inches2 wing1 #ac2 tail1 #g-a_/d4 ,male--,length1 #ae-a_/b inches2 wing1 about #aa-c_/d2 tail1 #f-a_/d4 ,this is another very near relation of the peregrine1 also a favourite with the ,indian falconers1 both native and ,european4 ,it is slightly smaller than the black shaheen1 from which1 as well as from ,f4 peregrinus1 it is readily distinguished by the reddish chestnut colour of the back of the head4 ,the foot is smaller proportionately than that of the peregrine1 and shaped rather more like that of the desert falcons4 ,it is easily caught and reclaimed1 and is said to develop a sort of affection for its trainer4 ,when trained it is a most useful servant1 and will fly with readiness and success at almost any of the innumerable ,indian birds which are anywhere nearly of its own size4 ,it excels particularly in the flight at wild ducks2 and a specimen which was brought to ,england not many years ago proved a first-rate game-hawk4 ,latham asserts that it can be flown successfully at wild geese1 but should be followed closely by well-mounted men1 who should dismount quickly and secure the quarry1 which may otherwise severely damage the hawk with its long and strong wings4 ,he appears to have known a tiercel which flew rooks1 and seldom missed as much as one in ten flights4 ,it is a better moulter than the peregrine1 and can sometimes be fully moulted by ,august4 ,barbary ,falcon 7,falco barbarus7 ,female--,length1 about #ac-a_/b inches2 wing1 #aa-a_/b2 tail1 #e-a_/b4 ,male--,length1 about #ab-c_/d inches2 wing1 #aj-c_/d2 tail1 #e4c4 ,this beautifully-shaped hawk is the smallest of those which have been commonly called miniature peregrines2 and the resemblance is hardly so marked in either of the last-mentioned varieties4 ,for the barbary is even more powerfully armed and feathered than her bigger cousins1 having not only the wings conspicuously longer and more pointed than ,f4 peregrinus1 but also distinctly larger feet and talons1 and a larger beak proportionately to her size4 ,the colouring is the same as that of the peregrine1 except that the young birds are generally lighter1 especially about the head1 which has a slightly ruddy tint2 and the feet are more usually yellow than grey-blue4 ,in adults the thighs are strongly marked with arrow-headed streaks4 ,this hawk is sometimes called the ,tartaret4 ,it is found in the southern portion of the temperate zone1 especially on the ,african and other shores of the ,mediterranean4 ,the falcons and strong tiercels will fly well at partridges1 pigeons1 and doves4 ,quails1 of course1 are easily taken by them1 as they are exceedingly fast on the wing4 ,if a cast of haggards could be trained for peewit or snipe1 and well entered1 they would probably have as good a chance as any hawk which could be selected for these difficult flights4 ,lesser ,falcon 7,falco minor7 ,this hawk very much resembles the last1 but has longer legs1 and a slight rufous tinge on the plumage4 ,it is found chiefly in ,south ,africa4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the ,punic ,falcon 7,f4 punicus71 the ,javanese ,falcon 7,f4 melanogenys71 and the ,chilian ,falcon 7,f4 cassini71 all more or less resemble the peregrine1 but with variations in the colour of the plumage1 and of smaller dimensions4 ,saker 7,falco sacer7 ,the measurements of this hawk1 as of a great many others1 are given in the so-called scientific books1 even of highest repute1 with hopeless inaccuracy4 ,one of the authorities which is most often referred to gives the length of the female saker as #ah-a_/b inches1 or the same as the peregrine1 whereas every naturalist ought to know that the saker is a very much larger bird4 ,on the other hand1 the ,royal ,natural ,history 7#ahie71 coming much nearer the truth1 says that the female falls but little short of #be inches1 and the male measures more than #ah-a_/b4 ,the proportions of this hawk1 excepting the feet1 do not differ greatly from those of the ger1 although the colourings and general appearance are completely dissimilar4 ,the weak point1 from the falconer's point of view1 is the smallness of the feet and shortness of the middle toe1 as well as the poor quality of the feathers1 which have about them none of the glossy smartness so noticeable in the ger and the peregrine4 ,young birds have the crown and nape buffy white1 lighter on the forehead and over the eyebrows1 and in other parts profusely streaked with dark brown4 ,the upper plumage is a rather dull dark brown1 with fulvous and rufous buff edgings4 ,the tail1 excepting the deck feathers1 is marked with irregular oval spots1 which range themselves into a sort of band4 ,there is a distinct moustachial stripe4 ,the under parts are buff-coloured1 liberally streaked with splashes of dark brown1 especially on the flanks2 but the buff colour grows lighter on the upper parts1 and at the chin becomes nearly white4 ,the cere1 legs1 and feet are pale bluish or greenish grey4 ,in adults the head becomes much lighter1 and sometimes dull white1 but with a more or less rufous brown tint and streaks of darker colour4 ,the upper parts are dull and rather pale brown1 the feathers margined1 and in some parts barred1 with light fulvous buff4 ,the flight feathers are faintly barred with a lighter brown1 and all the tail feathers barred with light buff4 ,the sides of the face1 chin1 throat1 and breast are nearly white1 the latter being spotted rather than streaked with brown1 but not transversely barred4 ,the moustachial streak fades away4 ,the cere1 feet1 and legs assume a more or less pronounced yellow colour4 ,the saker is a tolerably common bird throughout almost the whole of ,central and ,southern ,asia1 and is there very highly valued for practical purposes4 ,it was also largely imported into ,western ,europe in the ,middle ,ages1 and later it was used even in ,france and ,england for the flight at kites4 ,it is for this fine sport that it is now chiefly prized in ,india4 ,the list of quarry taken by this very serviceable hawk is extremely large1 and includes1 besides the various kinds of tropical kites1 hubara1 or bustard1 herons1 black ibis1 ducks1 and a whole host of smaller birds4 ,the flight at the short-eared owl is especially fine1 and the quarry often rings1 and attains to a very great height before the saker can get up4 ,the female saker will take hares well1 and also ravine deer4 ,the tiercel of the saker is more properly called a sakret1 sakeret1 or sackeret4 ,this hawk is the largest of those called desert-hawks or desert-falcons4 ,lanner 7,falco lanarius7 ,female--,length1 #ah inches2 wing1 #ac4c2 tail1 #g4b4 ,male or ,lanneret--,length1 #af-a_/b inches2 wing1 #ab2 tail1 #f-a_/b4 ,the dimensions of this desert-hawk do not differ widely from those of the peregrine1 but the feet are much smaller1 and the tail longer4 ,the feathers are of an inferior quality1 and the light colour of the head prevents all risk of confusion4 ,the wings are slightly longer and heavier4 ,young birds have the whole back up to the nape of the neck and down to the tail coverts dark brown1 each feather tipped with a lighter and more rufous brown4 ,wing and tail feathers darker brown1 narrowly tipped with rufous buff4 ,the deck feathers are plain1 but the others are barred with lighter brown on the upper surface1 and with dull brownish grey bands of two shades underneath4 ,the crown of the head is light greyish buff1 with narrow streaks of light brown4 ,the lower plumage is more or less dull white1 very variously marked in different individuals1 but generally with longitudinal splashes of more or less dark brown4 ,the change to the adult plumage is not very marked4 ,the breast markings do not change to transverse bars2 but some old birds have the brown markings so arranged as to appear like irregular bars4 ,these markings1 however1 generally become very sparse1 and often disappear entirely on the throat and upper breast4 ,the upper plumage alters to a slatey brownish grey1 most of the feathers being barred with a darker brown1 and still tipped with a rufous line4 ,the cere and feet change from a bluish to a yellowish grey4 ,the lanner is common in ,north ,africa1 as well as in ,central and ,southern ,asia1 and is very frequently trained and flown in all these parts of the world4 ,it was also formerly very largely imported into ,england1 and used chiefly for game-hawking4 ,it enjoys1 nevertheless1 anything but a good character4 ,the old ,english writers describe it as slothful and hard mettled1 and of an ungrateful disposition1 while the ,french characterise it as vilain and rebelle4 ,the ,indian and ,afghan falconers get it1 as well as the saker1 into condition by frequent physicking2 and the list of drugs formerly used for it in ,england is of portentous length4 ,in modern times the dosing of this as well as other hawks is imperfectly understood by ,european falconers2 and the lanner is consequently in most cases a disappointing bird4 ,when thrown off1 she flies in a heavy style1 and only after considerable delay will begin to mount4 ,very often1 too1 she will not mount at all1 but go to perch on a tree1 or even on the ground4 ,she is apt to rake away and check at pigeons1 plovers1 and what not1 and to be dull and obstinately slow at coming to the lure4 ,to ensure obedience she must be fed a good deal upon washed meat1 and that in moderate quantities1 her appetite1 like that of all the desert-falcons1 being apt to grow slack on the least overfeeding4 ,the lanner is very partial to mice1 and in the wild state appears to devour lizards and other reptiles4 ,she is not1 therefore1 at all particular as to diet1 and may be regaled with coarser food than the nobler falcons4 ,once properly conditioned1 however1 and on her day1 the lanner--or for that matter the lanneret1 as the male is called--is a useful and deadly hawk4 ,both sexes will kill partridges freely1 not waiting on so often when the quarry has put in as taking perch on a neighbouring tree1 and waiting1 like a sparrow-hawk1 to start from there4 ,the female has also been known to take wild-duck well1 and will wait on1 when she likes1 at a stupendous height4 ,for magpies the lanner would hardly be quick enough4 ,pheasants can usually be taken by the females at the first stoop4 ,it is said that the ,arabs fly the lanner at small gazelles and a kind of bustard1 which it stoops at whenever it takes wing1 and without actually striking it1 frightens it on to its legs1 so that it can be run down with hounds4 ,this bird has the faculty of ejecting a slimy matter from its mouth and vent1 which1 if it reached the hawk1 would incapacitate her from flying4 ,ringing flights are flown at a bird called the chakhah1 resembling a golden plover2 and the lanners which excel at this fetch a price equivalent to #ej or #fj4 ,the ,arabs also fly the lanner at sand-grouse and francolin4 ,d',arcussia declares that the sakers and lanners do better in stormy weather and high winds than the peregrine4 ,neither of them bear the heat well in temperate climates4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the ,south ,african ,lanner 7,f4 biarmicus7 and the ,tunisian ,lanner1 or ,alphanet1 are local species1 having a more strongly rufous coloration than ,f4 lanarius4 ,lugger 7,falco jugger7 ,female--,length1 #ag inches2 wing1 #ac4f2 tail1 #h4 ,male--,length1 #ae inches2 wing1 #ab2 tail1 #g4 ,an ,indian hawk1 rarely found out of the peninsula4 ,it is much used by the natives for a variety of quarry1 and does a lot of useful work4 ,eleonora ,falcon 7,falco eleonor7 ,female--,length1 about #ae-a_/b inches2 wing1 #ac4c2 tail1 #g4e4 ,male--,length1 about #ac-a_/b inches2 wing1 #aa4h2 tail1 #f4e4 ,this is a hawk of the hobby type1 much darker on the under parts1 and with a good deal of black and rufous on the under surface of the wings4 ,the feet are at first pale yellow1 developing later into orange4 ,the wings are long1 but do not project1 like the hobby's1 beyond the tail4 ,this hawk is common on the eastern shores of the ,mediterranean4 ,it was observed and reported upon by ,brooke in ,sardinia1 and ,kruper in ,greece1 which latter observes that it is a noble falcon1 and was in early ages used for falconry4 ,i have not discovered the chapter or verse in which this use is mentioned2 but the hawk is obviously quite big enough to be flown at partridges1 if willing to go4 ,both the above-named naturalists maintain that its food consists principally of birds1 and ,dr4 ,kruper declares that he found in its nests the remains of six different kinds of bird1 including quail and hoopoe4 ,a specimen was trained by ,lord ,lilford in #ahfh1 who found it very obedient to the lure1 but of no use in the field4 ,hobby 7,falco sabbuteo7 ,female--,length1 #ac to #ac-a_/b inches2 wing1 #aa-a_/d2 tail1 #f-a_/d4 ,male--,length1 #aa to #ab inches2 wing1 about #aj-a_/b2 tail1 #e-a_/b4 ,this very beautiful and graceful little hawk may at once be identified by the exceeding length of its wings1 which1 when closed1 extend a full half-inch beyond the end of the tail4 ,it is conspicuous also by its very marked colouring1 which is in young birds almost black on the upper parts1 each feather1 however1 being tipped with fulvous brown4 ,the lower plumage is creamy white1 streaked profusely with dark brown splashes1 and tinted on the throat and sides of the head with a warm buff4 ,there is a broad black patch below the eye1 and a black eyebrow1 with a small streak of buff above it4 ,the moustache is broad and strongly marked4 ,the cere is greenish grey2 and the feet1 originally of the same hue1 develop gradually into light yellow1 and later into gamboge and bright orange4 ,the deck feathers are plain1 but all the others are barred both above and below by about ten cross-bands of lighter brown4 ,in adults the upper plumage changes to a uniform dark slate colour1 nearly black towards the head4 ,the flanks and thighs1 especially in the male1 assume a more and more distinct rufous colour4 ,the feet are proportionately small1 and the legs decidedly weak4 ,there are strong evidences that the hobby1 when commonly bred in ,western ,europe1 was used with success for taking larks1 not only by the process of daring referred to later on in the chapter on lark-hawking1 but in actual flight1 and that the female was used for taking partridges in the same way4 ,the failure of modern falconers to make any practical use of this elegant and prepossessing hawk1 is noticed in detail in the same chapter4 ,owing to its natural tameness1 the hobby is especially liable to fall a victim to persecution by gamekeepers and naturalists1 and has as a result been nearly exterminated in ,england4 ,a wild hobby has been seen by credible witnesses to take a swift on the wing in ,bulgaria4 ,a trained female has been known in ,england to take house-pigeons4 ,merlin 7,falco salon7 ,female--,length1 #aa-a_/b to #ab inches2 wing1 #h-a_/b to #i2 tail1 #e-a_/d to #e-c_/d2 weight1 about #h oz4 ,male--,length1 #aj-a_/b to #aa inches2 wing1 #h to #h-a_/d2 tail1 #d-c_/d to #e2 weight1 #f-a_/d to #f-c_/d oz4 ,females and young males have the whole upper plumage a rich chocolate brown1 with reflections of purplish grey1 each feather on the back and upper wing coverts tipped with a somewhat lighter brown1 and crossed by a buff bar1 which is usually not to be seen except when the plumage is disarranged or ruffled4 ,each feather also has a black shaft1 which is conspicuous in strong lights on a close view4 ,the primaries and all the principal feathers of the wing are very dark brown on the upper surface1 barred with several patches of light brown or buff4 ,the under surface of the wing is very light silvery grey1 with numerous bars and spots of brownish grey1 each feather having a dark grey shaft1 which is white underneath4 ,the tail feathers on the upper surface are of a slightly lighter brown than the back1 and light grey underneath1 barred with more or less oblique bands1 which are buff-coloured above1 and light grey-brown underneath1 and are all tipped with white4 ,the under plumage of the body is creamy white1 more or less tinged with light buff1 especially on the sides of the head and throat4 ,it is liberally streaked with longitudinal splashes of dark brown1 which on the upper throat are very small1 but on the lower flanks are broad and large4 ,there is a facial patch and a moustache of dark brown1 but these are not so strongly marked as in the peregrine and hobby4 ,the beak is light blue1 darkening to indigo1 and at the tip to black4 ,the cere and eyelids1 light bluish grey4 ,the legs and feet vary from light greenish or blueish grey to light yellow4 ,the toes are long1 thin1 and flexible4 ,adult females do not change1 except that they lose much or all of the purplish sheen of nestlings1 and that the edging of the feathers is less marked4 ,adult males undergo a very striking transformation4 ,the whole upper plumage changes from brown to a rich bluish slate colour1 deepening in the long wing feathers to greyish black4 ,instead of the light bars on the tail1 there is a single broad grey-black band nearly at the extreme end4 ,the breast at the same time assumes a warmer tint1 deepening from cream colour at the chin to a rich buff lower down1 and deep russet at the flanks4 ,the cere1 eyelids1 legs1 and feet assume a deep golden or light orange colour4 ,the wing and tail feathers have a stronger and stiffer appearance than before the moult1 and those of the tail are generally somewhat shorter as well as stouter than they were4 ,very old females occasionally1 but not often1 put on the livery of the adult male2 and this is the case sometimes also with old female kestrels4 ,in merlins of both sexes the third feather of the wing is usually exactly equal in length to the second1 and it is only exceptionally that it is even fractionally shorter4 ,the name merlin is in orthodox phraseology reserved to the female merlin only1 the male being more properly spoken of as a jack4 ,the former1 when exceptionally strong and courageous1 may be flown with some success at partridges1 and will also take house-pigeons and probably doves4 ,they have been known to capture and kill wood-pigeons4 ,both sexes may be flown at quails1 and are more deadly at this business than sparrow-hawks4 ,in the wild state they kill blackbirds1 thrushes1 starlings1 and almost all kinds of small birds1 and the trained birds may be kept with more or less success to any one of these birds of quarry4 ,it has been thought that a good cast of merlins might take snipe1 and it is said that such a feat has been in former times achieved4 ,with tropical snipe in an overfed or moulting condition1 it is possible that this might still be done2 but it is to be greatly doubted whether any trained merlin or merlins could take fully-moulted ,english snipe4 ,the flight1 however1 for which merlins are usually reserved1 and for which they are renowned1 is that at moulting skylarks1 and in this sport the jacks are very nearly as successful as their sisters1 as will be seen in the chapter on lark-hawking4 ,the merlin will follow her quarry when she can into covert2 and when her victim is larger than herself1 kills it by strangulation1 gripping it tightly round the neck4 ,indian ,merlin 7,falco chicquera7 ,this hawk1 a little larger than the ,european merlin1 is flown at much the same quarry1 but also at rollers and hoopoes1 which latter afford a fine ringing flight4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the ,african ,merlin 7,f4 ruficollis7 has the markings on the breast closer together4 ,kestrel 7,falco tinnunculus7 ,female--,length1 about #ac inches2 wing1 #i2 tail1 #g4 ,male--,length1 about #ab inches2 wing1 #h-a_/d2 tail1 #f-a_/b4 ,females and young males have the upper plumage reddish brown1 transversely barred on the shoulders1 wing coverts1 and tail with black2 the flight feathers1 blackish brown2 the under plumage1 very pale fawn colour1 streaked on the breast1 and splashed on the lower part with brown4 ,adult males have the head1 lower part of the back1 and upper surface of tail1 light slatey grey4 ,the tail with a broad black band near the end1 and tipped with white2 and the head with dark shaft-streaks2 the shoulders1 upper back1 and upper wing coverts1 pale chestnut1 with small black spots of a triangular shape4 ,the wings1 dark horn colour1 with lighter edging4 ,the under plumage1 pale fawn colour1 becoming more rufous at the lower part and on the thighs2 streaked with dark brown splashes on the breast1 and spots on the abdomen4 ,the cere1 feet1 and legs are pale greyish yellow in the young1 and brighter in the adult4 ,this little hawk has1 structurally1 all the characteristics of what the naturalists call a true falcon--more so1 in fact1 than the more highly reputed merlin4 ,its shape1 indeed1 but for a want of size in the feet and a somewhat exaggerated length of tail1 is very symmetrical1 and indicative of fine flying powers4 ,it is the least shy and most familiar of all ,european hawks1 and survives in tolerably large numbers throughout ,england1 where1 together with the owls1 it is a chief agent in keeping down the inordinate increase of mice4 ,its powers of flight are very considerable2 and it remains on the wing generally for a considerable part of the day1 not soaring so much as beating the ground at a height of two or three score feet1 and hovering from time to time with its eye on any small creature that may be moving about or hiding in the grass below4 ,but notwithstanding its fine proportions1 its muscular power is not great1 and its extreme pace is not to be compared with that of the merlin4 ,if pursued by a fairly good peregrine in a pretty open place1 it frequently succumbs4 ,in the field a kestrel is of no practical use4 ,it will indeed generally take sparrows and other small birds thrown up from the hand when it is waiting on4 ,and instances have been known where it has flown and taken a few wild birds4 ,there is even a story extant of an eyess kestrel which was flown at a young partridge and took it4 ,but these facts1 if true1 must have been entirely exceptional4 ,as a rule the trained kestrel refuses all wild quarry1 and it has never been known to persevere in killing any4 ,i am not sure whether a fair attempt has been made to fly her at rats1 which would probably afford the best chance4 ,but kestrels can be reclaimed and taught to fly to the lure in exactly the same way as the proudest peregrine or the most majestic ger4 ,they will wait on beautifully1 and stoop very prettily at the lure4 ,and while at hack their movements are exceedingly lively and graceful4 ,thus for a beginner the kestrel is1 in my opinion1 undoubtedly the most suitable hawk upon which he can try his hand4 ,in the breeding season eyesses may be procured pretty easily1 and at an insignificant cost2 and throughout the year many of both sexes are captured in the nets of bird-catchers1 who would part with them readily for a few shillings if they were notified beforehand that any amateur would give a fair price for the captives4 ,in reclaiming and manning a kestrel1 in learning how to keep her feathers unbroken and clean1 how to hood her1 bathe her1 house her1 and weather her1 and how to diet her1 the tyro can very easily and cheaply acquire all that elementary knowledge of the difficult art of falconry which it is advisable that he should possess before he attempts to succeed in training and flying a valuable hawk4 ,whereas if1 without any preliminary experience1 he begins1 as so many writers advise him1 with an eyess merlin1 he is almost certain to meet with a more or less discouraging failure4 ,far better to observe the old maxim1 ,fiat experimentum in corpore vili4 ,let the young falconer not attempt to run before he can walk fairly well4 ,when he has taught his kestrel to wait on and stoop to the lure1 and has either by preventive care or by successful imping got her in perfect plumage1 let him feed her up and whistle her down the wind to shift for herself1 and then consider himself qualified to make a more serious attempt with a sparrow-hawk1 merlin1 or peregrine4 ,illustration3 ,,trained ,,kestrel ,,thunderbolt ,,owned ,,by ,,mr4 ,r4 ,,gardner ,,ii4 ,,the ,,short-,,winged ,,hawks ,regarded from the falconer's point of view1 the short-winged hawk differs essentially from her more honourable cousin of the long wings in the following particulars4 ,she cannot be taught to wait on in the air4 ,although she will on occasions stoop from above at her quarry1 she does not habitually capture it by a downward stroke or blow1 but by following it from behind and trussing or binding to it4 ,she manifests her readiness to fly by a condition of body which is called by the quaint1 and apparently ,oriental1 name of yarak1 in which she shows evident signs of eagerness and excitement1 and is obviously on the qui vive--attentive to every sight and sound which she may suppose to indicate the presence of quarry or the hope of a flight4 ,she kills her quarry1 when taken1 by crushing it in her strong foot and piercing it with her long and sharp claws1 or pounces4 ,she follows her quarry1 when it is possible1 into covert2 and when this is not possible she takes stand readily on some convenient resting-place1 such as the branch of a tree1 the top of a wall1 or on her trainer's fist4 ,as a general rule she does not need to be kept to any one particular quarry1 or flown at any particular time of day1 but may be thrown off at anything1 whether fur or feather1 which she thinks she can take1 and will do almost any amount of work at almost any hour4 ,it will thus be seen that though1 from the purely artistic and sporting standpoint1 the long-winged hawk deserves the more honourable place which has always been accorded to her in the most civilised countries1 yet1 taking the more material and matter-of-fact view of the matter1 and regarded as a pot-hunter1 the short-winged is at least equal to her in merit4 ,there is1 it is true1 in the flight of the latter little of the grandeur and dramatic excitement which so often attend the efforts of the former4 ,no silent pause while the pointer stands and the hawk mounts steadily to her lofty pride of place above him4 ,no spiral climbing of quarry and hawk into the distant blue sky4 ,no lightning descent1 which in a second or two brings down the hawk from hundreds of yards high to within a few feet of her trainer's head4 ,but there is plenty of excitement of a different and not less healthy kind4 ,the wary stalking of a shy quarry while the well-trained hawk on the fist trembles with eagerness for the chase4 ,the rush and bustle of the start2 the quick burst of riding or running to keep the chase in view2 the hurry and scurry when the quarry has to be routed out from his place of refuge2 the tussle for mastery when he has once been seized2 and1 last but not least1 the abundance and variety of the bag which on a successful day is carried home4 ,one very great advantage attached to the short-winged hawk is that she can be flown in an enclosed country1 or at least in places which are only very moderately open4 ,woods and forests are of course tabooed2 and any land which is very undulating or very steep should be avoided4 ,but the grass land and arable land which is commonly found in some four-fifths of the area of ,england1 and especially that part of it which is not cut up into too small fields1 is available1 as well as the downs and commons1 even though an occasional spinny or small plantation intrudes itself into the campaigning ground4 ,another merit of the short-winged hawk is that she is less likely to be lost4 ,trained as she is1 or should be1 upon missing her quarry1 to come back to the falconer himself1 and remain with him until her quarry is again actually on the wing1 or1 in the case of ground-game1 on its legs1 there is little temptation either to rake away or to check4 ,again1 the length of the flights1 counting each separate bout in the pursuit as a flight1 is very much less2 so that the falconer--or ostringer1 to give him his correct name--has a far better chance of keeping in sight when the quarry is either taken or put in4 ,finally1 neither of the species of short-winged hawks usually trained and flown is much addicted to the vice of carrying2 and thus the risk of losing a hawk or wasting valuable time by reason of this vexatious habit is much less to be feared4 ,it should perhaps be added that constant exercise is less necessary for a short-winged than for a long-winged hawk1 as the former may be left idle for considerable periods1 and when brought into yarak again seems to have lost little if any of her speed or her merits4 ,at the same time1 the temper and disposition of the short-winged hawks are undeniably worse at the first than those of the long-winged4 ,both goshawks and sparrow-hawks1 whether eyesses or wild caught1 are naturally suspicious and mistrustful of mankind4 ,they are easily alarmed1 and very ready to take offence1 and1 once alienated or frightened1 can with difficulty be conciliated4 ,savage and vindictive by nature and habit1 they are subject to almost ungovernable fits of rage and sulkiness1 which can only be subdued and guarded against by the exercise of much patience and good temper on the part of the trainer4 ,they are jealous and cruel1 and cannot1 as a rule1 be flown in company with other hawks1 even of their own species and sex4 ,once lost for any considerable time they resort to their wild habits1 and are difficult to recapture4 ,unless carefully dieted they are very subject to apoplectic fits4 ,their long tails1 although flexible and elastic under moderate pressure1 will not always stand a very severe strain1 and are likely1 in a serious struggle either with any big quarry or with an awkward trainer1 to be broken4 ,the short-winged hawks should generally be belled on the tail4 ,they are apt sometimes to crouch down on their quarry when taken1 in which case a bell on the leg is hardly sounded4 ,besides this1 if flown when snow is on the ground1 the snow will choke the bell and make it useless4 ,taking the whole world over1 the families of the goshawks and sparrow-hawks1 which practically merge into one another1 are very extensive1 comprising more than thirty species1 many of which could without doubt be pressed into the service of man4 ,only three of these have1 however1 commonly been trained4 ,goshawk 7,astur palumbarius7 ,female--,length1 #bb to #bd inches2 wing1 #ab-a_/b to #ac-a_/b2 tail1 #aj to #ab2 tarsus1 about #c4e4 ,male--,length1 #ai-a_/b to #ba-a_/b inches2 wing1 #aj-a_/d to #ab-a_/b2 tail1 #i to #aj2 tarsus1 about #c4 ,females and young males have the upper plumage a dull liver brown1 broadly margined and barred with much lighter brown2 the tail1 barred with five broad bands1 dark brown4 ,the under surface of the tail is pale whitish grey1 with five bands of dark brownish grey4 ,the rest of the under plumage is pale or rusty cream colour1 tinted more or less faintly with salmon pink1 and streaked irregularly on the breast and flanks with longitudinal patches or splashes of dark brown4 ,the cere and legs are greenish yellow4 ,the eyes are very light1 and clear yellowish grey1 and so bright that the ,greeks gave to this hawk the name of ,greek3 asterias ierax1 the star-eyed hawk4 ,adult males have a decided grey tint on the upper and under plumage4 ,at the first moult both sexes change the longitudinal streaks on the breast1 thighs1 and flanks into more or less irregular bars of dark greyish brown2 and as they grow older the bars usually become narrower and more regular4 ,the tail is now barred on both surfaces with four broad bands of dark brown or grey4 ,the cere1 legs1 and feet become yellow2 and the eyes change to a deeper yellow1 and ultimately to deeper and darker orange4 ,goshawks vary greatly in size and strength4 ,those which are imported from ,norway are often exceptionally big and strong1 while the specimens from ,germany and ,central ,europe have a reputation for weakness4 ,although this hawk formerly bred commonly in ,england1 it is now practically extinct2 but some nests are still annually found in ,france4 ,the list of quarry at which the goshawk may be flown is very large1 including1 for the ,british islands1 hares1 rabbits1 stoats1 weasels1 squirrels1 and rats2 herons and wild ducks--flown as they rise--pheasants1 partridges1 landrails1 water-hens1 jays1 and an occasional magpie or wood-pigeon4 ,in fact1 any moderate-sized bird which gets up close in front of a goshawk must bustle himself if he intends to escape the first quick dash of this impetuous and greedy pursuer4 ,in ,india and other tropical countries the female goss will fly1 with a good start1 at crows1 neophrons1 minas1 florikin1 francolin1 jungle-fowl1 and even such big birds as kites1 geese1 cranes1 and pea-fowl4 ,even in ,england she was formerly flown with success at cranes1 wild geese1 and other large water-fowl2 and the old books contain elaborate directions as to stalking these birds with grey goshawk on hand4 ,in some parts of ,asia goshawks are said to have been flown at ravine deer and bustard2 but this would probably be with some assistance from dogs4 ,the male goshawk1 much smaller in size than his sisters1 is less valuable to the sportsman1 but is usually accounted rather swifter on the wing4 ,the best specimens will catch a partridge in fair flight2 and most of them1 with a tolerably good start1 will overtake a pheasant4 ,a very strong male will sometimes catch and hold a full-grown rabbit1 and the others may be expected to kill half-grown rabbits and leverets1 if kept to such quarry4 ,landrails and water-hens make a more or less easy flight4 ,jays and magpies may sometimes be taken1 as well as blackbirds4 ,rats1 weasels1 squirrels1 and such small deer are1 of course1 available4 ,occasional specimens of the male goshawk are extraordinarily fast and strong4 ,colonel ,delm ,radcliffe had one which actually killed grouse in ,scotland1 and another which took storks and geese in ,india1 as well as partridges4 ,sparrow-,hawk 7,accipiter nisus7 ,female--,length1 #ad to #af inches2 wing1 #h-a_/b to #i-a_/b2 tail1 #g-a_/b to #g-c_/d2 tarsus1 #b4d4 ,male--,length1 #aa-a_/b to #ab-a_/b inches2 wing1 #g-a_/b to #h-a_/d2 tail1 #f to #f-a_/b2 tarsus1 #b4a4 ,the sparrow-hawk is remarkable for its very long and slender legs and middle toe1 and its small head4 ,young females have the beak and upper plumage sepia brown1 each feather edged with rufous brown2 the nape varied with white or rufous white4 ,the wing feathers are dark brown1 with five bars of still darker brown on the outer primaries4 ,the tail rather lighter brown1 with five dark brown bars4 ,the under plumage is dull white1 more or less tinged with rufous1 spotted with irregular patches1 streaks1 or bars of greyish brown4 ,in the adult the brown of the upper plumage assumes a slatey grey hue1 and the edgings of lighter colour vanish4 ,the breast and under parts are barred with transverse markings of mixed fulvous and brown1 and develop a rusty red colouring on the abdomen and inner thighs4 ,the legs and feet become more distinctly yellow or gold colour1 and the eye deepens in colour to light and ultimately to dark orange4 ,males in the immature plumage differ from females only in having a somewhat more rufous hue on the lighter part4 ,but after the moult this rufous colouring becomes still more conspicuous1 and spreads to the flanks and under surface of the wings1 as well as to the upper throat4 ,in both sexes the bars on the breast and thighs become narrower and of a fainter grey as the birds grow older2 and the eyes deepen in colour4 ,female sparrow-hawks--very much bigger and stronger than their brothers--may be flown at any bird of the size of a partridge1 or smaller1 which is not very swift or quick in shifting4 ,in the wild state they undoubtedly kill a certain number of wood-pigeons1 taking them at some disadvantage1 as1 for instance1 when they pass under a tree in which the hawk is at perch4 ,probably the wild sparrow-hawk also picks up an occasional peewit1 snipe1 or woodcock4 ,she is fond of young pheasants1 which she will pick up from the ground when insufficiently guarded by the mother or foster-mother4 ,young chickens sometimes undergo the same fate under similar circumstances4 ,the uses of the trained sparrow-hawk1 both male and female1 are described in the chapter devoted to this hawk4 ,besra ,sparrow-,hawk 7,accipiter virgatus7 ,this species1 considerably smaller than ,a4 nisus1 is very common in the tropics1 both in the wild and in the trained state1 and is thought by many to be quite equal1 if not superior1 to it in courage and ability4 ,other sparrow-hawks which may be trained include the large species called the ,levant sparrow-hawk 7,a4 brevipes71 ,a4 minullus and ,a4 tinus1 from ,south ,america1 ,a4 cirrocephalus1 from ,australia1 ,a4 badius1 and the miniature ,a4 polyzonoides4 ,,iii4 ,,the ,,eagles ,in ,western ,europe no great use seems to have been made by the old falconers of any kind of eagle4 ,d',arcussia in the early editions of his book makes no reference to them as objects of the trainer's care1 and some of the early ,english authors expressly speak of them as useless to the falconer by reason of their great weight1 making it impossible1 as they believed1 to carry them on the fist1 and also their powers of fasting1 which1 they supposed1 precluded all chance of reducing them to proper obedience4 ,in the ,east1 however1 they have from time immemorial been trained with success1 and flown at a great variety of quarry suitable to their size and strength4 ,for the far greater part of the knowledge which we now have about flights with eagles1 we are indebted to ,mr4 ,j4 ,e4 ,harting1 who obtained much valuable information on this subject from the late ,mr4 ,constantine ,haller1 an enthusiastic falconer1 and president of a ,russian falconry club which had its headquarters at ,st4 ,petersburg in #ahhd-he4 ,notwithstanding the efforts of these two very competent authorities1 it is still exceedingly difficult to say with any certainty what sorts of eagles are now employed by the ,kirghis and ,turcomans and other ,asiatic peoples1 and what other sorts are regarded as unserviceable4 ,as to the golden eagle and ,bonelli's eagle there is no doubt2 but the evidence as to the others below-mentioned cannot be said to be at all conclusive4 ,the speed of the eagles in ordinary flying is inferior to that of the hawks1 though superior to that of any quadruped at his best pace4 ,their usual mode of capturing their prey when in the wild state1 is by soaring and scanning the ground below1 and1 when they see a good chance1 dropping with a powerful stoop on to the back or head of the victim4 ,in training they cannot be made to wait on1 and must therefore be flown from the fist1 so that winged game of all kinds is usually able to show them1 if not a clean pair of heels1 at least a clean set of tail feathers4 ,consequently their quarry consists almost entirely of four-legged creatures4 ,large birds of various descriptions might be flown at when they are on the ground1 and might be taken before they had time to get fairly on the wing2 but such masquerades of real hawking can hardly be called flights4 ,the golden eagle1 and most other eagles1 are naturally more or less ill-tempered1 and require the exercise of considerable patience on the part of the man who undertakes to reclaim them2 but the method employed differs in no material respect from that applied to the short-winged hawk4 ,only1 when a goshawk or sparrow-hawk is once properly reclaimed and manned1 she generally says good-bye to her bad temper4 ,the eagle is said to be sometimes apt1 even when fully trained1 to become so enraged1 either at missing her quarry or by some other contretemps1 that she will attack the men of the party1 and perhaps have a flight at a native just by way of a relief to her outraged feelings4 ,eagles are carried to and in the field on a crutch1 which is formed of an upright pole with a cross-bar at the top1 the lower end of the apparatus being fitted into the saddle1 and the staff of it attached by a strap to the rider's girdle4 ,the lure1 to which they are called when they do not come back to the crutch1 consists of the stuffed skin of an animal made to resemble the quarry at which they are meant to fly4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the following are the eagles best fitted for training3-- ,golden ,eagle 7,aquila chrysaetus7 ,female--,length1 about #ce inches2 wing1 about #bg-a_/b2 tail1 about #ad2 tarsus1 #c4h4 ,male--,length1 about #cb inches2 wing1 #bd-a_/b2 tail1 #ac2 tarsus1 #c4g4 ,the plumage is generally of a ruddy brown or fawn1 inclining in parts to dark brown1 and in others to dull brownish gold4 ,adult females become very dark1 and males also assume a more dusky hue as they grow older4 ,of the fact that the golden eagle is now and has been for centuries commonly trained and flown in ,central ,asia there is no manner of doubt4 ,many excellent authorities maintain that it is the species used by the ,kirghis and other tribes subject or tributary to ,russia under the name of ,kholsan4 ,this was also the opinion of ,m4 ,paul ,gervais1 who became the owner of a veritable ,kholsan1 imported into ,france by ,m4 ,maichin1 who purchased it from the ,kirghis for #dj and a gun4 ,this trained eagle1 which was a female1 would take foxes well1 and after binding to them was accustomed to grip them by the fore part of the mask1 thus obviating the chance of a dangerous bite4 ,in ,central ,asia the ,kholsan is flown at bustard1 hare1 fox1 and antelope2 and the females will tackle such heavy quarry as wild goat1 wolf1 and even wild boar4 ,berkute 7,aquila nobilis7 ,about the identity of this species there is even more doubt than about the ,kholsan4 ,mr4 ,harting inclines to the view that it is no more than a golden eagle in a different phase of its plumage4 ,others suppose that it is the imperial eagle1 and others again regard it as ,bonelli's eagle4 ,it appears that in the ,russian provinces of ,asia it is still more commonly used than the ,kholsan1 and at much the same quarry1 which would suggest the conclusion that it is not at any rate a larger bird than ,a4 ,bonellii4 ,white-,crowned ,eagle 7,halitus leucoryphus7 ,a specimen was owned by a ,russian falconer1 who found it worth while to keep it over two moults1 and must have taken a favourable view of its merits4 ,spotted ,eagle 7,aquila clanga or nvia7 ,this large eagle is trained by the ,kirghis1 under the name of ,kara ,gush1 i4e4 black eagle4 ,imperial ,eagle 7,aquila imperialis7 ,this is a smaller eagle than ,a4 chrysaetus1 the female measuring about #cb inches and the male about #ca4 ,it appears to be susceptible of training1 and is thought by many to be included in the list of eagles commonly used in ,turkestan4 ,it is found throughout the greater part of ,asia1 and occasionally in ,south-,eastern ,europe4 ,steppe ,eagle 7,aquila nipalensis7 ,this bird is described by some naturalists as a hawk-eagle4 ,it is of a taking and sportsmanlike appearance1 the eyes of old specimens being of a fiery yellow1 though in young birds they are dull grey4 ,colonel ,d4 ,radcliffe obtained several specimens in ,india1 both eyess and wild caught4 ,he says that in the wild state it takes pine martens and also the musk deer4 ,bonelli's ,eagle 7,aquila ,bonellii7 ,female--,length1 #bf-a_/b inches2 wing1 #ah-a_/d2 tail1 #aa-a_/b2 tarsus1 #d4 ,male--,length1 #bd-a_/b inches2 wing1 #ag-a_/b2 tail1 #aa-a_/d2 tarsus1 #c4i4 ,this small and rather long-legged eagle is probably the easiest to train1 and the best for purposes of falconry in ,europe1 as it is of a more handy size than the bigger species1 and strong enough for all practical purposes4 ,a trained specimen was kept and flown by ,m4 ,barachin in ,france at hares and rabbits4 ,it is described by ,canon ,tristram as a more dainty feeder than most of the eagles2 and ,mr4 ,hume says that in the wild state it kills many water-fowl4 ,the tail is barred4 ,the weight of the male hardly exceeds #d lbs4 ,in concluding the list it must be observed that several birds which might have been comprised in it are omitted4 ,the ,chinese and ,japanese falconers of bygone times undoubtedly trained hawks which are figured in their books1 but cannot now be identified4 ,falconry is extinct in ,japan1 and nearly so in ,china4 ,the hawks themselves1 which were once highly honoured in their country1 will probably before long be exterminated by the ever-increasing horde of skin-collectors4 ,some readers may be surprised at the exclusion from this list of some such birds as vultures1 buzzards1 and even some owls4 ,these ,i have designedly omitted4 ,i find in a work called the ,natural ,history ,picture-,book a statement by ,mr4 ,wood1 that the kite 7,milvus regalis7 has even been trained for purposes of falconry1 and found to perform its task to the satisfaction of its owner4 ,either the owner must have been very easily pleased1 or the kite must have changed very greatly in disposition and habits within the last few centuries6 ,with shrikes the case is different1 for it appears that they were actually trained to fly at small birds4 ,d',arcussia tells us plainly that amongst the numerous hawking establishments kept up by ,louis ,,xiii4 was one of shrikes1 and relates a very quaint story of one of these little birds owned by the king1 which would fly up to a heron on the wing and whisper in his ear6 ,several of the falconets might certainly be utilised in the field1 and amongst them especially ,feilden's falcon1 which is very common1 very bold1 and very tame4 ,indeed1 some of the ,malays are said to train these little hawks4 ,davison says that he has seen the black-legged falconet 7,hierax fringillarius7 stoop at a rock-thrush1 and killed one on a partly-plucked swallow4 ,other likely varieties are the white-legged and red-legged falconets 7,h4 melanoleucus and ,h4 coerulescens74 ,there can be little doubt that such birds as fly-catchers could be trained and flown at butterflies2 and possibly1 when the naturalists and ,cockney sportsmen and egg-collectors have succeeded by their united efforts in exterminating all hawks1 our descendants may resort to this form of sport as their best substitute for falconry as we now know it4 ,,chapter ,,iii ,furniture and ,fittings ,before the intending falconer takes any preliminary steps even towards becoming the owner of a hawk1 he must make himself thoroughly familiar with the necessary appliances which he will have to use1 and first of all with the hawk's furniture1 or articles of attire and daily use4 ,the jess 7or jesse7 by which the hawk's feet are secured is a strip of leather fastened round the leg1 just above the foot4 ,it is1 of course1 of a different length1 width1 and stoutness1 according to the size of the wearer4 ,for a peregrine or ger the same stuff may be used as for strong riding or driving gloves2 and the softer and more pliable it can be1 consistently with strength1 the better4 ,for a gerfalcon #h in4 is not too long4 ,for a peregrine tiercel #f-a_/b in4 is long enough1 and for hawks of intermediate size the length may vary according to their proportions4 ,in the case of the smaller hawks1 from the female sparrow-hawk to the tiny jack-merlin1 the length for ordinary purposes should be from #d-a_/b in4 to #f-a_/b in4 ,but when a jack-merlin is flying ringing larks late in the season1 or indeed at any time1 and it is important that he should carry the very smallest possible amount of extra luggage1 his jesses may be made out of a thin kid glove1 well stretched and greased1 and need not be more than #c-a_/b in4 long1 by #a_/d in4 wide1 bulging out to #a_/c in4 at the place where they encircle the leg1 and at the other end1 where they are hooked to the swivel4 ,in all cases the jess is attached in the same way4 ,after it has been well stretched and greased1 a short slit is made near the broader end of the leather 7see ,fig4 #a71 and another a little farther down4 ,the distance between the two slits should be about the same as the circumference of the hawk's leg--not greater1 nor much less4 ,this part of the leather between the two slits is applied to the hawk's leg1 and the shorter end1 being brought round the leg1 is pushed through the second slit as far as it will go4 ,then the longer end is in its turn passed through the first slit and pulled tight4 ,some falconers pass the long end of the jess through both slits before pulling it tight2 but the reason for this extra precaution has never been made plain4 ,after the long end has been pulled through--or before1 if preferred--a hole is punched in the leather at a short distance from the tip1 and another and larger slit is made for the purpose of attaching the jess to the swivel4 ,but if the hawk is destined1 immediately after the jesses have been put on1 to be turned out to hack1 this end slit is not required1 and should never be made1 as it is possible that it might loop itself round some thorn or other peg-like object1 and hang up the hawk1 causing her death or some irreparable injury4 ,whenever a jess is released from the swivel1 it is a good plan1 when there is time1 to twirl up the end1 rolling it between the finger and thumb1 so that the slit does not form a loop4 ,it is then less likely1 in case of the hawk being lost1 to lead to a misfortune of the kind referred to4 ,illustration3 ,,hawk',s ,,furniture1 ,i4 #a4 ,,jess #b4 ,,bell #c4 ,,hawk',s ,,foot ,,with ,,bell ,,and ,,jess ,,attached #d4 ,,bell ,,for ,,tail ,,of ,,short-,,winged ,,hawk #e4 ,,bewit #f4 ,,ring ,,swivel #g4 ,,spring ,,swivel #h4 ,,leash1 ,,swivel ,,and ,,jesses #i4 ,,falconer',s ,,knot #aj4 ,,attachment ,,of ,,leash ,,to ,,pole1 ,,perch ,,or ,,cadge ,trained hawks always wear jesses4 ,as soon as one pair is worn1 and shows signs of weakness1 another pair should be put on2 and after they are attached1 the old ones may be cut off with a sharp knife or scissors and thrown away4 ,valuable hawks have been lost by the owner's neglect to renew the jesses4 ,of course it usually happens that one of a pair wears out before the other1 and the breaking of the weakest gives warning before the other has given way4 ,but when one jess has become so dilapidated as to be on the point of breaking1 his fellow will not be in a much better case1 and a jerk caused by suddenly bating at the block1 especially when sitting there after a bath1 may liberate the hawk when you feel least prepared for such a mishap4 ,the old falconers seem to have almost always attached the ends of the jesses to varvels1 which were small rings of silver1 or other metal1 upon which often the name and address of the owner were engraved4 ,possibly the jesses so used were very short1 so that the risk of hooking up did not arise4 ,but the practice has long been abandoned by ,european falconers4 ,bells for trained hawks are of the greatest possible use4 ,they betray the whereabouts of the wearer1 and save an infinity of time and trouble when she has killed out of sight2 and besides this1 they proclaim to every stranger who sees a lost hawk on the wing that she is private property1 and not wild4 ,they are1 practically1 no impediment to the hawk's flight1 except in the case of the very smallest species2 and their sound probably augments the terror inspired in the quarry by a stoop that has only just missed its mark4 ,bells have been used in all countries from time immemorial4 ,the best are now made in ,india2 but for the larger hawks1 those supplied by ,mr4 ,mllen1 at ,valkenswaard1 in ,holland1 are good enough1 and very cheap4 ,the ,european bells are spherical1 with a plain flat shank 7,fig4 #b71 and those of ,indian manufacture are of the shape shown in the illustration 7,fig4 #c74 ,anciently1 silver was much used for bells for the more valuable hawks1 but the metal now used is chiefly brass4 ,a good bell should be capable of being heard distinctly on a still day more than a quarter of a mile1 even if lightly moved4 ,the bell is attached to the hawk's leg by a bewit1 which is fastened on in the same way as the jess4 ,the bewit is a small strip of leather shaped as in ,fig4 #e4 ,it is pulled through the shank of the bell until the latter is at the place indicated by the dotted line near the middle4 ,the shank is applied to the hawk's leg above the jess1 and the end 7,a7 is passed round the leg and pushed through the slit 7,b74 ,then the thicker end is pushed through the slit at the thin end1 and pulled till the ears or jags at the side have come through the opening4 ,these then act as barbs to prevent the end slipping back1 and the thin part of it can be cut off4 ,hack bells are used not only to give notice where the hawk is1 but also to serve as a weight to handicap her when1 at the end of her time of liberty1 she begins to chase chance quarry4 ,they are therefore much bigger1 in proportion to the size of the wearer1 than the bells used in the field4 ,a falcon's or tiercel's bell will not be too big for a merlin or jack4 ,sometimes hawks' bells are even loaded with lead4 ,a merlin which is flying ringing larks does not wear bells1 for it is impossible to get any which are sufficiently light1 and at the same time loud enough to be of any use4 ,short-winged hawks should generally be belled on the tail1 and for this purpose the bewits should be of a different shape1 as in ,fig4 #d4 ,the aperture on each side of the bewit should be made to encircle the shaft of one of the deck feathers1 that is1 the central feathers of the tail1 near to its base2 and the double ends 7,c1 ,c7 should be lapped or tied together with waxed thread1 so that the fastening cannot slip from its place4 ,of course when it is intended to put on new jesses or bewits1 the hawk must be cast1 or held4 ,and some considerable attention is required to cast a hawk properly4 ,to seize an unhooded hawk1 especially short-winged1 and forcibly thrust her down on her breast would constitute1 in her eyes1 a deadly and perhaps unpardonable offence4 ,to meddle with her when she has a full crop would be a great mistake4 ,a time should be chosen when she has little or nothing in her crop4 ,she should be hooded and held on the fist1 while on the operating table is placed a cushion and the apparatus required1 including tweezers and a sharp penknife4 ,then a silk handkerchief1 once folded1 can be thrown over the hawk's shoulders1 and the falconer's assistant1 standing behind the hawk with his hands over her back1 the thumbs close to her back-bone1 will1 with a quick steady lowering of the palms1 grasp her firmly round the body1 with the fingers enclosing the sides of her wings and thighs4 ,lifting her off the fist1 he must deposit her on the cushion1 holding her down steadily on her breast4 ,a man should be employed for this purpose who is not likely to be nervous or flurried4 ,the jesses are made fast to the swivel when the hawk is not intended to fly2 and swivels are of two kinds4 ,the safest 7and the most troublesome to put on and take off7 is the ring-swivel 7,fig4 #f71 consisting of a double ring in the shape of a figure #h1 each end working freely on a pivot which keeps the two rings close together4 ,it is made of brass or iron1 and very good and cheap ones are to be had from ,mr4 ,mllen1 of ,valkenswaard1 in ,north ,brabant4 ,to attach the ring-swivel to the jesses1 pass the end of one jess from right to left through one of the rings1 and1 after it is through1 pass both rings through the slit in the jess1 and pull tight4 ,when the first jess is fast1 pass the end of the other jess through the same ring upon which the first jess is fastened1 but in the opposite direction1 from left to right1 and then pass the two rings through the slit as before4 ,the second jess will pull up tight over the first1 and both will be fixed firmly at the outer end of the same ring4 ,to get the ring-swivel off1 the extreme end of the jess which was last put on must be pulled until that jess becomes slack enough for the two rings to be passed through it1 or1 in other words1 for the opening in the leather to be pulled over the rings1 and1 this being done1 it will come away at once4 ,after releasing one jess1 take care to hold it tight between the fingers of the left hand while freeing the other jess4 ,otherwise1 if the hawk is fidgety and jumps off1 she may jerk the other jess out of your hand1 and go off bodily1 leash and all1 into the next parish4 ,spring-swivels 7,fig4 #g7 are very handy contrivances for use in the field1 but not so safe for a hawk when sitting unhooded on the perch or at the block4 ,they are shaped like the swivel by which watches are usually attached to a watch-chain1 and must be so made as to turn quite freely on the pivot4 ,to attach them to the jesses1 nothing more is required than to press the side with the thumb-nail1 making the spring yield1 and then hook the curved end through the slit in both jesses1 after which the spring is released1 and the jesses remain encircled by the metal4 ,only1 if the spring is stiff or does not work properly1 there will be disasters4 ,the unhooking process is of course even more easily and quickly effected4 ,the leash can now be attached to the swivel4 ,and leashes1 again1 may be of two kinds4 ,the orthodox leash for peregrines and big hawks is a strip of tough leather1 about half an inch wide1 and a yard long1 provided with a stout button at one end1 which is made in the following way3--,in cutting the leash1 three inches or so at one end are cut rather broader than the rest of the strip4 ,this broad end is then rolled up tightly by doubling it over and over upon itself4 ,after the broad part has been rolled up1 a hole is punched right through the roll1 and the other end of the leash1 which is tapered to a point1 is pushed through and pulled tight4 ,a sort of square button will thus be formed at the thick end of the leash 7,fig4 #h72 and if the thin end of it is passed through the outer ring of the swivel--that ring to which the jesses are not attached--it will run right through until the ring encounters the button1 which is too big to get past4 ,the whole length of the leash is then available for the purpose of tying up the hawk to her block1 or to a peg in the ground4 ,there is a right and a wrong way about even so simple a matter as tying up a hawk4 ,blocks and pegs ought always to be provided with a ring or staple1 round which to tie the leash2 and it should be tied in what is called a falconer's knot1 which can easily be negotiated with one hand4 ,to begin with1 pass the thin end of the leash through the ring4 ,then make a loop in the part which has gone through the ring1 and pass the loop round that part of the leash which has not gone through the ring4 ,pull tight1 and the leash will assume an appearance resembling that shown in ,fig4 #i4 ,next pass the end 7,a7 through the loop 7,b71 and again pull tight4 ,it will be impossible for any strain upon the leash at ,c to undo the knot4 ,and when it is desired to undo it1 the end 7,a7 can easily be picked out with the fingers through the tightened loop 7,b71 and a simple pull upon ,a will then undo the whole fastening4 ,for attaching hawks to the screen-perch1 a sort of double falconer's knot is required for fastening the two ends of the leash round the pole4 ,but it is learnt with the greatest ease4 ,nothing more is necessary than to take the two ends of the leash--the thick and the thin--and pass one over and one under the pole4 ,then tie them together1 just as if you were tying a black necktie1 except that you make only one bow instead of two4 ,let this one bow1 when the knot is pulled tight1 be about four inches long2 and through the loop formed by it pass the two ends of the leash1 which will naturally be found on the reverse side of the knot 7,fig4 #aj74 ,when the hawk is carried on the fist1 the ends of the jesses1 the swivel1 and button of the leash will often lie in the palm of the left hand4 ,the leash will hang down for some inches1 perhaps a foot1 and then1 forming a loop1 be gathered up to the little finger1 round which the lower part1 a few inches from the thin end1 is wound for the sake of extra security4 ,smaller leashes in the same style1 but made of less stout leather1 can very well be used for the smaller hawks1 and usually are so4 ,but when these hawks are doing a great deal of flying1 as they should1 and doing it twice a day1 the trouble of constantly unfastening the ring-swivel from the jesses and fastening it on again becomes very tiresome1 and even vexatious2 and it is a common practice to use spring-swivels permanently4 ,the outer ring of these 7unless they are made specially7 is too small to admit the passage of a flat leash2 and it will be found more convenient to use thongs shaped like a porpoise-hide boot-lace4 ,in fact a long leather boot-lace makes about as good a leash as can be wished for4 ,the function of the button is fulfilled by a simple knot tied in the end of the lace4 ,or in order to save still more time1 the lace may be permanently attached to the spring-swivel in the manner shown in the diagram 7,fig4 #be74 ,by making the knot an inch or two away from the ring of the swivel1 instead of close up to it1 enough length of tether is left1 when the leash is tied round the pole1 to enable a merlin or sparrow-hawk in short racing jesses to shift about a bit on the perch4 ,the proper place for a hawk1 when not out of doors1 is the screen-perch 7,fig4 #bc74 ,the bar on which the hawk stands may run from wall to wall of the hawk-house1 or1 if this is not convenient1 it may be supported on arms or brackets reaching out from the wall to a distance of not less than #cj in4 for a big hawk1 or #b ft4 for a little one4 ,where this arrangement is also impossible the bar may be supported at each end on a post or tressels so securely fastened or weighted that they cannot be upset or moved out of place4 ,round the bar1 which should be of wood1 is wrapped a padding of baize or other soft stuff1 and over it a covering of canvas stretched very tight4 ,the canvas may be nailed to the pole1 or stitched together1 on the under side4 ,a screen1 or curtain1 of canvas must be attached to the under side of the perch1 and hang down from it for more than two feet1 to form a sort of ladder1 by which any hawk may climb up again as often as she bates off and hangs by her leash and swivel4 ,the ends of this screen may be kept down with weights attached to it1 or stretched by a sort of guy ropes from the lower corners1 so as to keep the whole flat and taut4 ,in perches for small hawks1 the same canvas which is rolled round the pole is often allowed to hang down and form the screen4 ,in this case slits or holes are made in the canvas just below the pole1 through which the leashes may be passed when fastening the hawks to the perch4 ,a space of at least #b ft4 should be left between each big hawk and that which stands next her on the perch2 and #ah in4 between each of the small ones2 and there should be rather more space between the end hawk and the wall or the bracket of the perch1 whichever it is4 ,underneath the perch must be spread a good thick layer of sand or sawdust1 extending in the case of peregrines and gers for a good yard on each side of the perch1 and about #ah in4 in the case of the smaller long-winged hawks1 to catch the mutes4 ,as for short-winged hawks1 the layer must be very much farther extended1 and in the case of goshawks should reach at least three yards from the perch4 ,and if the perch is near a wall1 the wall itself must be protected by a shield of paper1 or other cheap material which can be changed every other day1 for these hawks slice to a very great distance almost horizontally4 ,the sand or sawdust must either be removed daily1 or at least freed from the mutes which have fallen into it4 ,in or near it will also be found the castings1 or pellets of refuse feathers and other indigestible matter thrown up by the hawks4 ,these castings should be looked for every morning by the falconer1 and each one should be examined before it is thrown away1 as it is by the appearance of them1 as will be seen later on1 that the state of health of each hawk is to a large extent ascertained4 ,both castings and mutes1 with the sand or sawdust adhering to them1 should1 when collected1 be immediately removed from the hawk-house4 ,a dirty or ill-smelling room is not only a disgrace to the falconer1 but injurious to the inmates1 which1 though possessed of no sense of smell1 require the purest possible air to breathe4 ,illustration3 ,,hawk',s ,,furniture1 ,,ii4 ,,blocks ,,and ,,perches #aa4 ,,plain ,,block ,,for ,,long-,,winged ,,hawk #ab4 ,,block ,,for ,,saker1 ,,merlin1 ,,etc4 #ac1 #ad4 ,,improved ,,block ,,for ,,large ,,and ,,small ,,hawk #ae4 ,,spike ,,for ,,block #af4 ,,ring ,,peg #ag1 #ah4 ,,blocks ,,with ,,cork ,,top #ai4 ,,field ,,block #bj1 #ba4 ,,bow-,,perches #bb4 ,,crutch-,,perch #bc4 ,,screen-,,perch ,for out-door service1 blocks are used for the long-winged hawks1 and bow-perches for the short-winged4 ,blocks are of various shapes1 as shown in the illustration4 ,the simplest are made of mere chunks of tree or sapling sawn off level 7,fig4 #aa71 and having a staple of iron or brass driven into the top or at the side1 to which to attach the leash4 ,they should be from #h inches to a foot in height for a peregrine or ger1 and for all other hawks of such a height that when the hawk is standing on them her tail may just clear the tops of the blades of grass4 ,a high block is not good2 for then the leash1 if it is not to catch in the shoulder1 must be a long one1 and when the hawk bates she will be brought up with a too sudden jerk as the leash tightens4 ,for the smaller falcons--hobbies1 merlins1 and kestrels--as well as for sakers and lanners1 the block should always be larger at the top than at the bottom1 so that it may not be fouled on the sides with the mutes 7see ,figs4 #ab1 #ad74 ,it is a very good plan to have a groove made round the body of the block1 and to have a metal ring fitted round it1 so that it will run freely in the groove4 ,this hoop of metal may be looped out into a smaller ring on one side1 to which the leash may be tied 7see ,figs4 #ac1 #ad74 ,as the hawk jumps off to one side or the other the ring will run round2 and thus all risk is avoided of the leash getting hitched up or wound round the block4 ,a spike 7,fig4 #ae7 is firmly fixed into the middle of the base of the block to hold it fast in the ground4 ,of course a block which is larger at the base than on the top may be used without a spike1 and without any ring or staple in it1 if the leash is fastened to a ring-peg 7,fig4 #af7 in the ground4 ,but even if this peg is driven in on the windward side of the block1 that is1 on the side towards which the hawk is pretty sure to bate off1 the risk of entanglement is not wholly avoided2 and a hawk so attached should not be left alone for long4 ,the top of the block should be covered with cork 7,fig4 #ag71 or it may be padded and covered with leather4 ,but in the latter case it must not be left out in the rain4 ,wood is too hard for hawks to stand on for any length of time1 and is apt to give them corns or sore feet4 ,no hawk should be allowed to stand on a wet block4 ,a simple and not a bad plan for making merlins' blocks1 is to saw off a chunk from a pole or tree branch1 about #b-a_/b in4 in diameter and #e or #f in4 long4 ,into one end insert a spike1 and on to the other nail a #d-;in4 or #e-;in4 bung 7,fig4 #ah74 ,a #d-;in4 metal curtain-ring1 measured from outside to outside1 can be placed on the ground and the spike driven into the earth in the middle of the ring1 which will run freely round the block when the leash is attached to it4 ,care must always be taken to drive the block well home to the ground1 or the leash may get jammed under its lower edge1 and cause a dire mishap4 ,fig4 #ai is a little field block which ,i use for merlins4 ,it can be carried in a side-pocket when out on the open downs4 ,after one of these little hawks has done her day's flying1 or before her turn comes1 instead of putting her1 hooded1 on the pole cadge1 her leash is made fast to the looped creance1 which comes from a ring in the top of the block4 ,the spike is driven into the ground in a sheltered spot1 and the hawk is deposited on the top of the pigmy post1 where she will sit1 if not exactly like patience on a monument1 at least more comfortably than if merely pegged out on the prickly grass or still more uninviting stubble4 ,bow-perches for goshawks and sparrow-hawks may be made by simply bending a length of yew or other tough wood into the shape of an arch1 and sticking the two sharpened ends into the ground 7,fig4 #bj74 ,a more elaborate apparatus made of iron1 with three spikes and a padded top1 is shown in ,fig4 #ba4 ,in any case it is proper to pad the uppermost part of the arch4 ,the ring for the leash runs loosely on the outer frame of the perch4 ,the crutch-like perch shown in ,fig4 #bb is simple1 and has its merits4 ,probably for an eagle it is the best resting-place that could be provided4 ,when fixing up bow-perches or crutch-perches care should be taken that they are placed broadside on to the wind1 so that the hawk as she takes perch on them may directly face the wind4 ,it is perhaps needless to say that for an eagle the spike should be very long1 and hammered deep into the ground4 ,the hood1 or to speak more exactly1 the hood proper1 is an article of attire with which every educated person is vaguely familiar4 ,the exact shape is shown in ,fig4 #bd4 ,it is made of stiffish leather1 fashioned on a wooden block made of the size and shape of the hawk for which it is intended1 and stitched together4 ,some amateurs have arrived at a certain proficiency in making their own hoods4 ,captain ,salvin1 for instance1 could manufacture very good ones4 ,but such excellent hoods can be obtained from ,mr4 ,mllen1 for all sorts of hawks1 at so small a price1 that it is scarcely worth while to be at the trouble of making them4 ,the hooding of hawks is an art in itself1 and will be referred to in a later chapter4 ,when the hood is well on the hawk's head and the beak well through the opening in front1 the longer and thinner of the braces at the back 7,a1 ,a7 are pulled apart1 and the back of the hood is thus drawn tight1 so that it is impossible to remove it4 ,the shorter and stouter ends are pulled when it is desired to slacken the fastening1 so that the hood can be taken off by lifting the plume forwards4 ,usually each of these operations is performed with the aid of the right hand and the teeth4 ,as the hawk stands on the falconer's left fist with her tail outwards over his knuckles1 he takes hold with his right finger and thumb of the brace which is on the hawk's left side1 and then catches hold with his front teeth of the brace which is on the hawk's right side4 ,a sharp pull brings the ends apart1 and the hood is braced up or slackened1 as the case may be4 ,before any hood is ever put on1 the falconer should remember to look inside it to see that no dust or dirt or stray feathers or anything else has found its way in1 and it is as well to blow a puff of air into it to clear it of any particle of dust4 ,illustration3 ,,hawk',s ,,furniture1 ,,iii4 #bd4 ,,hood-,,proper #be4 ,,spring ,,swivel ,,and ,,leash ,,for ,,small ,,hawk #bf1 #bg4 ,,double ,,ring ,,leash #bh4 ,,brail ,the rufter-hood is made of much softer leather1 with no plume1 and a simpler fastening4 ,it is used for newly-caught hawks1 and hardly need be described in detail1 as before the beginner has occasion for it he will have learnt more about hoods than can be taught in any book4 ,indian hoods are also made of softer leather1 with a different and smaller plume4 ,they are fastened by braces which run round the lower side1 passing in and out of the leather and working by friction4 ,this completes the list of ordinary hawk's furniture4 ,but there are a few other appliances with which the beginner must become familiar before he can undertake to train1 or even to keep1 a hawk4 ,a brail 7,fig4 #bh7 is a sort of manacle for an unmanageable hawk1 which keeps on bating and fidgeting with her wings4 ,it consists of a narrow strip of fine soft leather1 having a slit two or three inches long down the middle4 ,into this slit is inserted the pinion joint of the hawk's closed wing4 ,the upper end of the brail will then of course extend upwards over her back1 and the lower will hang downwards by her side4 ,now take the upper end and pass it down under the under part of her wing between it and her ribs4 ,pass the lower end in the contrary direction upwards under the under side of the same wing4 ,the two ends will now be pointing in the opposite direction to that first described4 ,next bring them together on the outside of the wing1 and tie in a plain bow-knot1 making the bows very short and passing the single ends through them4 ,the hawk will be unable to open the wing1 which will be to all intents and purposes as useless to her1 as long as the brail is on1 as if all the flight feathers in it had been cut4 ,a bath must always be offered to a trained hawk at least twice a week1 and oftener in fine and warm weather4 ,and it is not a thing which can always be improvised very easily4 ,the best baths are sunk in the ground1 so that there are no upstanding sides round or under which a leash can get entangled4 ,but of course1 unless great care is taken1 the ground round the edges of such a bath is apt to become slushy and dirty1 if much used4 ,whenever it is impossible to sink the bath in the earth it is necessary that some person should be at hand when the hawks are bathing1 so that if the leash gets entangled he may come to the rescue4 ,many hawks have a tiresome way of jumping on and off the sides of the bath1 and running round it--in fact1 as ,winchester boys say1 funking on the bank--in complete oblivion of the fact that they are thereby hitching up their leashes4 ,for such hawks it is best to take off the leash and substitute a creance three or four yards long1 attaching the end of this to the block on which they are deposited at the side of the bath4 ,all baths should be of a sufficient size4 ,for gers they should be nearly a foot deep at least1 and well over a yard in diameter4 ,for the smallest jack-merlin they should be not less than four inches deep4 ,a hawk will not fully enjoy her bath unless she can wade into it1 if she chooses1 up to her shoulders and over4 ,in shallow water she is more or less uncomfortable4 ,like ,alexander the ,great1 in the small world of antiquity1 stuat infelix angusto in limite2 and her back and the nape of her neck are never properly wetted1 however much she may splash about in the endeavour to throw the water over them4 ,the bath should be tilted up1 so that it is shallower at one end than the other1 and the bather may get in1 if she chooses1 at the shallow end1 and wade out as far as she likes towards the other4 ,according to immemorial custom a few pebbles should be thrown in to lie on the floor of the bath4 ,when the weather is very cold1 a cup or two of hot water may be added1 to take off the chill2 and if the water used is taken from a deep and cool well it should be allowed to stand for some time in the sun before being put out for the hawks4 ,cemented basins in the ground make1 of course1 capital bathing-places4 ,but they are troublesome to keep clean1 and even to empty2 and the surrounding edges are likely to become small quagmires4 ,perhaps the most serviceable bath is a common flat bedroom bath1 sunk into a cavity in the ground1 and removable at will4 ,a pretty tall block or for short-winged hawks a bow-perch1 should be placed near the bath1 so that the bather1 having finished her ablutions may at once jump on to it4 ,in some places it is possible to indulge the hawks with a natural bath4 ,when there is in the neighbourhood a stream of clean water with a sandy or gravelly bottom and shelving banks1 the hawk may be carried down to a suitable part of the bank1 the block set up1 and the creance attached4 ,she may be left on the block while the falconer retires to a short distance1 and will come back1 when bathed1 to her post4 ,after the bath1 every hawk should remain out1 bareheaded1 for about an hour1 in the sun1 if possible4 ,she will busy herself first in spreading her feathers to the sun and wind1 and then in pluming and arranging them--a work exceedingly agreeable to those hawks which are particular about their own appearance4 ,the lure will be more particularly referred to later on4 ,it may suffice to say here that it is a rough imitation of some bird--or1 if the hawk is to be trained to ground-game1 of some beast--used as a bait to which the hawk is taught to come for food4 ,it is attached to a strong cord or thong a yard or more long1 and sometimes to a swivel4 ,it is the invariable companion of the falconer in the field1 though never allowed to be seen by the hawk1 except when she is required to come to it4 ,the lure should be a sort of magnet1 operating to draw the hawk towards it as surely as iron will attract a magnetised needle4 ,a cadge is a most necessary apparatus when a man is the possessor of more than one hawk4 ,the orthodox and historic cadge--such as one sees in representations of ,as ,you ,like ,it on the stage1 or1 as once ,i remember1 at a ,lord ,mayor's ,show--is a circular or square or oblong frame of wood1 three or four feet across1 having straps by which it can be suspended from the shoulders of a man1 who in classic phrase is termed a cadger1 and who stands or walks in the middle1 with the frame surrounding him4 ,at each corner of the frame is a small jointed leg1 which can be hooked up when the cadge is being carried1 and let down when it is to be deposited on the ground4 ,the bars which form the body of the frame are padded on the top1 and on these stand the hawks1 hooded of course1 and fastened by their leashes to the frame4 ,the man with the cadge 7whom in these days you will not address by his right title1 unless you wish him to give you a month's notice7 will1 if he is a sharp fellow1 so carry the cadge that all or most of the hawks upon it face the wind4 ,on windy days--and at rook-hawking time it is mostly pretty windy--the cadge should be rested as much as possible under the lee of some shelter1 generally a rick4 ,all hawks very much detest a wind2 and should not be unnecessarily exposed to it4 ,in fact1 trained hawks must be1 in this and in all other things1 whether at home or in the field1 subjected to as little vexation and annoyance as can be4 ,like other creatures1 they have tempers of their own--sometimes very queer ones2 and they have enough to put up with1 as it is1 when trained1 without any extra trials that can fairly be spared them4 ,a cadge is shown in the illustration4 ,a still greater luxury for the field1 especially in rook-hawking1 is the hawk-van1 which is a sort of omnibus1 fitted with screen-perches1 and hung on very easy springs4 ,in it are conveyed the hawks which are not for the time being in use1 and also spare lures and other furniture and properties1 not forgetting the luncheon-basket4 ,such a vehicle will be too pretentious1 as well as too costly1 for most private individuals1 but it is used successfully by the ,old ,hawking ,club1 whose excellent arrangements and methods of training and managing hawks will be repeatedly noticed in these pages4 ,the box-cadge is a very simple apparatus used for the transport of hawks by train or other wheeled conveyance4 ,it is nothing more than a frame resembling the body of a box--very often a box itself--without the lid4 ,the four upper edges of the sides are padded to form perches4 ,holes are bored in the sides an inch or two below1 through which the leashes can be passed and made fast4 ,in the bottom of the box is sawdust to catch the mutes2 and the hawks are put on1 as naturally they would be1 facing outwards1 with their tails towards the inside of the box4 ,you will be surprised1 if you have never seen it tried1 how small a box will accommodate six or eight great big hawks sitting in this simple fashion4 ,by the bye1 the box-cadge should be heavily weighted1 to prevent upsetting or jolting1 in case any hawk should unluckily bate off4 ,illustration3 ,,cadge ,,with ,,peregrines ,the writer of these pages has invented an apparatus which may be called a pole-cadge1 and will attempt to describe it1 because in his own experience he has found it very useful and handy1 especially for small hawks4 ,it consists of a plain pole--a broom-handle does very well--over which a single or double fold of green baize is stretched and fastened4 ,about nine inches from each end of the perch thus formed1 stout wire is firmly twisted round it1 and the ends of the wire are allowed to project at an angle of about #ij1 from one another downwards4 ,when the perch is being carried1 it is simply grasped by the middle in one hand2 and when it is desired to put it down1 the four ends of the wire are rested on the ground1 or pushed into the earth if it is soft enough4 ,the hawks are1 of course1 attached by leashes tied round the pole1 as if they were on the screen-perch2 and four can be accommodated with the greatest ease on a short stick--one near the bearer's hand on each side of it1 and one near each end of the pole4 ,a long stick would hold six or eight hawks4 ,there is no reason that ,i can see why a stouter pole should not be used for big hawks4 ,the advantage of this over the ordinary and time-honoured cadge is that all the hawks1 if properly placed1 must necessarily face the wind1 and need never stand sideways to it4 ,the pole-cadge can also be picked up and set down much more quickly4 ,and for carrying hawks when driving in a dogcart or riding on a bicycle--a not impossible feat in these days--this form of cadge is1 ,i think1 unsurpassable4 ,hawking-gloves1 for wearing when a big hawk is on the fist1 are gauntleted half-way to the elbow1 and made of buckskin or very strong leather4 ,they should1 of course1 be kept clean and dry4 ,for the smaller hawks a two-button dogskin glove is strong enough1 and preferable4 ,some hawks1 when they are very sharp-set1 or fidgety and in a bad humour1 will pick and tear at the glove or perch in a tiresome way1 and even tear it to pieces after a while4 ,a cure for this is to rub the exposed part of the glove or perch with onions or a solution of alum1 the taste of which will generally soon disgust the offender with that bad habit4 ,very often1 however1 it is good to provide such a hawk with a very tough piece of tiring1 such as the bare pinion of a goose or fowl1 upon which to expend her superfluous energy4 ,worn gloves should not be patched or mended1 but replaced by fresh ones4 ,a glove which has once become thoroughly greasy or sodden should be regarded as spoilt4 ,mews1 or hawk-houses1 are more particularly described in ,chapter ,,xiii4 ,they should be absolutely free from draughts1 and not liable to get too hot in summer or too cold in winter4 ,the doors should fit well1 and be kept locked as a rule2 and the windows should all have well-fitting shutters4 ,they should be ventilated at the top1 and be kept bare of furniture and rubbish of all kinds1 and scrupulously clean4 ,the windows should by preference face towards east and north4 ,and in hot climates there should be a verandah outside1 and double roof above4 ,,chapter ,,iv ,eyesses and ,hack ,hawks ,eyesses1 or young hawks taken from the nest1 should not be taken until the latest possible day4 ,if the captor can defer the moment until they are able to fly a little1 so much the better4 ,he may then possibly snare them by some means or another4 ,but this is an exceedingly difficult job1 as the newly-fledged hawk is for a considerable time fed by her parents1 and does not prey for herself4 ,consequently1 she will not come to any live lure or baited trap1 and1 being very distrustful of men1 cannot easily even be approached4 ,thus it is rarely that even an experienced falconer can lay hands on a wild hawk after it has once left the eyrie4 ,the next best thing to be done is to catch the eyesses when they are branchers1 that is to say1 when they are able to run and jump about on the branches of a tree1 though not yet able to rise on the wing from the ground4 ,in short1 the longer they can be left in the natural nursery under the care of their natural guardians1 the better they are likely to turn out1 not only in their bodily condition1 but in temper and disposition4 ,very often1 however1 the young birds will come to their trainer when there is a good deal of the white down of their infancy still clothing their unwieldy bodies1 and only partially replaced by the brown feathers of their first plumage4 ,at any rate the flight feathers of the wing will not be nearly down to their full length4 ,the outer ones will still have some inches to grow2 and those of the tail will be short soft things1 with flabby shafts1 and not much shape or strength4 ,it is for many reasons desirable that the trainer should go personally to the place where the eyrie is1 and either himself assist in taking the young birds1 or at least be ready to receive them within a few hours1 and give them their first feed4 ,unfortunately1 most hawk-dealers and many gamekeepers have a rooted objection to this plan1 and prefer to muddle about with the hawks themselves1 not sending them off to the purchaser until they have already unwittingly done them more or less injury1 in one way or another4 ,they either are1 or pretend to be1 unable to understand or to believe that an eyess delivered immediately into the trainer's hand is worth at least #be per cent4 more to him than one which has been messed about by unskilled hands1 and racketed about in a train for several hours4 ,this stupid prejudice of the captors and vendors is often productive of the deplorable blemish called hunger-streaks1 which weakens every important feather in the hawk's body1 and to some extent checks and stunts her whole bodily growth and energy1 just at the time when it is most desirable that they should be steadily maintained and developed4 ,a hunger-streak is caused whenever a young hawk has been allowed to grow unreasonably hungry4 ,the result is that that part of the whole web and shaft of each feather which is growing out of the body at the time is deformed through want of proper nourishment1 and bears on it ever afterwards a cross line like a blight1 so that the feather looks as if a sharp razor had been passed lightly across it4 ,as the feather grows down this line comes down with it1 and may be seen in all its hideousness1 after the hawk is summed1 if any big feather is examined carefully4 ,a fast of more than fifteen hours--in the daytime--will generally cause a slight hunger-streak2 but the night hours do not count for much2 so that hawks which have to travel far before getting into the trainer's hands should be taken late in the day and started at once1 so that they may be met as soon as they arrive on the following day4 ,if the falconer cannot attend personally at the capture of the eyesses1 he should at least send to the captor a suitable hamper in which to pack and send them4 ,this should be roomy and round in shape1 having its sides and top lined inside with sacking1 matting1 or other soft material4 ,in the bottom of it a good thick layer of straw should be lightly strewed1 for the hawks to rest upon2 and the lining should fit well enough to exclude almost all light4 ,even with all these precautions there is some risk of breaking feathers1 and still more of bending them and deforming them with dirt4 ,on railways the guards may generally be cajoled into taking special care that the hamper is not turned upside down or banged about4 ,but ,i have more than once known of valuable hawks arriving dead from a short sea voyage--killed by the evident ill-treatment to which the padded hamper has been subjected on the way4 ,once arrived at the trainer's quarters1 the hamper should be opened in a darkened room1 with doors and windows closed1 in which has been got ready another straw-lined hamper1 this time of an oblong or square shape4 ,each hawk in her turn will be gently taken out of the soiled travelling hamper1 of which the lid can be shut down between the times of removing the several inmates4 ,unless these are very young1 a rufter-hood can be slipped on the head of each one1 and the jesses and bell at once attached to her4 ,if they have come far1 a few morsels of food may be given even before the new-comer has been deposited in the second hamper4 ,but1 if too young to be able to move about much1 they can all be transferred directly to the new quarters1 and the lids left open4 ,in every case the operation of feeding should be at once undertaken4 ,and a much more troublesome thing this operation is than the unlearned may suppose4 ,in the first place1 there must be in readiness a good store of fresh1 tender beef or sheep's heart1 cut into small strips and slightly warmed4 ,and of this the new-comers must by some means or other be induced to swallow at least a small quantity4 ,if care has been taken from the very first not to alarm them1 they may possibly take the morsels of meat quietly and naturally1 when offered to them gently on the end of a small stick4 ,if so1 an important point will have been gained4 ,but it is much more likely that at the sight of their new and awful-looking foster-parent--when a subdued light has been let into the room--they will draw back their heads1 open their mouths1 and hiss indignantly4 ,still1 if the meat is very slowly and quietly obtruded towards the open mouths1 there is always a good chance that one of them1 bolder than the rest1 will strike at it1 half in anger1 and half with the idea that it may be good to eat4 ,and1 if such a youngster should happen at the first shot to catch hold of the piece she aims at1 she is quite likely to swallow it1 in which case the rest of your task becomes easy4 ,if things do not go quite so smoothly1 and a hawk which has seized the meat flips it scornfully away1 there is no need to give up the attempt4 ,she may do this a dozen times1 and at the thirteenth time of asking may swallow the food and begin feeding readily4 ,or1 whilst pupil number one is thus making a fool of the teacher1 number two may take heart and come up to the attack1 with a more practical result4 ,even at the expense of much time and patience1 it is worth while to get the youngsters to conform from the first1 and take their rations willingly and amicably4 ,as soon as one has done this the others will follow suit1 some quickly and others grudgingly4 ,if all such efforts fail1 or if the hawks1 being nearly grown up1 bate and begin to dash about1 you must1 of course1 use rougher measures4 ,to starve them is worst of all4 ,there is no harm1 if all modes of persuasion fail1 in stuffing a young hawk4 ,let her be held firmly1 and as she opens her mouth in defiance at the meat offered1 let the falconer push it inside her beak1 and then1 if she will not swallow it1 push it down with the small stick into her throat4 ,i have known an eyess hobby which had to be stuffed with all her meals for eight days6 ,and afterwards she became a fine hawk and a very strong flier4 ,when all the hawks have taken a half-crop or so1 they should be left in peace in the darkened room for two hours at least4 ,it is a good thing1 by the way1 to put on each of them different-coloured jesses1 so that from the first they may be easily known apart4 ,brown1 yellow1 white1 orange1 and black are perhaps the best colours--not red1 or pink1 or green4 ,notes may also be made from the first in a hawk-book or falconer's diary4 ,as1 for instance1 ,june #aj--;,eyess peregrines arrived2 ,no4 #a3 small falcon2 fed readily1 and had nearly a full crop2 seems strong and active2 outer wing feather about half down2 brown jesses and hack bell4 ,no4 #b3 big tiercel or small falcon 7uncertain72 fed with difficulty2 half a crop2 seems timid and rather dull2 black jesses4 ,of course1 if the hawks are to be turned out as soon as they can fly1 no slits will be made in the outer end of the jesses4 ,another thing which may very probably have to be done is to clean the hawk's tail-feathers1 and possibly the tips of the wings1 if soiled during the journey4 ,this is done with warm water1 soap1 and an old toothbrush4 ,if the dirt is allowed to get hard on the feathers it will be almost impossible to get it off without fraying the web4 ,the feet of each hawk should also be well washed and brushed with soap and warm water2 and it is always as well to do the same with the nares1 or else brush them and the beak with a brush dipped in a solution of tobacco4 ,a fresh feed should be given at intervals of not more than five hours between sunrise and sunset1 i4e4 three at least in the day4 ,in fact1 young nestlings can hardly be fed too often or too much1 when they seem ready to eat4 ,but the food should not often be as heavy as beef4 ,young pigeons1 young chickens1 bullock's heart1 and rabbits may be given to the big hawks2 small birds--fresh-killed always--and sheep's heart to the small ones4 ,old pigeons are rather too heating1 and old fowls are too tough4 ,whenever butcher's meat is given1 it should be slightly warmed first1 but not dipped in water4 ,the hawks must be kept quite dry1 and in a moderately warm but airy place1 away from all draughts4 ,very young sparrow-hawks must be kept in a specially warm and well-sheltered place1 or they are pretty sure to develop a fatal attack of cramp4 ,whenever it may be necessary to move a young hawk or meddle with her1 the room should be made as nearly dark as possible4 ,after a few feeds1 administered quietly and patiently1 the young hawks will begin to lose their distrust of their new surroundings2 and first one and then the others will begin to take their meat eagerly1 stretching their necks out1 and perhaps pushing their way towards the feeder's hand4 ,when this is the case they may be indulged with a few tit-bits on the fist or on the lure4 ,if the lure is used1 the pieces of meat should be merely laid upon it1 so that at first the hawk may pick them off quite easily2 and by degrees they may be made to walk towards it from their artificial nest along a causeway roughly constructed for that purpose4 ,if it is preferred to get them to feed on the fist1 as it probably will in the case of short-winged hawks1 they must first be made to pick pieces off the gloved hand4 ,then hold in the gloved fist1 between the outer part of the thumb and the end of the forefinger1 a very tender piece of meat or wing of a small bird4 ,as the hawk takes hold of it1 and finds that it cannot be taken up without a pull1 she will1 at once or after a while1 give a tug at it1 and afterwards probably put out a foot and seize the glove1 using her foot as a leverage1 just as an oarsman uses his stretcher4 ,a little encouragement will make this easy for her2 and by a little management it can be so arranged that she gets both feet upon the fist4 ,thus by degrees she will be induced to stand on the back of the hand1 and in that position tear up her food4 ,the next step is to raise her slowly up on the fist1 while busy at her meal4 ,in like manner1 when pulling at the lure1 she may be lifted bodily on it1 and thence shifted adroitly on to the fist1 while the garnished part of the lure is still kept under her4 ,with a little luck this stage of the young bird's education may have been reached at almost the same time when the feathers are nearly down and they are ready to fly4 ,in such case the sooner they are turned out to hack the better4 ,when they have grown so accustomed to feeding on the lure or on hand that they will run to it as soon as they see it1 they may be let loose in the hack field1 with a man to watch them1 having a lure with him to entice them if they stray away4 ,most of the popular books dealing with hawking complacently assume that here no difficulty arises4 ,unfortunately for the beginner1 such difficulties will occur1 even in the best-regulated establishments4 ,for instance1 the hawks may begin to fly the very day after they arrive1 and before they will feed willingly4 ,what is to be done in such a case8 ,well1 each hawk must be made to the lure or the fist before she is turned out4 ,she may be brailed and kept in a spare room1 with or without her sisters and brothers4 ,or she may have slits cut in her jesses1 and be attached by a leash to a block1 for all the world like a trained hawk1 and thence enticed by degrees to run to the lure for her food1 until she is keen for it4 ,she should at least know what the lure means before being let entirely loose4 ,but it is generally sufficient that one of a lot which came from the same nest should be made to the lure4 ,the rest1 when turned out1 will find their way1 when hungry1 after her to the feeding-place4 ,some special caution should be observed with hobbies4 ,i know of two which would come to the lure in an outhouse1 but only reluctantly4 ,they were turned out one morning to hack in a quiet place1 and1 though they had never flown more than a yard high before1 went up into tall fir-trees4 ,and there they remained1 staring at the well-garnished lures which were laid out underneath1 declining to go down1 taking short flights from tree to tree1 and cruising about in the air4 ,this state of affairs continued for about three days1 after which it was discovered that the two youngsters--who had never been seen to chase anything1 far less to kill it--had become wild hawks6 ,some falconers habitually carry their eyesses1 break them to the hood1 and partially reclaim them1 before turning them out to hack4 ,but the more natural and promising system is never to confine them at all until they are taken up at the end of the period of hack4 ,the youngster1 when thus treated1 has become1 by the time she has to be put in training1 as like a wild hawk as a tame one can be4 ,and1 as the haggard is better than the red passager1 and the passager than the soar-hawk1 so by analogy it may be assumed as a rule that the hack hawk which has never been handled is superior to the eyess which has4 ,sir ,john ,sebright's plan of putting out the young hawks in a hamper hung against a tree-trunk1 with the lid of the hamper turned down as a platform by day1 and fastened up at night1 will answer with orderly1 well-behaved hawks4 ,but it will be wise to keep a close watch upon the artificial nest1 in case of a hawk jumping off when it can run but cannot fly4 ,it might stray for ever so far1 and hide in bushes1 or be devoured by a cat or fox4 ,we suppose now that the eyesses are at hack4 ,even yet their outer wing feathers will not be fully down2 and the sails1 even of those which will ultimately be the longest winged1 appear rounded at the ends1 like those of a sparrow-hawk4 ,but they will very soon learn to fly quite well1 with a rather gliding movement1 the tips of the feathers bending upwards as they strike the air4 ,they will not go far from the spot where they are turned out4 ,what sort of place should this be that is chosen for the hack ground8 ,that depends upon the facilities which the trainer enjoys for selecting a country4 ,none perhaps is better than a large park1 with fir-trees in it1 or an open moor with a few stone walls4 ,if the falconer is nervous about turning out a whole nestful at once1 he may tether one of the most backward at a block in the middle of the hack field1 with a tiring to amuse her1 and place some garnished lures on the ground near to her1 to which the liberated hawks may come when they like4 ,there should also be spare blocks put out in the field1 upon which the hack hawks may jump if they like after feeding4 ,of course1 if the weather is very wet1 the commencement of hack should be deferred till it is more settled1 and the hawks brailed and let loose in an empty room or loft4 ,if they have been manned pretty well before they are turned out1 and will allow themselves to be taken up when feeding on the lure1 they may be taken in under shelter the first night or two4 ,but if it is fairly warm and fine they will be better left out4 ,they will generally at or soon after sunset go up into pretty tall trees to roost4 ,if they stay too long on a block or a gate or post1 it is as well to drive or take them off1 and see that they are perched up somewhere aloft1 out of harm's way4 ,by the bye1 hawks1 as a rule1 should be turned loose in the early part of the day1 after a light feed1 so that they may be sure to get hungry again by the middle of the day4 ,jubilee1 the best hack hawk ,i ever had1 when he was let loose at #g a4m41 having never before flown two yards1 spread his wings1 and at the first start flew softly but steadily away across a small river1 and1 rising easily1 took perch #cjj yards off on the top branches of an elm #gj feet high4 ,he afterwards flitted about from one high tree to another within a range of #ejj yards1 and only at midday came down to his sister1 who was eating her luncheon at a block in the hack field4 ,he spent that night in a tall elm1 not far off1 and did not go more than half a mile from the hack field until he was taken up nearly a fortnight later4 ,if the falconer can hack his own hawks1 so much the better4 ,he will learn during the process much about their individual characters and aptitudes4 ,often he will name them in accordance with their peculiarities or the adventures which each may meet with4 ,it is1 however1 generally possible for him to get his hawks hacked by some other person1 or to purchase fully-hacked hawks after they have been taken up4 ,the worst of it is that unless you know a good deal about the deputy hawk-master1 you have no guarantee that the month's hack which they are supposed to have had is real or imaginary4 ,on the first or second day of hack the falconer should make up his mind whether he will hack his hawks to the lure1 to the fist1 or to the board4 ,for short-winged hawks the fist or the board is preferable4 ,for gers1 peregrines1 and hobbies1 the board or the lure4 ,for merlins1 the lure and the fist1 combined in such proportions as seems to be most suitable2 generally more of the lure than of the fist4 ,each of the systems has its merits1 and each its defects4 ,if the board is chosen1 it must be substituted at once for the lure which was used on the first day4 ,it consists of a plank or log of wood1 the lower side of which rests on the ground1 while to the top side is attached the food for the expected guests4 ,one ration should be provided for each hawk out--at intervals of two feet or so all along the board4 ,it is very important that the meat should be so attached that it cannot be pulled off and carried away1 but must be1 strictly speaking1 consumed on the premises4 ,when the feast consists of rabbits' legs1 fowls' wings1 or the like1 it can be firmly tied by the bone4 ,but1 when meat is given1 much care and ingenuity is required to make it fast4 ,perhaps the best plan is to tie the piece tightly by the two opposite corners4 ,if it is possible for a hawk to bolt with a substantial piece1 she is quite likely to do so4 ,and1 having done so once1 she will try to do it again1 especially if she happens to be a shy hawk1 and afraid of her stronger sisters who are beside her at the board4 ,it must be confessed that hawks at hack exhibit a good deal of perversity in their dealings with the hack board4 ,theoretically1 each of them ought to come down punctually at meal-time1 and take her place at the al fresco table1 where she can eat up in peace and quiet the portion set out for her1 without interference by or with her neighbours4 ,but1 as a matter of fact1 ,i regret to say that1 instead of adopting this rational and orderly course1 hack hawks are often no better behaved than an ,american traveller at a roadside feeding-place1 or a dowager at a ball-supper4 ,as soon as the first comer has settled down to that part of the board to which chance or choice has brought her1 the next comer will make straight for the same spot1 taking no notice whatever of the dainty morsels with which the rest of the board is bedecked4 ,thereupon1 of course1 squabblings and bickerings1 and probably a scuffle1 in which the weaker or less greedy of the rival gluttons is driven off4 ,sometimes there will be three hungry young ladies at the same piece1 and a sort of battle ensues4 ,fortunately the quarrel does not end in blows1 nor in broken feathers1 unless the edges of the board have carelessly been left square and sharp at the upper edges4 ,the disadvantages of the board-school system1 as it may be called1 are thus considerable4 ,it leads to rivalries and jealousies1 and sometimes to free fights1 among the school-children4 ,these are not birds which1 in the words of ,dr4 ,watts1 in their little nests agree4 ,moreover1 one bad habit at least is very likely to be learnt4 ,it is impossible always to fix on the rations to the board so that they cannot be pulled off until finished4 ,suppose1 now1 that a tiercel1 having eaten half his ration1 finds that the remainder has come loose4 ,and suppose that one of his sisters1 having made a joint meal farther down the board with another falcon1 happens to want some more4 ,she may turn a covetous eye towards the tiercel's portion4 ,upon which exit the latter1 food in hand1 closely followed by his big sister1 who gives him a hot time of it1 chasing him about the hack field1 and probably catching him4 ,then follows a tooth-and-nail encounter1 in which the male1 or unworthier sex1 as it is with hawks1 gets the worst of it4 ,few things can be more conducive than this to the tiresome vice of carrying4 ,it is for this reason that1 in the case of merlins1 which are especially addicted to this fault1 ,i do not much believe in the board system4 ,on the other hand1 it has its advocates and its advantages4 ,hawks which are so hacked soon become much wilder than when treated in another way4 ,and wildness1 at this period of a hawk's life1 is a thing to be desired4 ,board-school hawks1 when taken up1 are found to more nearly resemble a wild-caught bird4 ,they seldom or never scream4 ,they have none of the namby-pamby1 molly-coddle habits of the fist-fed or lure-fed eyess4 ,they do not hang about round the trainer1 or follow him like spaniels4 ,on the contrary1 they often will not come down to the board unless he retires to a respectful distance4 ,they are unapproachable by any louts or strollers who may come in sight1 and1 being shy1 take wing very readily1 and generally get more flying1 and at a better pace4 ,if the lure system is chosen1 the trainer goes to the hack field at feeding-times with as many lures as there are hawks at hack4 ,each lure must be so heavy that the hawk cannot move it at all1 and the food must be attached so that it cannot be pulled off while uneaten4 ,to the first hawk which comes up the first lure will be thrown out2 to the second comer another2 and so on till the last is served4 ,fighting will occur1 no doubt1 as it is impossible to prevent two hawks from coming down to one lure4 ,but1 then1 the master of the ceremonies is at hand to separate the combatants1 and keep each to her own lure1 whereas at the board they have to just fight it out4 ,it is much the same thing with the fist-feeding system4 ,but this can hardly be attempted with success when many big hawks are at hack together4 ,as the trainer comes to the hack field1 the hack hawks will come up1 taking perch on his hand1 his head1 his shoulder1 or wherever they can find a place4 ,two or three may generally be accommodated on the left forearm and fist4 ,from his meat-box or feeding-pouch the trainer will take out with his right hand the prepared mouthfuls of food1 and distribute them impartially among the hungry claimants4 ,but if there is more than one hawk out1 it will be found almost necessary1 and certainly convenient1 to use lures as well4 ,after a few morsels have been distributed1 these lures can be thrown down for all the hawks except one1 which may finish her meal on the fist4 ,one day one hawk may thus be retained1 and another day another may take her turn1 so that all keep up their habit of feeding freely there4 ,sparrow-hawks which are to be hacked on this system may be coped a little before they are turned out1 for they have a way of digging in their claws to any soft place4 ,but a goshawk can only be hacked to the fist if she or he is the only one out4 ,the spectacle of a falconer 7or ostringer1 to use the correct word7 with a goshawk's claws firmly fixed in his head or shoulder would be a rare subject for a serio-comic portrait6 ,meal-times for the hack hawks should be pretty punctually observed4 ,otherwise the hawks will become irregular in their habits1 and the falconer will be compelled rather to dance attendance on them than they on him4 ,the food may be left out on the board for an hour each time1 and then removed1 before it has become fly-blown or soaked with rain or frizzled in the sun4 #f to #g a4m41 noon to #a1 and #f to #g p4m41 are very good hours4 ,and each time when the board is garnished and the food in readiness1 the trainer may blow a whistle1 or ring a bell1 or sound a gong1 to give notice from afar4 ,at each meal there must be calling over2 and if there is any absentee a mark must be recorded against his or her name4 ,a bath or two must be set out in the hack field4 ,from about #i to #aa a4m4 it should be kept pretty full of clean fresh water2 but it should be removed or emptied before noon4 ,most hawks are very capricious about bathing2 and hobbies1 which want it most1 will seldom bathe at all4 ,the others should be accustomed to bathe early in the day1 so that when they are old they will not depart from this godly habit4 ,plenty of blocks should stand around1 on which the bathed hawks may stand to sun and air themselves4 ,the longer the period of hack can be safely protracted the better for the hack hawk and her trainer4 ,all the while she is learning to fly4 ,during the latter part she is also learning to chase and to stoop4 ,here it is that the danger comes in4 ,for in that ardour of youthful chase what kills may come6 ,at first the random shots made from tall tree-tops at passing swallows will be wide enough of the mark4 ,even the young missel-thrushes or wood-pigeons which have frequented the hack ground will make light of the clumsy efforts made to cut them down2 and the house-pigeons from the nearest dovecot will treat with supreme contempt the well-meaning but awkward stoops made at them4 ,but every day finds the young hawks more expert1 as well as stronger on the wing4 ,the long feathers are now all down4 ,the shafts harden1 and no longer bend perceptibly as the wing-tips strike the air4 ,presently the flights at wild birds are no longer mere child's play4 ,the fugitives have to exert themselves to save their skins4 ,very likely the young hunters of the air are not at first altogether in earnest4 ,secure of their food at the hack board or lure or fist1 and trusting to it for their subsistence1 they are merely having a lark with the intruders on what has begun to be their domain4 ,but it is increasingly difficult to know how much of their endeavours is play and how much real business4 ,be sure1 however1 that when any stoop1 whether playful or not1 proves successful1 and the unfortunate victim is in the pursuer's clutch1 there will be no more play2 and on some lonely patch of ground not fifty miles from the hack field there will be left a litter of feathers1 the mortal remains of the first quarry killed by hawks of the year4 ,let me here quote from my hawk diary3 #ab noon2 out to hack field1 and follow a blackbird down ,butt's orchard hedge4 ,nearing the corner1 blackbird 7young cock7 takes across the orchard4 ,drop him1 winged1 as he goes over the front hedge2 and he falls in the hack field4 ,jubilee eyess male merlin is on a block in the middle of it1 #ij yards off4 ,it is his third day out4 ,as the blackbird falls1 he starts1 and1 stooping at it as it runs1 takes it1 kills it1 and begins to plume it like a wild hawk before ,i get up4 ,pretty sharp work this for a little hawk that had never used his wings till the day before yesterday4 ,but this capture of a winged bird was not counted as a kill2 and ,jubilee was left out for a good eight days more1 and might probably have been left a few longer4 ,hack hawks know no sentimental scruples about taking their prey on the ground4 ,here is another extract from a hawk diary3 #f4cj a4m41 out and fed hack hawks on lure4 ',she' not visible4 ,at #g saw her on wire fence1 half-way across park4 ,as ,i got near with lure she started1 and1 flying low over the ground away from me1 turned suddenly1 and dropped on some bird in the grass4 ,was pluming it1 when heifers came right up to her4 ,then lifted1 and carried into the lower belt4 ,quarry looked like a missel-thrush4 ,the same day ,she was taken up4 ,it is a risky thing to leave hawks out after they have once begun serious and successful chasing4 ,yet it is a thousand pities to take them up too soon1 just when they are improving most rapidly4 ,peregrines may be left out1 with heavy hack-bells1 for four weeks or occasionally more4 ,merlins seldom more than three weeks4 ,if the hack place and its neighbourhood are very open1 and the wild birds about are few1 there is less danger1 and less need for hurry4 ,but when the trees and bushes are well stocked with wood-pigeons1 thrushes1 and small birds1 beware4 ,it is now that the advantage will be seen of putting distinctive jesses on the hawks4 ,the trainer must watch the board carefully4 ,he may not be able to get within #hj yards of it4 ,but from his hiding-place1 be it far or near1 he must tell over the number of his charges every morning1 noon1 and evening1 so as to see that all have been down4 ,a field-glass may be necessary to identify each visitant4 ,brown-jess may come down at #f a4m41 take a light breakfast1 and be off4 ,white-jess may not appear till #ab2 and even then no signs of ,black-jess4 ,the case begins to look serious4 ,but at #ab4ej at last a hawk comes down4 ,is this the truant8 ,or is it ,brown-jess again1 with her luncheon appetite come on8 ,the glass will tell you quickly if the colour of the jesses worn corresponds to the one name or the other4 ,but if both hawks wore the same coloured jesses1 you could not say4 ,if the last comer is ,black-jess--only delayed till so late by mere want of appetite--she may be left out1 perhaps for some days longer4 ,and the extra days' exercise will undoubtedly make her a faster and stronger hawk4 ,but if you cannot tell one hawk from another1 it will be impossible for you to know when one has missed two successive meals or not4 ,if ,black-jess absents herself all day until the evening repast1 the inference is strong that in the morning she killed something for herself4 ,if she keeps away for a whole day1 that conclusion becomes almost a certainty4 ,she must be taken up when the first chance occurs4 ,here1 however1 arises a fresh difficulty4 ,if it is a tiercel who so absents himself--especially a small tiercel--the presumption that he has killed for himself is pretty well conclusive4 ,but what if it is a falcon8 ,her brother may have chased and killed2 and the sister--a slow hawk who could not catch anything for herself--may have seen the flight1 or seen the tiercel pluming his dead quarry1 and then come up1 and by her superior strength driven him off1 and pirated the spoil4 ,you1 wrongly inferring that it was she who killed the quarry1 will take her up the next day1 quite prematurely1 and leave the real captor1 who is much more worthy of bonds and imprisonment1 to remain in dangerous liberty4 ,the same doubt may arise when the absentee is an extra strong and extra greedy bird of either sex4 ,that she or he has breakfasted or dined out is1 of course1 equally clear4 ,but was it the captive of her own wings and talons that she devoured1 or that of a weaker1 but cleverer1 hawk8 ,these are questions impossible to answer1 unless some person has actually seen what occurred4 ,the safest plan1 though not the most magnanimous1 when such evidence cannot be got1 is1 when one hawk has clearly been killing1 to take the whole lot up4 ,hack hawks are as various in their habits at hack as they are at all other times4 ,some are lazy1 some active1 some both by fits and starts4 ,one will be playful1 and find a childish delight in chasing butterflies or falling leaves4 ,others1 surly and ill-tempered1 ready on slight provocation to make vicious stoops at their brethren or sisters4 ,some will sit for hours sullenly on a post2 others will fly long distances for their own amusement1 and soar aloft to a good height4 ,these are the most promising4 ,the falconer1 if he keeps his eyes open1 will have learnt before hack is over pretty well the relative speeds and particular dispositions of his wards4 ,rarely are these early indications falsified in after-life4 ,but a backward hawk is not necessarily a bad hawk4 ,during quite the last days of hack a hawk which had seemed rather dull and slow will sometimes wake up1 and put on pace in an astonishing way1 until from being a member of the awkward squad she comes to rival the leaders of the whole school in activity and speed4 ,but a sulky and moping hawk seldom turns out first-rate4 ,speed is the great desideratum in a hawk4 ,it is like the big battalions in an army2 like a good eye to a cricketer4 ,when people complain about bad-tempered hawks1 it is often the trainer who is to blame4 ,but in the matter of speed1 as shown at hack time1 the trainer is hardly1 if at all1 responsible4 ,bad temper is a nuisance1 no doubt1 and a difficulty4 ,but want of speed is worse4 ,it is incurably destructive of good sport4 ,and here1 speaking of the relative speeds of hawks at hack1 ,i will ask leave to relate two anecdotes4 ,queen1 a powerful and speedy1 but not very brilliant flier1 went off with a rabbit's head1 pursued by her sister and two brothers4 ,winding about along the side of a long hedge1 now one side and now the other1 she evaded all their stoops1 and1 after reaching the end of the hedge1 where there were some elms and oaks1 dodged rapidly in and out among them1 loaded as she was1 throwing out all the pursuers1 and finally conveying her booty to a safe corner1 where she discussed it all by herself in peace4 ,on his eleventh day of hack1 ,jubilee1 the male merlin already referred to1 was sitting with his two sisters and one brother in the branches of a fallen tree in the hack field1 under which ,i was seated1 garnishing the lures for their delectation a little later on4 ,suddenly the little hawk started at his best pace right down the field4 ,i supposed that he was after some blackbird in the far hedge4 ,but before reaching it he turned1 and began mounting as he came back towards me4 ,i looked round1 and for the first time saw that a wild kestrel had come over into the field1 and was dodging the stoops made at him by the remaining merlins4 ,now this kestrel was one of a brood which had been flying at hack under their parents' care in a neighbouring field4 ,they were already strong on the wing before the merlins were turned out2 and ,i had been rather fearing1 when ,i discovered their near presence1 that they might do the young merlins a bad turn4 ,no encounter had1 however1 as yet occurred between the two families4 ,the kestrel had at first little difficulty in eluding the stoops of the three merlins1 who seemed not much in earnest4 ,but when ,jubilee came over1 at some height in the air1 there was a different tale to tell4 ,with his first stoop he made the wild hawk cry out2 at the second he almost feathered him1 and made him shuffle off to the orchard near at hand1 where1 swirling round the tree-trunks1 he threw out his assailant1 and made off to a tall elm4 ,here1 no doubt1 he fancied he was safe1 especially as the other hawks1 on ,jubilee's appearance1 tailed off4 ,but not a bit of it4 ,throwing himself well up above the elm1 the little jack dashed down at the enemy in the tree1 dislodged him1 and with a back-handed stoop drove him down to the ground1 hunted him all across a meadow1 grazing him at every shot he made1 and lost him in a big orchard farther on4 ,the pace of the wild hawk was very poor in comparison with that of this half-tame lure-hacked merlin4 ,it seemed as if the latter could have given him ten yards in a hundred4 ,in straight-ahead flying1 in mounting1 and in throwing up1 the kestrel was completely outpaced4 ,yet before now trained merlins1 as ,i have heard tell1 have been outflown and chased by a wild kestrel4 ,i should not like1 and do not ever expect1 to own such a trained merlin4 ,the day comes--all too soon--when the falconer dares to keep the hack hawks out no longer4 ,the decree goes out for one to be taken up4 ,if this one has been hacked to the fist the proceeding is simple enough4 ,as she stands complacently breakfasting on the fist1 the jesses are grasped in the fingers of the left hand4 ,a couple of snips with a sharp pair of strong nail-scissors make a slit in the two jesses4 ,and through these a spring swivel is deftly slipped4 ,attached to the swivel is a leash1 the end of which is wound round the little finger1 while the button of it is grasped in the palm of the left hand4 ,as the hawk proceeds with her meal she is taken quietly to a darkened room1 where a rufter hood is slipped on her head4 ,five minutes' carrying1 and she is placed on a mound of turf1 food and all1 while the leash1 unwound from the little finger1 is fastened to a peg strongly planted in the ground4 ,if the hawk has been hacked to the lure or to the board1 the process is a little more complicated1 but presents no real difficulty4 ,a bow-net must then be used4 ,this instrument is more fully described in the next chapter4 ,it consists of a hoop of metal on which a light net is stitched4 ,the ends are fixed down2 and the hoop is so set that a pull on a long string will bring the rim up and over any object which may be near it on the near side4 ,the object1 of course1 in this case will be the lure1 or the piece of food with which the hack board is garnished4 ,when the hawk is feeding1 the string is pulled4 ,the net swings over1 encompassing both meat and hawk4 ,up runs the falconer1 to secure the captive1 who is made fast1 hooded1 and taken home4 ,even if a hawk has begun to prey for herself1 she can still often be captured with a live lure1 that is1 a live bird attached to a light cord4 ,once find the hawk1 and let the live lure fly1 and she is pretty sure to take it4 ,then she may be snared in one of the ways described in the chapter on ,lost ,hawks4 ,a hack hawk1 once taken up1 is treated in very much the same way as a wild-caught hawk4 ,the process of reclamation begins at once4 ,and this process will be found described at length in the succeeding chapter4 ,,chapter ,v ,passage ,hawks ,all big hawks captured after they have begun to prey for themselves are now commonly called passage hawks1 although the name1 strictly speaking1 may not be at all correct4 ,wild-caught is a more inclusive term2 and it is often used in the case of sparrow-hawks1 merlins1 and hobbies1 when casually caught by bird-catchers or gamekeepers1 and not killed in the process4 ,we have seen that passage hawk means properly a hawk caught during the period of her first migration southwards4 ,it is1 however1 of course1 possible to capture her either in early autumn before the migration has commenced--in which case a peregrine is more properly called a slight falcon or slight tiercel--or late in the winter1 when she has become a lantiner1 or in the spring migration1 when she is travelling north4 ,but if she has begun to moult before she comes into man's possession1 she is correctly described as a haggard4 ,if gamekeepers were a little more alive to their own interests they would often catch sparrow-hawks1 and sometimes merlins and peregrines1 alive1 and dispose of them at a very remunerative price1 instead of killing them1 often in a most barbarous way1 by means of pole-traps and other snares1 which destroy or cripple them after hours of torture1 and render them almost valueless4 ,but for generations past no systematic attempts have been made in this country to snare wild hawks in an uninjured condition2 and if a falconer should be able to obtain any hawk so taken he may consider himself exceptionally lucky4 ,several such hawks have indeed been caught in ,england1 and1 getting rather accidentally into good hands1 have turned out very excellent performers4 ,occasionally a sparrow-hawk or merlin is saved alive out of the nets of a bird-catcher2 and these1 if heard of before their plumage is ruined1 are prizes for which many a falconer will gladly give something like their weight in silver4 ,but1 as a rule1 the full-grown hawks which come into the market are captives which have been taken on the autumnal passage by the professional hawk-catchers of ,valkenswaard1 in ,north ,brabant4 ,the sons of ,adrian ,mllen1 formerly falconer to the famous ,loo ,club1 still carry on this business of snaring peregrines on the great open heath1 which for many centuries has been resorted to for a like purpose1 and which1 of course1 takes its name from its renown as a place over which the migrants must often pass4 ,anyone who wants a wild-caught peregrine should write beforehand to one of these gentlemen1 who will probably not fail to send him what he requires4 ,they go out every year1 in the months of ,october and ,november1 and lie in wait daily in their cunningly-constructed huts until they have secured as many captives as have been ordered in various places4 ,a dozen or more are annually required for ,england1 and sometimes a few for ,france4 ,the variety most in demand is the red falcon1 that is to say1 the female peregrine in the nestling plumage1 not yet moulted4 ,but blue falcons are also sometimes wanted1 and of late years there has been some considerable demand for tiercels1 both red and blue4 ,merlins1 sparrow-hawks1 and an occasional goshawk may be taken1 and1 still more rarely1 a ger4 ,the price for a falcon is four to five pounds1 and of a tiercel from three to four4 ,but a special apparatus is required for catching the smaller hawks1 which will not usually come to the same lure as a peregrine4 ,if the captured hawk has to be kept for any length of time in the captor's hands before being fetched or sent away1 an extra charge is made for her maintenance4 ,the device whereby the wild hawk is caught in ,holland is somewhat elaborate4 ,it has more than once been described in print1 and may be briefly noticed here4 ,a hut is first built up with sods of turf in an open part of the plain4 ,it looks from outside like a mere knoll or rising in the ground4 ,a nearer inspection shows a small opening in front1 through which a man1 or at a pinch two men1 can crawl4 ,it is fitted with a low seat inside1 and at the back1 behind and above the seat1 is an aperture something like the small port-hole of a cabin1 which can be opened by pulling out a sod of turf1 and closed by replacing the same4 ,this is to enable the hawk-catcher to spy out at a hawk which is coming up from behind his back4 ,outside the hut and in front of it is a sort of small altar or table of turf1 on the flat top of which is pegged down1 by means of a short creance and jesses1 a butcher-bird or shrike4 ,scraps of meat are set out for the delectation of this feathered watchman1 who is also indulged with a miniature hut of his own1 into which he may retreat when terrified1 as it is hoped that he soon may be4 ,the eyesight of this tethered spy is so keen that he can descry his enemy the hawk at an incredible distance in the sky4 ,whenever one is approaching1 though far out of range of the sharpest human eye1 he begins to exhibit signs of alarm4 ,as the hawk comes nearer he fidgets more and more1 glancing nervously--or pointing1 as they call it--in the direction of the foe4 ,if the latter still comes nearer1 he will cry out in his terror1 and finally run cowering under the shelter of his hut4 ,meanwhile the falconer has not been idle4 ,snatching the turf shutter from the little window behind him1 he takes a look through his field-glass in the direction to which the shrike is pointing1 searching for the coming hawk as an astronomer does for a lost star4 ,if1 on espying it1 he judges that it is a peregrine1 he sets to work seriously about the main business of the day4 ,at some distance from the hut is fixed up a pole with a line--we will call it ,a--running from the top of it to the hut4 ,to this line1 at some yards distance from the pole1 is attached a branch line1 after the manner of the paternoster used in angling1 at the end of which is a live pigeon in jesses4 ,when the line ,a is slack1 the pigeon rests on the ground1 or in a hut to which he is at liberty to resort when he likes4 ,but if1 by a pull in the falconer's hut1 the line ,a is pulled taut1 up goes the pigeon in the air1 and flutters about at the end of his branch line1 conspicuous from afar4 ,often there is a second pole at a like distance from the big hut1 but in a rather different direction2 and to this a second line1 ,b1 is attached1 with a tame tiercel or peregrine of some sort1 rigged out in the same way as the pole-pigeon4 ,this hawk may have a handful of straw or worsted fastened to one of his feet1 so that he may look as if he had some dead quarry in possession1 and serve the better to attract the wild passager4 ,as the shrike points1 and the wild hawk is coming up1 the falconer works with a will by the two strings ,a and ,b at the pole-hawk and the pole-pigeon4 ,but as soon as the passager is nearly overhead1 and the shrike has hidden himself1 it is time to let loose the pole strings and let the very live lures attached to it also bolt into shelter4 ,we now come to another component part of the ,dutch hawk-trap4 ,a third line1 ,c1 leads from the hut to a small ring-peg in the ground sixty or eighty yards away1 passes through it1 and a few feet farther on1 but at the side1 is attached to a live pigeon in a box1 out of which it can be pulled by drawing the line4 ,one more particular1 and the whole apparatus is complete4 ,on each side of the ring-peg1 and about two feet from it1 are pegs which hold down the hinges of a bow-net1 something like that which was used for catching up the hack hawks4 ,the usual and best way of making a bow-net is to take two equal lengths of strong wire1 five or six feet long1 and bend each into a nearly semicircular arch4 ,the two ends of each hoop are twisted up into a ring1 and the two hoops are joined together so that a sort of easy hinge is formed at the ends4 ,a net of fine but strong string is stretched over the whole circle formed by the two hoops4 ,when it is set1 one-half of it is pegged down flat on the ground and the other is folded back over it4 ,to the middle of the upper hoop is attached a fourth long line1 ,d1 by which it can be pulled over1 so that when the line is taut the hoops form a circle1 with the net covering all the space between the hinges4 ,this will explain how the falconer1 ensconced in his hut1 can1 by a pull at the long line ,d1 passing through a ground peg to the arch of the bow-net1 pull it over the ring through which the line ,c passes4 ,thus there are four lines of which the ends lie in the floor of the hut1 each marked with a different colour1 and each requiring to be worked with prompt and accurate skill at the eventful moment4 ,we can now understand the whole process of entrapping the passage hawk1 and shall find that it includes the following movements3--7#a7 ,pointing of the shrike2 7#b7 removal of the turf shutter1 and observation of the coming hawk through the field-glass2 7#c7 pulling of the lines ,a and ,b1 by which the pole-pigeon and the pole-hawk are made to flutter or fly about and show themselves2 7#d7 slackening of these lines and escape of the pole-pigeon1 pole-hawk1 and shrike1 under their respective places of shelter4 ,by this time the wild hawk ought to be close at hand1 and eagerly looking out for the pigeon which has so mysteriously disappeared4 ,then 7#e7 tightening of the line ,c1 by which the hitherto unseen pigeon is pulled out of his box1 and displayed to the expectant hawk above2 7#f7 capture of this pigeon by the hawk4 ,next 7#g7 a much stronger and steadier pull is given to the line ,c1 by which the far end of it is dragged--pigeon1 hawk1 and all--towards the ring between the horns of the bow-net4 ,as soon as the pigeon1 with the hawk upon it1 has got to this ring1 a piece of tape or ribbon fastened on to a particular place on the line ,c will have been pulled to a certain place within the hut1 and will warn the falconer that he need pull it no farther1 as all things are now ready for the next and most critical move4 ,then1 holding the line ,c still tight in one hand1 the operator 7#h7 will1 with a quick well-sustained effort1 tighten the line ,d1 and pull the net over hawk and pigeon4 ,all that remains now for the falconer to do is 7#i7 to make fast the end of the line ,d round a peg fixed in the hut for that purpose1 and then 7#aj7 to run out1 with his best leg foremost1 and take the captive out of the net4 ,the reader may think this rather a needlessly elaborate and complicated device2 but it is a very sure one1 when the operator does not bungle4 ,it has stood the test of many centuries1 and is as good now as it was in the days of ,alfred the ,great4 ,there is no doubt that by means of such an apparatus--slightly simplified1 perhaps--wild peregrines might be taken on the ,wiltshire and ,berkshire downs4 ,lord ,lilford once had a hut or huts out in ,england with some success4 ,a similar apparatus1 with a less elaborate hiding-place1 would enable keepers or shepherds to catch many a sparrow-hawk and some merlins4 ,for the former there is almost always a good demand4 ,so far is it from being true1 as many books assert1 that sparrow-hawks are easy to procure1 there are always half a dozen falconers in ,england who are vainly wishing that they could lay hands on one4 ,to extract a wild hawk of any kind1 but especially a ger1 peregrine1 or goshawk1 from the bow-net is sometimes no laughing matter4 ,to set about it with thickly-gloved hands involves much awkwardness1 and is not unlikely1 in the case of an inexperienced man1 to end in the loss of the hawk4 ,there is also the danger of breaking feathers1 or even a bone in the wing or leg4 ,on the other hand1 to go to work with even one hand ungloved exposes you1 unless you are adroit beyond the average of human beings1 to some particularly painful punctures and gashes4 ,there are eight talons or claws1 each as sharp as a needle1 awaiting your attack1 and it will not be the hawk's fault if she does not maul you with them4 ,as for the beak1 it is well-nigh sharp and strong enough to nip a piece clean out of the back of your hand4 ,yet the prisoner must be got out somehow1 and moreover must be held quiet while a pair of jesses and a hood or sock are put on4 ,a sock is an article of unpretentious but sterling value to the hawk-catcher4 ,sometimes it is not a real sock1 but a strait-waistcoat of more artificial kind made to serve as an improved imitation of the homely article of clothing originally used by the old falconers4 ,but the common and unimproved sock is quite good enough for the hawk-catcher's purpose4 ,it is turned inside out1 in the way familiar to washerwomen1 so that at the heel there is an open end1 while the toe and top of the sock form the other end4 ,into that open heel is pushed the head of the captured hawk4 ,the sock itself is then drawn bodily on to and over the hawk's shoulders4 ,the beak1 being hooked downwards1 will not interfere with the operation4 ,the soft covering is pulled down right over the back1 chest1 and thighs of the victim1 until nothing but the tail and the tips of the wings protrude4 ,if it fits tolerably1 the hawk will be effectually strait-waistcoated1 and may be laid down on its back like an overturned turtle4 ,a man's sock1 big or little1 fits a falcon or tiercel fairly2 and a boy's or child's sock may be used for the smaller hawks4 ,before the sock is used a couple of tapes may be sewn across it1 one three or four inches from the toe1 and another five or six inches farther back1 so that when it is on the ends of one tape may be tied--not tightly1 of course--round the throat of the captive hawk just in front of the shoulders1 and the ends of the other tape round the back1 just above the tail4 ,the toe of the sock may then be cut off1 so that the hawk's head is left free4 ,the first captive1 once reduced to quiescence for the time being1 will be laid out on the floor of the hut or near it1 while the falconer returns to his watch-place4 ,for there is no reason why he should not effect another1 or even more captures1 in the same day4 ,climatic influences or mere chance may have ordained that for a week or more he should have had no chance1 and yet now the hawks should come fast and furiously to the decoy4 ,long-winged hawks1 unlike woodcocks and many other migratory birds1 travel with the wind in their faces2 and they by no means hurry on their way1 pausing1 sometimes for some days at a time1 at any place where quarry is abundant1 where the bathing is good1 and where1 perhaps1 there are other attractions which we dull1 earth-treading mortals cannot understand or appreciate4 ,as night comes on1 the captives are carried home in their socks1 and a rufter hood is put on1 after which the socks are cut off1 and they are set down on a hillock of soft turf1 or1 if they show no signs of violent uneasiness1 on the screen-perch1 the leash having1 of course1 in either case been attached and made fast4 ,from this moment the person for whom the hawk is intended should by rights assume the ownership and charge of her4 ,it would be absurd to suppose that the hawk-catcher1 however good a falconer he may be1 should act as trainer too1 when he has to go out on the morrow1 and perhaps for many days afterwards1 to entrap other hawks4 ,before bedtime1 in the long evening of late autumn1 a grand attempt should be made to induce the newly-caught hawk to eat4 ,if she was caught early in the day1 and had not already breakfasted1 it is possible that the attempt may succeed1 especially if she is of a placid and philosophic turn of mind4 ,but do not think that success will1 even then1 be easily achieved4 ,you may very likely have to wait a long time4 ,different men1 of course1 have different methods of persuading a newly-caught hawk to feed2 but all agree that it is a very difficult job4 ,many of the books advise the drawing of meat across her feet as she stands on the fist1 and repeating this until she begins to pick at it4 ,perhaps ,i have never sufficiently tested this plan4 ,i do not think ,i can honestly say that ,i have ever drawn the seductive morsel of meat more than a hundred times successively over the feet of the unwilling feeder4 ,but ,i must confess that the process1 even when protracted to this moderate length1 is a little tedious4 ,for my own part ,i have found that1 if she is touched lightly on the shoulder with a finger of the right hand1 she will generally strike out with open beak in the direction of the offending finger--not1 of course1 with any idea of eating anything1 or even any very defined intention of biting her assailant1 but in a mere spirit of anger and defiance4 ,if1 then1 between the moment of touching her and that when the blow with the beak is struck you can substitute in the place of the finger a juicy slice of raw beef1 there is quite a good chance that she will seize it4 ,at the first trial she will not swallow it4 ,probably she will bate off and make a scene4 ,nevertheless1 a certain taste of very delectable food will linger in her mouth1 and when peace is restored she will take note of this4 ,at the second trial she may possibly retain the meat a little longer1 and make less ado4 ,by and by a small scrap of it may be torn off before she gets rid of it2 and this1 if it is at all sticky1 and cannot be flipped off with a shake of the head1 will be swallowed4 ,now1 if everything is done very gently and quietly1 there is a chance that she may strike out again with some real notion that there is food to strike at4 ,directly she takes the meat and gives anything like a pull at it1 let a morsel come off4 ,if the meat is really quite soft it will be easy to manage this4 ,by degrees she will1 if hungry1 begin to take more kindly to the lesson4 ,as often as you can get a small morsel seized by her1 however unwittingly1 she will1 if only to get rid of it1 pull it with her tongue down the natural lane where it is intended to go4 ,and at length she will voluntarily pull through the hood the viands which are so very ready at her service4 ,let her then take as much as ever she will4 ,it is not likely to be very much4 ,keep her either on your own fist or on the fist of some assistant all through the first night1 without allowing her to sleep a wink4 ,and until she has fed keep on at times tempting her to do so4 ,wild-caught hawks may quite well be kept nearly twenty-four hours without food4 ,eagles may be kept even for two or three days without much injury2 and goshawks for a day and a half4 ,but twenty-four hours is too long for a very small hawk1 which must have been already hungry when she came to the decoy4 ,and if you can feed any hawk soon after her capture1 so much the better4 ,anything like starvation is now completely tabooed by falconers pretending to any knowledge of their art4 ,to reduce a hawk while in process of reclamation is no more than you will be obliged to do4 ,for it is hopeless to expect to keep a passager1 or indeed any trained hawk1 in quite such high condition as a wild hawk keeps herself4 ,but a thin hawk is a disgrace to the trainer4 ,if you cannot reclaim your hawk without submitting her to such hunger as will make her weak and poor1 you had better abandon falconry and try some less difficult form of sport4 ,possibly before your hawk will feed1 and while you are carrying her1 you will find that she wants to cast4 ,with her last meal eaten in freedom1 she is pretty sure to have swallowed some castings4 ,ten to one she has thrown these up before she came to your decoy pigeon4 ,but it is possible she may not4 ,moreover1 if the first hood she wears is an easy one1 well cut away at the beak opening1 she may cast through the hood4 ,but if she is seen making efforts to cast1 and is prevented by the hood from doing so1 take her into a nearly dark room or passage4 ,remove the hood with the fingers and teeth1 and1 when she has thrown up her casting1 slip it on again4 ,otherwise she may possibly choke herself in the vain attempt to cast4 ,of course you will not dream of allowing her1 for days to come1 to eat anything anywhere except on the fist4 ,if a wild-caught hawk is so rampageous from the first that she will not stand on the fist at all without jumping off1 she must be left on the turf mound1 but by no means be allowed to go to sleep4 ,an attendant must be at hand who will effectually prevent this by touching her whenever she seems to be dozing off4 ,a few hours of this stirring-up will make her ready enough to keep quiet on the fist when she has a chance4 ,and a few hours more will make her willing enough to stand still there1 even when the fist is moved unsteadily about4 ,we will suppose now that the passager has at last fed moderately but unstintingly through the hood upon the fist2 that she can be carried about on it without much risk of bating off2 and that she has had no sleep since she was brought in4 ,she may now be stroked gently with an uncut pencil or short stick1 first on the back1 then on the breast and legs4 ,some writers advise doing this with a feather2 but the stick is far preferable4 ,the time has now arrived for releasing her for a while from the hood4 ,but before this is done1 she must be taken into a room which is nearly dark1 so that on the removal of the hood she can hardly see her way about4 ,the time chosen should also be when she is sharp-set2 and a tempting piece of food should be under her feet at the time4 ,as she pulls at it1 more light may be let in2 and possibly she will keep at her meal quietly until it is nearly or quite broad daylight in the place4 ,but most falconers first unhood their hawks by candlelight4 ,then one candle may be first lighted at one end of a long room1 when hawk and man are at the other4 ,if all goes well1 a second may be lighted1 and then the man1 keeping a sharp eye on his hawk1 may walk slowly towards them into the fuller light4 ,thus by degrees1 taking care not to proceed too fast1 or ever alarm the pupil1 she may be made tame enough to feed bareheaded even in the open air4 ,the old falconers used to seel their wild-caught hawks1 stitching up the eyelids so as to make them blind2 and anyone who is neat-handed enough to be able to seel a hawk without causing her any pain or injury may find it a good plan now to adopt this system4 ,then1 suppose there are four stitches in each eyelid1 on the first day of unseeling the pair nearest the beak may be removed1 and one more pair on each succeeding day1 till the whole eye is free4 ,but seeling1 as a matter of fact1 has now gone quite out of fashion in this country4 ,many modern amateurs also seem to disbelieve in the expediency of waking wild-caught hawks1 i4e4 preventing them from sleeping4 ,and true it is that this expedient is not absolutely necessary4 ,but one may safely say that a hawk which is waked well directly after it is captured will be reclaimed three or four times as soon and as easily as one which is not4 ,i have spoken of slipping the hood on and off a hawk as if it were a thing that the falconer1 whether experienced or not1 could accomplish without bungling4 ,but it must not be inferred that the operation is easy4 ,probably it is the part of a falconer's first duties which is more difficult than any other4 ,even amongst expert falconers it is not altogether common to find a really good hooder4 ,the knack of hooding is only to be acquired1 like other fine arts1 by long and assiduous practice4 ,for this reason1 if for no other1 every beginner should try his 'prentice hand on a kestrel before he aspires to a peregrine or merlin4 ,if he can by any means make acquaintance with a graduate in the art of falconry who is known to hood well1 let him observe minutely his method and manner1 and after each lesson practise on the corpus vile of the knave's hawk to acquire the same facility which he has seen his senior to possess4 ,example in this case is more valuable than precept4 ,but do not1 by any mistake1 become a pupil of a bad hooder6 ,in the hands of a bungler no hawk can well be good-tempered1 whereas in the hands of a first-rate master she will stand to the hood as if she rather liked it4 ,when ,adrian ,mllen was with the ,loo ,club in ,holland one of the king's brothers came to him for a fortnight1 for an hour every day1 simply and solely to learn how to hood4 ,there are various manners of putting the hood on4 ,some hold the base of the plume between the right forefinger and thumb1 and1 passing it slowly up the breast of the hawk1 pop it on quickly over the beak1 and with a tap on the forehead push it back into its place4 ,others hold the hood by the plume between the fore edge of the palm and the inside of the base of the thumb1 and1 presenting the palm of the hand right in front of the hawk's face1 push it forwards1 and cause the beak to pass through the opening1 raising the wrist afterwards so as to force the back of the hood down on to the nape4 ,in any case there must be an appearance of quiet deliberation about the movements made1 combined with a certain amount of actual quickness4 ,the hood used in learning to hood should be an easy one1 very much cut away at the beak opening4 ,and the hawk herself must be first so far manned that she will allow the intending hooder to pass his hand over the crown of her head1 and to stroke her on the back without making any objection1 or exhibiting any uneasiness4 ,she should be accustomed to the sight of the hood1 and have often been allowed to pick nice little morsels of meat from the outside of it4 ,then she may be allowed to pick a clean piece or two from the inside of it2 and from the beak opening1 under which1 as the hood lies upside-down in your hand1 you hold the seductive morsel4 ,if a hawk is so treated as to become the least afraid of the hood1 it will be a work of dire difficulty1 and almost impossibility in awkward hands1 to break her to it1 or cure her of the vice4 ,and hawks are sometimes to be seen so mismanaged by their owners that they get into a state of mind at the mere sight of the obnoxious head-dress4 ,a hood-shy hawk is not only a nuisance1 but a discredit to her trainer4 ,when the hawk has once gone so far as to dip her beak into the hood in search of a scrap of food1 it requires no great dexterity to slip it over her head4 ,while doing so the knuckles of the left hand should be turned slightly outwards1 so that the hawk's head is naturally projected forwards towards the hood1 and cannot easily be drawn back2 whereas as soon as the hood is on the same knuckles should be turned a little inwards so that the head is held up4 ,the braces can then be seized1 one in the right finger and thumb1 and the other by the teeth1 and pulled tight1 before the wearer can jerk or shake it off4 ,merlins are of all hawks the most difficult to hood1 owing to their extreme vivacity and the quickness with which they discern and anticipate any movement of the trainer4 ,but then their amenability to kind treatment is also so great that they can be handled1 like a horse or dog1 without offence1 if a little patience is exhibited4 ,and1 once well broken to the hood1 they will stand to it as well as peregrines or goshawks4 ,gers have a reputation for often being hood-shy2 but perhaps the proper treatment of them1 in this as in other respects1 is now imperfectly understood4 ,the early steps in the process of reclaiming passagers were so well described four centuries ago by ,turbervile that ,i cannot do better than quote1 on this subject1 his exact words4 ,after giving instructions for seeling the captive1 and putting on of bells1 jesses1 and swivel1 he continues3 ,being thus furnished you shall go about to man her1 handling her often gently1 and both to avoide the sharpnes of her beake as also the better rebuke her from biting and nipping1 you shall have a straight smoothe sticke1 as bigge as your finger1 and halfe a foot long or more1 with the which you shal gently stroke your hawk about the pinions of her wings and downwards athwart all her train4 ,and if she chance to knap or byte at the sticke let her bite hardly1 for that will rebuke her thereof1 whereas your hand being twitched away fearfully would make her proceed the more eagerly4 ,to man her well you must watch all the night and keepe her on your fist1 and you must teach her to feed seeled2 and having a great and easie rufter hood1 you must hood and unhood her oftentimes1 seeled as she is here we see the advantage of seeling1 handling her gently about the head1 and coying her alwayes when you unhood her1 to the end she take no disdayne or displeasure against her keeper4 ,and also to make her plume and tyre sometimes upon a wing1 and keepe her so on the first day and night without perching of her1 untill she be wearie1 and suffer you to hoode her gently and stirre not2 and correct her of her ramage toyes1 especially of snapping and biting1 stroking her evermore as before said with your sticke4 ,but if it happen 7as it doth sometimes7 that your chance be to have a ,falcon so ramage and shewde-mettled1 that she will not leave her snapping and biting1 then take a dose of ,garlicke cleane pilled1 or a little aloes cicatrina1 and when she byteth or snappeth at your hand or stick1 offer her the ,garlicke or aloes1 and let her bite it1 for either the strong sent of the ,garlicke or the bitter taste of the aloes will quickly make her leave off4 ,and here ,i thinke good to expresse mine opinion1 that hee which taketh in hand to be a ,falconer1 ought first to be very patient and therwithall to take singular delight in a ,hawke1 so that hee may seeme to bee in love 7as it were naturally7 with his ,hawke4 ,for hee which taketh not that delight1 but doth rather exercise it for a pompe and a boast1 in mine opinion1 shall seldome prove a perfect ,falconer1 but a mar-hawke1 and shall beare the bagge after a right ,falconer4 ,when your ,hawke1 being so seeled1 doth feede well1 and will abide the ,hoode1 and to be handled without striking or biting at your hand1 then in an evening by candle light you shall unseele her1 and when you have hooded her take her on your fist1 and holde her so all night untill day appeare againe1 doing off her ,hoode oftentimes1 and handling her gently with your hand1 stroking her softly about the wings and the body1 hooding and unhooding of her and giving her sometimes to feede1 a morsell or twain1 or sometimes tyring or plumage4 ,but above all things you must watch her on the fist so many nights together without setting her downe on any pearch1 that shee may be wearie and suffer you to hoode and handle her gently without any manner of resistance1 and untill shee have altogether left and forgotten her striking and byting at your hand2 but some hawkes will be long before they leave that fault1 as the more coy or ramage that they be1 the longer they will retain all those ill tatches1 and will not peradventure be wonne from them in three1 foure1 or five dayes4 ,when she is well reclaymed from it then may you let her sit upon a pearch to rest her4 ,but every night you shall doe well to keepe her on the fist three or foure houres1 handling her and stroking her gently and causing her to tyre or to plume1 alwayes making much of her1 and hooding and unhooding her oftentimes1 as before said4 ,and the like you may doe also by daylight but in a chamber apart where she may see no great light1 untill she feed surely and eagerly without dread4 ,if your ,hawke be thus in foure or five dayes manned so that she begin to feede eagerly and boldly1 then you shal first begin to make her know your whistle or the chirping of your mouth1 and afterwards your voice4 ,and he goes on to advise the giving of a live pullet in a place where there is just enough light for the hawk to see it1 and then to chyrpe with your voyce and use those other sounds which ,falconers do to their hawks2 and recommends for the ordinary feeding of the haggard falcon1 while being reclaimed1 pullets not very old1 and calves' hearts1 weathers' hearts1 and hogs' hearts1 and1 if she is not eager for her food1 to wash the meat either in cold water or wine1 and occasionally to give her1 fasting1 as much sugar candy as the quantity of a small nut4 ,the duration of the process of manning varies greatly1 according to the breed and individual character of the pupil4 ,wild-caught merlins can be reclaimed by a skilled man in a few days1 whereas if you can reclaim a haggard peregrine in less than a month you will have something to boast of4 ,short-winged hawks1 if not well waked at the first1 generally require a long time1 although this is not invariably the case4 ,every falconer is familiar with the story of ,sir ,john ,sebright's historic sparrow-hawk1 which killed a wild partridge on the tenth day after it was caught4 ,but some few sparrow-hawks are as good-tempered1 if skilfully treated1 as others are rebellious and obstreperous4 ,waking will enable the most unamiable pupil to be manned in much less than half the time which would be otherwise required4 ,a judicious use of the hood is also essential4 ,while the hawk is still feeding freely1 unhooded1 and with a good appetite1 she should be hooded up before she begins to be at all satiated4 ,for bating on a full crop is to be particularly avoided at all times4 ,the remaining part of the meal can be pulled through the hood4 ,when a hawk eats readily on the fist indoors1 she is not yet more than half reclaimed unless she will do the same in the open air4 ,there is a vast difference between the one thing and the other4 ,first take her out a little way in the twilight1 or in an ill-lighted place at night1 with food in her foot1 on the fist4 ,then in the same place when there are men about4 ,by degrees she will begin to think it natural enough to feed on the hand2 and a tiring1 tougher and tougher every day1 may be substituted for the succulent viands by which her attention at first had to be kept up4 ,beware at the first1 however1 of carrying a hawk bareheaded1 unless she has something to amuse herself withal4 ,the chances are that you may rather make her more wild than more tame1 if she feels that nothing but the jesses and leash confine her to her new perch4 ,throughout this period and during all the early stages of training1 the grand secret of discipline is carrying4 ,it would perhaps be difficult to say why the mere transporting of a hawk1 hooded or unhooded1 upon the glove from place to place should have so great an effect2 but the experience of centuries has shown that it does1 and this ought to be enough for the beginner4 ,when he has carried hawks for some hundreds of hours1 he will acknowledge the truth of the old theory2 then possibly he will be able to explain it to others or to himself4 ,in the meantime he will do well to take it on trust1 and adopt the practice without question4 ,if1 as he walks about or rides or sits--for the ambulatory part of the process is not compulsory--he is amongst other people1 it will be all the better4 ,the sound of the human voice1 naturally and instinctively trying to all wild creatures1 will by familiarity with it become less alarming4 ,and with the diminution of the uneasiness originally caused by the voice will come a lessening of the distrust felt for the man who owns the voice4 ,it is almost needless to say that the falconer's voice1 especially at times when the hawk is unhooded and in sight1 should be soft and soothing in tone4 ,we modern trainers do not use the voice much1 as the old falconers did1 in educating and directing our pupils4 ,and therein1 probably1 we make a great mistake4 ,but1 however incredulous anyone may be as to the charms of the falconer's voice for which ,juliet so prettily sighed1 it is at least natural to suppose that the harsh tones of an angry or peevish man must give any intelligent animal a bad notion of his character1 and1 by analogy1 of that of the whole human race4 ,the actions of the trainer should1 like the voice1 be gentle and conciliatory4 ,in fact his whole behaviour1 when in his pupil's presence1 must be1 as ,turbervile recommends1 friendly1 lovable1 and free from offence4 ,sit procul omne nefas3 ut ameris1 amabilis esto6 ,and the hawk should not only like the trainer1 but also respect him for his equanimity and self-control4 ,do you not want to convince your disciple that you are wiser as well as stronger than she8 and yet that you are ready to pay respect to her own pride1 and even some of her prejudices8 ,maxima debetur falconi reverentia2 and if you exhibit petulance and ill-temper yourself1 how can you expect that she will be amiable in return8 ,rough and sudden movements must never be made in the near neighbourhood of an unhooded hawk4 ,nay1 they must be very watchfully guarded against1 or they are nearly sure to be involuntarily made4 ,has a gnat got into your eye1 as you are walking about with an unhooded hawk8 ,your natural impulse is to raise the right hand quickly to brush it away4 ,but that abrupt movement1 so natural and almost instinctive on your part1 is not at all expected by the hawk1 as she stands close by4 ,a catching of the breath and a half-spreading of the wings1 if nothing worse1 will very likely show you that you have made a mistake2 and1 if the hawk is a shy one1 you will be lucky if the little incident1 trifling as it may appear1 does not lead to a bout of bating and a feeling of resentment and suspicion for the future4 ,when walking along with an unhooded1 half-broken hawk1 be on the look-out for everything that may by any chance cause alarm4 ,women are more to be dreaded than men2 children more than women4 ,dogs are the worst of all1 especially if they bark and rush about4 ,steer clear of them all at first2 and in passing them keep them always on your right hand1 so that they are never behind the hawk's back4 ,getting over a gate or stile1 be careful how you step down4 ,the sinking of the left hand always annoys the hawk standing upon it4 ,very naturally2 for she feels that her perch is1 as it were1 dropping away from under her4 ,do all descents1 therefore1 even down an easy flight of steps1 with as few jerks as possible4 ,when riding or driving with a hawk on the fist1 accommodate the whole left arm to the movement of the horse or the vehicle4 ,a skilled falconer will hold his hand almost still while his whole body is being jogged about in a jolting dogcart or wobbling railway carriage4 ,just as you may sometimes see a hawk with her eye fixed steadily on some spot1 and her head in the same place1 like a fixed star1 while her whole body is moved up or down by an independent action4 ,beware also of getting near any obstacle against which your hawk may by any sudden movement strike the tip of a wing4 ,in passing through a gate or door1 for instance1 or under a small archway1 give the gate-posts and walls a wide berth4 ,never wear a hard-brimmed hat yourself1 nor go near any person who has a stiff hat or anything stiff about his clothing4 ,in short1 never risk the accidental breakage of a feather4 ,carrying is therefore not quite such a simple matter as it at first appears to be4 ,but it must be persevered in without any intermission until the hawk is thoroughly manned4 ,for1 all the time the hawk sits contentedly on the fist1 she is learning a lesson that must eventually be taught her4 ,hawks are amongst the creatures most easily taught4 ,they learn any lesson skilfully and diligently taught them with an ease that often astonishes the trainer himself2 and1 having once learnt it1 they are in no hurry to forget4 ,the artificial habit1 once grafted on their nature1 becomes almost a component part of it4 ,but1 as they learn quickly to do well1 so they also learn quickly how to do otherwise4 ,if you do not make a friend of your pupil1 she will soon begin to regard you as an enemy4 ,and then farewell to any hope of making a good servant of her4 ,manning includes1 of course1 habituating her to the company not only of men1 but also of dogs1 horses1 and all other animals and things which she is at all likely to meet with in her artificial existence of the future4 ,she must be gradually introduced into society2 and1 like a young lady of fashion1 her dbut will probably be made at nighttime4 ,streets more or less frequented may be visited with advantage by gaslight1 or under the rather weird rays of the electric light4 ,the extent of the publicity courted must be graduated according to the progress made by the dbutante4 ,if the main street is found too noisy or exciting1 walk away down the side street4 ,if that is too monotonous1 stroll into an inn-yard or a billiard-room4 ,when my lady shows signs of shying at an approaching object1 sheer off a little1 and create a diversion of some kind1 perhaps by giving a pull at the meat under her foot1 or by stroking her gently on the breast with the forefinger or a stick4 ,if she strikes at the finger1 do not snatch it away1 but let her see that no harm is meant4 ,you may even tell her so in a reassuring voice4 ,she will partly understand4 ,then1 when she can be taken without trouble through a pretty well-filled street1 or amongst a group of people1 she may be brought out by daylight4 ,she may be carried through the stables and across a courtyard in which dogs are chained up4 ,then past a group of stable-boys1 and along the side of a kennel4 ,meal-times are the best for all these early lessons1 which must be advanced by easy stages4 ,first the under-falconer will stand by1 perhaps with another hawk1 as the pupil takes her dinner4 ,next day he may be accompanied by a horse or a hound--of undemonstrative and unemotional temperament4 ,on the third day a group of children may be playing at a short distance4 ,then the tutor himself may be mounted when he takes off my lady's hood and produces the day's ration4 ,at each sign of real alarm the irritant object should be eliminated4 ,if the stable is found too trying1 step aside into the harness-room4 ,if the children make too much noise1 or begin to stare too impudently at the scornful beauty1 get away to a safer distance4 ,tempt her forbearance as far as you safely dare1 but not an inch farther4 ,festina lente is a capital maxim for the impatient trainer4 ,should a half-trained passage hawk ever be pegged out at the block8 ,many falconers will answer ,yes4 ,but ,i am of a different persuasion4 ,a man who is over-hawked1 or has too few assistants1 may think it almost a necessity to weather his hawk at the block4 ,but even in such a case ,i would advise to weather her in her hood4 ,the proper way1 however1 to weather a hawk1 when she is in course of being manned1 is surely on the fist4 ,if a man has so many hawks and so few falconers that he cannot spare one of the latter to carry each of the hawks for some hours every day1 he is going about his business in an unbusiness-like way4 ,what good can a passage hawk possibly get from standing as a prisoner on a block of wood1 tempted continually to jump off1 and jerked back as often as she does so by a rude pull on to a damp plot of grass8 ,the fashion now so prevalent of pegging hawks out on the lawn by themselves seems to me1 if the truth is to be told1 to have originated in the laziness of the falconer or his subordinates4 ,it is manifestly much easier and simpler to tie a hawk to a block1 than to roam about with her on the fist4 ,but is it equally beneficial8 ,is it even advisable at all8 ,it is argued that a hawk1 while so pegged out1 is breathing the fresh air and getting manned1 if there are1 as there should be1 people passing to and fro before her eyes4 ,but1 on the other hand1 she is all the time plagued by a feeling of discomfort and discontent1 which cannot be good for her4 ,her position is not natural to her4 ,it is not the one she would choose of her own accord4 ,every bird which flits across within her field of view1 every cloud which passes over head1 almost every breeze which whispers in the tree-tops1 suggests to her a longing to take flight4 ,a dozen places invite her to leave her humble perch and go to them and obtain a better view4 ,four out of every five wild-caught hawks1 unless their spirit has been half broken by fasting or persecution1 will be found to bate off constantly when pegged out4 ,and bating off cannot do them any good4 ,it must remind them painfully that they are now captives and slaves4 ,moreover1 it is impossible to properly arrange their surroundings4 ,either there will be too many or too few people about4 ,and whoever there is about1 whether man1 child1 or dog1 will either be too near or too far away4 ,the background will not arrange itself with a due regard to the happy medium between distant reserve and vulgar familiarity4 ,on the whole1 there are very few passage hawks that ,i should like to peg out bareheaded before they have arrived at a much later stage of their education than we have yet reached4 ,illustration3 ,,falcon ,,and ,,tiercel ,,weathering ,,chapter ,,vi ,training and ,entering ,we have traced the history of the wild-caught hawk from the moment of her misadventure in the bow-net to that in which having been introduced under good auspices to the society of her new friends she has learnt at least to tolerate their presence1 if not to rejoice in it4 ,she can be taken amongst men1 women1 and children1 dogs1 horses1 and carriages1 without feeling uneasy4 ,she has1 in fact1 now been manned4 ,when we took leave of our eyesses they had not yet arrived at this stage4 ,they were only just taken up from hack4 ,but the manning of the eyess is accomplished in no different way from that of the passager1 except that the more vigorous parts of the discipline may be omitted or modified4 ,waking is not necessary for eyess merlins1 hobbies1 or kestrels4 ,it may often be dispensed with altogether with eyess peregrines1 even after a prolonged hack4 ,carrying and handling are with them1 as with their wilder brethren1 the simple but laborious methods whereby they are tamed4 ,but manning is only the first step in the reclamation of a hawk4 ,she must be made also to come to the fist1 at least to a certain extent4 ,if1 indeed1 she is a short-winged hawk1 this lesson of coming to the fist may be considered the principal part of her training4 ,but all hawks should be taught and accustomed to jump a short distance on to the fist1 whenever it is held out invitingly towards them4 ,nor is there any great difficulty about this1 if a right beginning is made4 ,as the falconer stands with his hawk bareheaded on the glove1 he should get her first to reach forward with her head when he offers a morsel of food on the end of his short stick4 ,then by degrees he may induce her to step an inch or two sideways towards his wrist for the same purpose4 ,next1 to walk a little way along the screen-perch4 ,and1 when she will do this1 he may set her down on the perch1 and1 touching it with the open fingers of the gloved left hand1 invite her to step on to them and to the knuckles4 ,the next short step is to get her to jump from the perch to the hand4 ,when once she will do this1 even if the jump is one of an inch only1 the distance can soon be made much greater4 ,but in order to succeed with this lesson she must not be tantalised4 ,it is no good to stand for five minutes with the left hand outstretched and a piece of meat on or near it within six inches of your hawk1 when she is in no humour to make the leap which seems to her so perilous4 ,when she will not come1 humour her1 and put the meat nearer1 so that she can get it without jumping4 ,sooner or later she will find that the meat so placed before her is not a trap or a sham1 but really meant for her delectation1 and that she can get it a little quicker if she chooses to go for it4 ,there is no use in telling her the story of ,mahomet and the mountain1 but you can illustrate the theory by a sort of practical dumb-show4 ,if a more advanced pupil is placed on the perch next to the slow learner1 the latter will see how much quicker her sister gets the proffered delicacies by jumping for them4 ,as soon as she will come a little way from the screen-perch1 try her from a block1 and then from a gate-post out of doors4 ,keep her at this exercise for some days1 but do not make a toil of it to her2 merely let her know that if she comes for it1 she will get the tit-bit at once1 whereas1 if she does not1 she will get it all the later4 ,next comes the lure4 ,passage hawks are notoriously and naturally bad at the lure4 ,nothing in their previous experience at all leads up to it2 and you have to teach them an entirely new lesson4 ,consequently1 you must take pains about it1 and be prepared for disappointments and delays4 ,the lure is as important to the falconer as a hook to a fisherman1 or a bridle to a rider4 ,to take a long-winged hawk out to the field without a lure would be almost as silly as to go out shooting without any cartridges4 ,when first introduced to the pupil the lure must be well garnished with attractive and palatable viands4 ,it is by no means enough to throw down a freshly-killed pigeon in front of the hungry hawk4 ,she is quite likely1 if a passager1 to stare at it absently1 and apparently without any very defined belief that it is at all good to eat4 ,after a minute or so she is not unlikely to look the other way1 and pay no more attention to your well-intended bait4 ,but you must not then be surprised1 or begin exclaiming at her stupidity4 ,if the passager will not come to the dead pigeon1 take a lure and cover it with chopped meat4 ,give her pieces off this1 and presently let her pick them off it4 ,then let her walk towards the lure to get the pieces1 as she has already learnt to go to the fist4 ,when once she has walked even three inches to it she can soon be made to fly to it right across the lawn4 ,prolong these lessons1 therefore1 till your hawk is well made to the lure4 ,each day at feeding-time make her come a longer and longer distance to it for her dinner4 ,after a while she will be flown to it in a creance1 that is1 a line attached to the end of the leash1 or1 better still1 to the swivel1 from which the leash has been detached4 ,the best way to give the lesson is to get an under-falconer or assistant to hold the hawk on his fist in an open piece of ground1 and then1 going a little way off1 to show her the lure1 on which she knows by experience that her food is fastened4 ,in the case of eyesses which have been hacked to the lure they are of course well habituated to the business in hand4 ,but all hawks1 if properly treated1 will after a time learn to look with some eagerness1 at the dinner hour1 for the appearance of the lure4 ,peregrines and all the bigger hawks will be hooded up before going out2 and when the hood is taken off they will glance around in search of the trainer4 ,as soon as they discern him swinging his lure1 they should jump off and fly towards it1 and1 when it is thrown on the ground1 alight on it4 ,merlins and sparrow-hawks may generally be set down on a post1 and lured from it by the same person who took them out1 without the need of an assistant4 ,or1 when they know the lure sufficiently1 it may be attached to the far end of the creance1 and1 after being swung once or twice1 thrown to a short distance1 and the little hawk thrown off at the same time1 when she is pretty sure to go straight to it4 ,these exercises at the lure should be continued till there is no longer any reasonable doubt that the pupil will come as soon as she has the chance2 and1 in order to make sure1 the length of the creance may be increased from a few feet to at least a hundred yards4 ,it will be a proud moment when first you trust your passage hawk entirely free1 and1 detaching the swivel from her jesses1 abandon for the moment all actual control over her4 ,on this occasion you will probably take extra precautions1 making sure that no intruder will interrupt the operations1 and that your hawk is undeniably sharp-set4 ,but in order to make certain of this1 do not dream of starving her2 merely put off the feeding-time for an hour or so4 ,hawks in captivity should commonly be fed1 as will be seen later on1 at about #aa a4m4 ,when you first fly your passage hawk free1 wait until past noon4 ,the small extra delay will have put an edge on her appetite4 ,if all goes well she will not notice or suspect that anything unusual is occurring4 ,very likely1 if a light line has been used1 she may have supposed for days past that she was flying free4 ,possibly she has never once suspected the existence of the creance4 ,it is well to make all hawks to the lure1 even if afterwards you should have no use for it4 ,a lost goshawk will very often come to the lure when she will not come to the fist4 ,as a rule1 it will be seen that short-winged hawks in the field should not be called to the lure2 they are hawks of the fist1 and should be taught to come to it whenever they have the chance1 in default of wild quarry4 ,it requires some faith to believe when the wild-caught sparrow-hawk is first taken in hand that she will ever do this4 ,nothing will seem much more unlikely than that this fierce1 restless creature1 a feathered termagant1 would ever so lay aside her innate wildness as to come contentedly out of the free air1 and1 disdaining all other resting-places1 take perch by preference on the hand of her once detested captor4 ,yet so it is4 ,goshawks and sparrow-hawks can all be brought to come habitually to the fist1 and remain there willingly at all times except when there is quarry to be pursued4 ,in their case the calling-off to the hand in the open field is only a prolongation and extension of the early lessons in which they were taught to jump to it from the perch1 as already described4 ,after the creance is no longer necessary each kind of hawk should be called off for two or three days at least1 the one to the lure and the other to the fist1 one man holding the hawk1 while the other swings the lure or holds out the fist4 ,and here ends the early drudgery of reclaiming the wild-caught hawk4 ,the education of the eyess1 whether flown at hack or not1 must1 of course1 be brought down to the same stage4 ,if they have had no hack at all they will have been manned very early in life and habituated to come to the fist4 ,if they have been well hacked1 they will have become in many respects very like wild hawks--possibly more so4 ,anyhow1 they will be full summed and full grown in all respects before they come to be put in actual training for the field4 ,we took leave of our eyesses in the third chapter1 soon after they had been taken up2 and we must now assume that by a modified application of the rgime prescribed for the haggard they have been manned and taught to come to the hand or the lure1 or both4 ,the time occupied in this process will of course have varied according to the disposition of the individuals4 ,a well-natured eyess merlin hacked under the lure-and-fist system will be manned in two or three days4 ,a goshawk1 or a peregrine of an independent turn of mind1 hacked at the board1 may resist for the best part of a fortnight the best-intentioned efforts to subdue her wild instincts4 ,it will be well in all cases1 and will save an immensity of time and trouble1 to reduce the eyess to some extent as soon as she is taken up4 ,for my own part ,i incline to doing1 even at this early stage1 a bit of mild physicking4 ,half a ,cockle's pill for a peregrine or one-eighth for a merlin will do no manner of harm4 ,at all events the allowance of food must be cut down4 ,hack hawks1 when taken up1 should be as round as balls and as bumptious as undergraduates4 ,they know not what it is to be really sharp-set2 and unless dosed they make quite a favour of eating at all during the first two or three days of real captivity4 ,continue feeding them at the rate they have been accustomed to1 and you will lose patience before you can bring them under any sort of control4 ,in fact1 you will not do so at all4 ,yet ,i do not mean that they should be made thin4 ,there is1 it is true1 no longer any fear of hunger-traces1 but a thin hawk is a weak hawk1 and sometimes even a spoilt hawk4 ,her small feathers lose their gloss2 her flight feathers grow weak and brittle1 and are ready to break on slight provocation2 her nares lose colour1 and begin to harbour mites4 ,in short1 a thin hawk is an abomination and a disgrace4 ,she must therefore not be either overfed or underfed1 but just made hungry enough before each meal-time to be really keen after her food4 ,and as she has accumulated during her probationary time of adolescence more or less internal fat1 the quickest and easiest way to get rid of it is to give her a mild dose or two of purgative medicine1 and some rangle1 as recommended in the chapter on ailments4 ,hack hawks and all other eyesses must be taught to jump and fly to the fist4 ,if long-winged1 they must be made to the lure4 ,and in all cases they should be thoroughly broken to the hood4 ,thus we have arrived at the same stage with our eyesses and with our wild-caught hawks2 and the subsequent stages are very nearly the same with each4 ,carrying 7on the fist--,i do not mean the vice of that ilk7 is still a sine qu non4 ,no hawk can have too much of it4 ,i have read in some hawking books a reference to hawks being too tame4 ,the phrase1 as applied to a trained hawk1 is not very well chosen1 and might mislead a beginner4 ,some of the most deadly hawks ever flown have been as tame as parrots4 ,when a very tame hawk flies badly it is not1 as a rule1 because she is too tame1 but because she is too fat1 or1 more likely still1 because she is not properly sharp-set at the moment of flying4 ,some remarks on the conditioning of hawks will be found later on4 ,in the meantime let not the beginner be afraid of getting his hawk too fond of him4 ,she should rejoyce in him1 as the old falconers expressed it1 and at sight of him be all excitement to come to him1 not only for food1 but for the chance of a flight1 which she will soon begin to think that he alone can procure for her4 ,even wild hawks will sometimes wait on upon their known enemy1 man1 on the chance of his putting up game1 and so serving them1 as the saying is4 ,how much more should a trained hawk do1 who is beginning to know that the falconer is a good friend8 ,our charges must now be classified in a different way4 ,the distinction is not now so much between eyess and passager1 as between long-winged and short-winged--between those which are to be flown at one or other sort of quarry4 ,thus1 short-winged hawks of both kinds1 eagles1 merlins1 and all the long-winged hawks which are to be flown at rook1 heron1 kite1 or gull1 are flown from the fist1 whereas hobbies and all the long-winged hawks which are destined to fly either at game or duck are allowed to mount to their pitch before the quarry is sprung1 and from thence descend upon it4 ,we may first speak of the first-mentioned category1 premising that as far as safety is concerned the flight from the fist is preferable4 ,we assume that the hawk will come readily to the lure or the fist as soon as she has a chance4 ,now contrive1 if you can1 that your assistant1 having her hooded on his fist1 shall stand on an open ground at a distance from you of some two hundred yards1 and that somewhere between you there is a live bird or beast of a suitable kind on the ground1 or in a very small bush4 ,in the case of a merlin a wild lark may very possibly be marked down in such a position4 ,so may a blackbird for a sparrow-hawk1 or a rabbit for a goshawk1 or even a young partridge for a peregrine1 ger1 or lanner4 ,if you cannot manage to make this arrangement with a wild creature1 you must employ a bagged one for the nonce as a substitute--a poor one1 no doubt2 but it may serve the turn1 if used in the way to be presently described4 ,now let the assistant unhood the hawk2 and make sure that somehow or other you can put up that marked quarry when you like4 ,as soon as the hawk has had time to look round and has looked towards you1 let the man walk in the same direction1 and walk in yourself to put up the quarry4 ,when you are close upon it and are sure that it is about to rise1 you may show the lure for a moment1 quickly hiding it again4 ,and1 as the hawk starts towards you1 put up the quarry with a shout4 ,if you are quick enough1 it will rise just as the hawk is approaching the spot where it was1 and the temptation to her to pursue it will be strong4 ,if the hawk yields to the impulse1 you are in luck4 ,she is already entered4 ,if she takes it you are still more fortunate1 for the hawk is made at the first trial4 ,but very possibly she may refuse4 ,no matter1 take her down to the lure1 and try her again another time--perhaps an hour later4 ,possibly you may possess or borrow a make-hawk which is already au fait at the quarry--a sister or brother of the tardy learner1 which has already taken more kindly to the business--maybe a last year's hawk1 which is now coming into action again4 ,if such a pupil-teacher is thrown off as the quarry starts1 the force of example will pretty surely lead to imitation4 ,rook-hawks are very often entered in this way4 ,but the plan is advised for the nobler races only1 for short-winged hawks must not be slipped together1 for fear of crabbing or fighting4 ,a propos of bagged quarry1 which are an abomination to all right-minded falconers1 it should be said that whenever they are turned out great care should be taken to deceive the hawk into the idea that they are not bagged4 ,with this intent dig a small hole in the ground1 just large enough to accommodate the bagged quarry comfortably4 ,over the top of the hole and the quarry inside it place a flat board of the same colour as the surrounding surface1 green1 brown1 or as it may be4 ,let the board be sufficiently heavy to prevent the captive from escaping1 as long as it remains over the hole4 ,then attach a string of the required length1 and coloured like the board1 to one of its corners4 ,when you want the quarry to bolt1 pull the string and thus uncover the hole4 ,when the liberated prisoner comes forth1 the hawk will be too intent upon looking after it to inquire why or wherefore it appeared on the scene4 ,if1 on the contrary1 you throw it up out of the hand1 or let it out of a bag1 the case will be different4 ,most likely the hawk will see that it is no chance quarry1 but is expressly thrown out as a sort of animated lure1 and pursue it as such4 ,when afterwards you try her at a really wild quarry1 she may refuse1 just as if you had given no bagged quarry at all4 ,hawks1 like other creatures1 are averse to hard work when they think it unnecessary2 and when they are accustomed to easy flights--such as are always afforded by birds thrown up from the hand--they are apt to shirk the more difficult job of catching a wild bird4 ,many hawks are1 of course1 entered without any such manoeuvring as above described4 ,an eyess1 for instance1 which has begun to chase birds freely at hack may often1 when properly reclaimed1 be taken straight out into the field1 and thrown off at the sort of quarry which it is ultimately intended to pursue4 ,perhaps two out of every three eyess merlins may1 in skilful hands1 be thus dealt with4 ,but they will perhaps not begin at once4 ,i remember well the first day when ,princess was taken out1 as the first of a nest of four merlins intended to be entered4 ,it was on the open down1 where the larks were very strong4 ,she refused eight in succession1 merely making a pretence of following1 and sometimes not even that4 ,but at the ninth1 which got up very near her1 she flew with the utmost pluck and skill1 and1 after at least half a dozen good stoops1 put it into a potato patch1 where it could not immediately be found4 ,she then refused three more1 and ultimately1 thinking perhaps that it was long past dinner-time1 caught the thirteenth lark in good style4 ,another year ,colonel ,sanford and ,i took out two jack-merlins--the advance-guard of the hack hawks--very early in the season1 to be entered at the same time4 ,we threw them off at the same lark4 ,the hawk which was nearest to it refused3 the other went on and killed the quarry4 ,sparrow-hawks will generally fly1 if in yarak1 without being entered artificially4 ,with peregrines there is generally more difficulty4 ,as for those of them which are intended for game or duck1 they belong to the other category1 and will be referred to later as hawks of the mountee4 ,but passage peregrines1 coming to the falconer as they do late in the autumn1 will first be flown at rooks or gulls from the fist4 ,with each of these quarry there will probably be trouble4 ,for the wild hawk does not1 as a rule1 fly at rooks1 unless when hard driven for food1 nor is she much addicted to gulls1 except at breeding-times1 when she has many mouths to feed4 ,if1 when the time comes for her to be entered1 she is started straight away at a rook or gull1 without a make-hawk as companion1 she is almost sure to refuse1 or take no notice at all of it4 ,possibly1 if she is first flown at a white pigeon1 in the same place and way as afterwards a gull is sure to be found1 and flies well at the pigeon1 she will afterwards go for the gull4 ,but for entering rook-hawks1 where no make-hawk can be used1 a bagged quarry or two is generally found necessary4 ,when once a hawk has taken one of the quarry at which she is intended to be flown1 she may be allowed to eat it if it is to her taste4 ,but if its flesh is not of an appetising or palatable kind--as1 for instance1 rook or gull--a ruse should be adopted to induce her to believe that the prize is more valuable than it really is4 ,a freshly-killed pigeon1 or part of one1 should be smuggled under the hawk's foot as she is pluming the dead rook or gull4 ,there will be no difficulty in practising this innocent deception4 ,hawks1 while pluming their quarry1 keep a firm hold of it with the inner talon of one foot1 and often of both4 ,but it is easy to contrive that the outer talons of one foot shall get hold of the pigeon1 and afterwards to shift the inner talon on to it4 ,then1 as she goes on feeding1 the other foot can be shifted1 and the real quarry stealthily withdrawn from underneath4 ,as there is nothing that peregrines like better than pigeon1 your newly-entered hawk will1 after a meal presented to her in this fraudulent fashion1 take a new view of the merits of a hitherto despised quarry4 ,it remains now to warn the beginner in the process of entering to beware of the hawk's carrying1 that is1 lifting or bolting with the quarry4 ,unless you have very good reasons to suppose that she will not do this1 you should specially guard against it from the first4 ,when bagged quarry is used1 attach a short light string to it1 such as will not materially impede its flight4 ,after the hawk has made a capture allow her to come with it quietly to the ground4 ,this she will do if accustomed always to feed on the lure upon the ground4 ,you will also1 of course1 be in a place where there is no temptation1 and1 if possible1 no reasonable chance1 of her taking it up into a tree4 ,then approach her very gently and cautiously until you are near enough to take hold of the end of the string4 ,having secured this1 you can prevent all attempts at carrying4 ,do not1 however1 on that account hurry up4 ,there is much art in making in1 as it is called4 ,you will have plenty of time2 for the mere plucking or depluming of the quarry 7always nearly completely finished before the meal is begun7 will last several minutes at least4 ,still holding the string1 go up very slowly1 advancing a few inches when my lady is intent on her booty1 and stopping when she looks up4 ,above all things avoid staring at her1 which hawks greatly dislike4 ,look any other way than towards her1 and walk rather obliquely towards her than in a direct line4 ,when you are nearly within arm's reach bend down4 ,you may kneel or even crawl along like a snake4 ,when you begin to reach out your hand towards her let it be garnished with a well-looking piece of food4 ,get it gradually within reach of her2 then close to her feet2 then near enough to touch the real dead quarry4 ,when you have hold of this you have gained another point4 ,but be patient and wary still4 ,if you alarm the hawk1 even a little1 it will throw you back terribly in your progress towards making her4 ,it may lead to the abominable vice of habitual carrying1 than which nothing is more annoying and more dangerous4 ,if by mishap the hawk should bolt1 hold on gently but firmly to the string1 and give her still more time before again approaching her4 ,the art of making in should be studied and practised from the first4 ,you will afterwards be amply repaid for all your trouble4 ,see the important remarks made on this subject in ,chapter ,,ix4 ,when you have secured the quarry1 keep down for at least two or three minutes more1 and let the hawk begin feeding at her ease on it1 or on the pigeon which you may have substituted4 ,help her to find the best pieces4 ,you may talk to her in encouraging words1 if such is your habit1 while she is eating4 ,then slowly get up1 lifting the food1 and the hawk upon it1 without any haste or jerking4 ,let her have nearly a full crop--the reward of good behaviour--and subject her to no chance of annoyance or interference all the rest of the day4 ,these instructions may seem lengthy and needlessly minute4 ,if they are1 it is a fault on the right side4 ,you are at a critical stage now in your pupil's education4 ,you are making her to the business which is henceforth to be the business of her life2 and a little extra precaution is justifiable in order to ensure that the lesson you are teaching shall be well learnt4 ,as the hawk finds by experience that you approach her with no predatory intentions1 but rather to help her and add to her enjoyment of her meal1 she will gain confidence1 and be less and less inclined to misbehave herself by bolting4 ,and as her mistrust diminishes so will your trouble be lessened1 until at last you will be able to make in without any of these precautions and delays4 ,whereas1 if you are negligent or over-confident at first1 you may end by not being able to make in to her at all1 and may have the mortification of having been for some weeks the owner of a fine hawk which could fly admirably1 but which1 after one of her first few flights at wild quarry1 literally vanished into thin air4 ,the training required for hawks which are to wait on is different4 ,it has already been said that merlins and the short-winged hawks cannot be taught this accomplishment4 ,a merlin which will wait on even for half a minute is rather a phenomenon4 ,i have had such an one1 it is true1 but only one4 ,the thing is not impossible in all cases1 but so rarely practicable that it is needless to speak of it4 ,nor is it advisable to teach the art of waiting on to any hawk which is intended to be flown at rooks1 gulls1 heron1 or the like4 ,but all long-winged hawks intended for game should wait on well4 ,the whole race of peregrines and their cousins1 gers1 hobbies1 sakers1 lanners1 and the humble kestrel1 can all be made to wait on beautifully4 ,soaring 7to which waiting on is so nearly similar7 is the natural exercise of all these hawks4 ,in the wild state they spend hours almost daily at it4 ,but if they are to wait on in the rather artificial style required by the falconer1 nature must be aided a little4 ,when they are keen at coming to the lure1 you should call them off1 and1 as they approach1 jerk the lure away off the ground in front of them4 ,when they have missed it1 their impetus will carry them on beyond the place where it was1 and they will rise in the air1 partly turning round to see what has become of it4 ,then after a very short delay you may throw the lure down again1 and let them have it4 ,at the second lesson it may be hid for a longer time1 and the hawk allowed to make one or two circles in the air before it is produced4 ,at each fresh lesson make the interval of waiting longer1 hiding the lure as long as the hawk is circling round within a short distance of you1 but producing it when she strays away1 or gives signs of being tired out4 ,by this means she will soon learn that patience is not only a virtue1 but a profitable1 and even a pleasant one4 ,for if the wild hawk soars from choice for the mere pleasure of stretching her wings1 it must be natural for a trained hawk1 which has so much fewer opportunities of doing this1 to take a delight in it4 ,eyess peregrines are very unlike one another in their aptness for waiting on4 ,some are very slow to learn it1 and can hardly1 by the greatest efforts1 be got to go up any height1 or even to keep on the wing at all4 ,some few1 on the other hand1 take to it quite readily1 and1 after a few days1 of their own accord mount to a great height4 ,of course the higher a hawk can be induced to go1 the better game-hawk she will turn out4 ,as for passage hawks1 you must remember1 when teaching them to wait on1 that there is much more danger than there is with eyesses4 ,the longer they are kept on the wing1 and the higher they go1 the more chance there is of their espying some bird passing--perhaps some old familiar quarry1 of which they have struck down scores for themselves--and making off after it4 ,the very fact of being in the air1 and feeling the free breeze as it lifts their wings1 must remind them forcibly of old days of liberty1 and slacken the ties which bind them to their new master4 ,be extra careful1 therefore1 in the case of all passage hawks1 and most of all with the haggard1 to watch for any signs of returning native wildness4 ,fly her in a country where chance quarry are not likely to appear4 ,if she rakes away1 or wanders far from you in making her airy circles1 call her back before it is too late4 ,fly her always when she is quite sharp-set1 even if you have to give her little or no exercise on some of the intermediate days between one lesson and the next4 ,you may diet her now upon washed meat4 ,this is meat washed in cold water and squeezed dry1 so that a part of the nutriment originally contained in it is lost4 ,it is1 of course1 less palatable and less sustaining4 ,but it should be used in moderation4 ,the old falconers seem to have given it much more often than we do now4 ,but for some reason or other the nineteenth century hawk1 if at all habitually dieted on this distasteful food1 seems to lose pluck and power as well as weight4 ,there is another mode of flying hawks to the lure1 which is a sort of combination of the first-mentioned process of calling off and the last-mentioned waiting on4 ,this is the practice of stooping to the lure1 which is certainly an excellent means of exercising a hawk1 although some very good falconers object to it on other grounds4 ,for merlins and kestrels1 however1 it may be recommended without any reservation4 ,to teach it1 begin1 as before1 by calling your hawk off to the dead lure1 and jerking it away from the ground in front of her4 ,but instead of afterwards encouraging her to mount and wait on1 produce the lure1 and repeat the same trick by jerking it away4 ,in order to make the most of this exercise you should rig up a soft lure1 which can be struck in the air4 ,take a stout bag1 padded on the inside1 and into it put a smaller bag1 with as much sand or shot in it as will three-quarters fill it4 ,sew up the mouth1 and attach to it a strong leash or cord4 ,the whole apparatus must weigh about two-thirds as much as the hawk which is to be flown to it4 ,at the juncture of the leash and the bag attach on each side the wing of a bird1 choosing by preference for each hawk a bird of the kind which is to be her particular quarry--a rook for a rook-hawk1 a lark for a hobby1 and so on4 ,these appendages will have to be often renewed2 and it is well to keep a stock of old ones1 pickled or peppered to keep out the moths4 ,there will be strings1 of course1 as in an ordinary lure1 for attaching the food2 and particular care is required in garnishing this kind of lure1 as with the hard usage to which it is subjected1 any food which is at all insecurely fastened on may come off2 and if the hawk bolts with it a terrible disaster may be the result4 ,at this padded lure the hawk may be allowed to strike freely in the air as it is swung4 ,gers and merlins are all very clever at this work1 and often seem to enjoy vastly this opportunity of exercising their muscles and their intelligence4 ,some of them are amazingly clever in getting hold of the lure4 ,not only do they foresee exactly where the swing you are giving to the lure will bring it the moment when they pass2 but1 if you are in the habit of interrupting that swing by giving it a particular jerk or twist in another direction1 they will discount1 as it were1 this trick1 and anticipate your little plan4 ,considerable adroitness is required on the part of the falconer also4 ,by the employment of some cunning1 he can encourage his hawk to great exertions1 and can very greatly increase both her speed and her footing powers4 ,if the stoop is very narrowly eluded by this dead lure1 working under your guidance1 the hawk is not unlikely to think that it was her own slowness of flight which made her too late4 ,if you can encourage this idea1 she will strive to improve her pace1 and fly to the lure almost as hard as she would at a wild quarry4 ,i have repeatedly seen merlins with their mouths open after five minutes of this work4 ,the best plan is to let the hawk touch the lure whenever she specially distinguishes herself1 whether by a very hard down stoop1 or a high throw-up1 or as it may be4 ,let the lure be as small as it can be1 consistently with sufficient weight and softness1 and whenever the hawk touches it1 whether by your leave or without it1 immediately let it fall on the ground2 and let the hawk come down to it1 if she did not bind when she touched4 ,this is a very important particular in the case of eyesses4 ,it teaches them that a swift stoop which even grazes the quarry is better than all the slow ones which miss it4 ,as for passage hawks1 they need not to be taught this4 ,but for them1 in consideration of the hardness of their stoop1 ,i have sometimes found it well to use a modification of the soft lure4 ,i have diminished its weight and bulk1 so that it can be struck without any fear at all of hurting the hawk's feet2 and at the end of the cord or leash to which it is attached1 ,i have fastened the solid weight which is necessary to prevent carrying4 ,this weight may be held in the left hand1 while the lure is swung by the right2 and when the successful stoop has been made1 both can be allowed to fall on the ground4 ,i have said that some great authorities disapprove of this method of exercising hawks4 ,they say that in the case of game-hawks it spoils them for waiting on1 and that in the case of rook-hawks and gull-hawks1 the habit of looking for the lure makes them less keen at sighting their wild quarry4 ,there is a great deal in these objections2 and ,i shall not presume to decide between the advocates and opponents of the practice4 ,as regards game-hawks1 however1 where a hawk has once taken to mounting well1 ,i should certainly not advise any stooping to the lure1 for fear of spoiling her pitch4 ,as regards other hawks1 ,i think some part of the force of the objections is removed if the place where the hawks are stooped to the lure is altogether different from any place in which they are likely to be flown at wild quarry4 ,in lark-hawking it is certainly very essential that the hawk should get sighted at once4 ,but though ,i have habitually made my merlins stoop at the lure in the early morning1 ,i have not found them in consequence slow in starting at quarry in the afternoon4 ,it cannot be denied that1 as far as the hawk's condition is concerned1 stooping at the lure is a grand resource4 ,if you were always quite sure of giving your hawk a hard flight at wild quarry every day1 that would doubtless be the best thing for her4 ,but who can be sure of this8 ,bad weather1 scarcity of quarry1 and several other causes make it only too certain that there will be many interruptions4 ,but even when you cannot give your hawk a real flight1 you can generally stoop her to the lure1 and ensure that she has at anyrate had a breather during the day4 ,it is very rarely so windy during a whole day that a trained hawk cannot be put on the wing4 ,a peregrine in good condition ought not to be excused by anything short of a whole gale from daily exercise1 even if it amounts to no more than calling off or stooping three or four times at the lure4 ,it is a good thing1 even after a hawk is fully made and is flying wild quarry daily1 to call her off occasionally to the lure1 though you have no need to do so4 ,sometimes a hawk will have a long run of kills without a miss4 ,i have known such a run to last with a merlin to over thirty4 ,during all the time while such a score is being made1 there will have been no occasion to use the lure1 except perhaps when a quarry has put in and has had to be routed out4 ,she runs a risk1 therefore1 of forgetting all about that humble apparatus1 to which a few days ago she trusted so confidently for her food4 ,let her memory1 therefore1 be refreshed occasionally1 by interpolating a fly to the dead lure amongst the long series of uniformly successful flights4 ,otherwise1 at the first unsuccessful one1 you may find that the once loved object has lost all its attractions4 ,,chapter ,,vii ,rook-,hawking ,eyesses1 as well as passage peregrines1 may be flown at the rook2 but this quarry is more suitable for a falcon than a tiercel4 ,mr4 ,o',keefe used eyess falcons for this flight1 and once killed with them on the ,curragh of ,kildare as many as #aag in three weeks4 ,william ,barr had an eyess which1 when entered to rooks1 took as many as seven in nine flights4 ,comet1 belonging to ,mr4 ,brodrick1 took many rooks4 ,it is only rather exceptionally that a tiercel can be got to fly them4 ,but ,mr4 ,newcome's passage tiercel1 ,will o' the ,wisp1 took them very well4 ,the difficulty which is generally experienced in entering falcons to rooks is much greater in their brothers' case4 ,and the superiority of the passage hawk over the eyess is more marked in this flight than in game-hawking4 ,besides peregrines1 several other kinds of long-winged hawks may be trained to take this quarry--gers of both sexes1 lanners1 and perhaps some lannerets1 and the shaheen falcon1 both black and red4 ,no doubt the saker of both sexes would afford excellent sport with rooks4 ,i am not aware that the training of any of these hawks for such a flight differs from that recommended for the peregrine4 ,for a rook-flight very open country is required4 ,it would be no use to attempt it in what is called a well-wooded district1 or where hedge-row trees grow as they do in the far greater part of cultivated ,england4 ,a single tree1 or even tall bush1 will ruin a whole square mile of otherwise suitable ground4 ,nor is it sufficient that the land should be clear of trees and buildings4 ,many other obstacles1 such as tall1 stiff hedges1 wire railings1 and even sheep-folds1 full or empty1 are detrimental to the sport4 ,a flock of sheep1 a drove of pigs1 or even a herd of cattle being driven along1 is quite enough to utterly spoil a good flight4 ,thus in all ,england there are but few places where you can carry on this sport with success4 ,amongst them are parts of the ,berkshire and ,wiltshire downs1 and some of the ,south-downs1 though these are usually too undulating4 ,parts of ,norfolk1 especially near ,lakenheath1 are good2 and so are portions of the fen country1 where there is not too much water4 ,in the ,north of ,england and in several counties in ,ireland there are moors and open spaces which do well4 ,it must not be supposed1 however1 that the passage peregrine1 or any other of the big long-winged hawks1 any more than the eyesses1 take kindly to rook-flying4 ,some have so little fancy for this unattractive quarry1 that they can never by any skill be induced to fly them with any zest4 ,generally it is necessary to use either a make-hawk or bagged quarry for entering the beginners4 ,the way in which such quarry are used has been sufficiently explained in the last chapter4 ,but1 as everyone does not know how to catch a rook1 a few hints borrowed from the sister art of bird-catching may not be out of place4 ,the commonest way of entrapping a rook is to send a boy up to the top of a tree in a well-frequented rookery with the end of a string1 with which he can make a noose or nooses1 and set them on the old nests to which the birds resort before roosting for the night4 ,at the moment when the noisy crowd come back to the rookery and settle on their accustomed perches1 a simultaneous pull at several lines connected with properly-laid nooses will generally secure a victim or more4 ,another plan by which a rook is made to look even more foolish is to go round with a plough in a field where rooks come to pick up the worms which it turns up4 ,the rook-catcher must be provided with a number of paper hoods made like large extinguishers1 and these he will place upside down in the furrow with a tempting bait--grain1 worm1 or meat--in their inside4 ,the rest of the inside of each cap is well smeared with bird-lime or some other very sticky matter2 and the rook1 in picking at the food1 may be hoped sometimes to hood himself4 ,then while in his astonishment he struggles to get rid of this blinding fool's cap1 he may be picked up and carried off into captivity4 ,when the newly-entered hawk has taken his bagged rook1 you must get up as quickly as you can and make in at once4 ,then seizing the pelt1 or dead body of the quarry1 you must contrive so that the hawk1 instead of breaking in upon that unsavoury morsel1 shall proceed by mistake to begin her meal upon a pigeon which you have just before killed1 and which you surreptitiously substitute for by holding it side by side with the dead rook4 ,the object1 of course1 is to induce in her ladyship's mind the belief that she is eating what she has killed1 and finds it uncommonly good4 ,eyesses are naturally deceived very easily into this fallacious notion4 ,as for passage hawks1 it is quite possible that many of them have no more idea than eyesses what a rook tastes like4 ,unless they have ever been hard pressed for a meal1 it is more than probable that they have never condescended to dine off a rook4 ,anyhow1 they will not be at all unwilling to lend themselves to a deception fraught with such gratifying results4 ,dear me1 may be the haggard's inward reflection1 what a goose ,i have been all this time never to pay any attention to these vulgar black birds6 ,why1 they taste as good as pigeon6 ,and the next time she has a chance of paying attention1 she will4 ,this personation trick is invariably used by ,indian and ,asiatic falconers in kite-flying with sakers4 ,it is necessary1 or at least advisable1 in entering hawks at herons1 gulls1 and other coarse-fleshed birds4 ,in the case of rooks it may be discontinued after a short while1 if it is found on a cautious trial that the hawk will eat rook with any relish4 ,many falcons1 when flying rooks almost daily1 are habitually fed upon the last victim they have killed in the day4 ,but it is not to be supposed that any hawk will be very fond of such coarse viands2 and some will not eat them at all4 ,supposing now that the rook-hawk is safely entered1 and a suitable country found1 the next thing is to also find a wild rook in a suitable part of that country4 ,and this is not altogether an easy matter4 ,in some very excellent districts1 where the rooks are flown at every year1 they become excessively wary1 and quite clever at avoiding the chance of a good slip at them4 ,the old birds1 who have been spectators of many a battle in the air in which one of their comrades was worsted and lost his life1 or who have perhaps even themselves done battle1 and escaped with great difficulty1 become suspicious of all mounted men4 ,they remember very well and with a fluttering heart the appearance of the little squadron of horsemen which once brought with them ,lady ,long-wing1 who made such a dreadful example of poor papa ,caw-,caw4 ,who can say that they do not remember the very faces and the green uniforms of the murderous men to whom ,lady ,long-wing belonged8 ,anyhow1 as they strut on the hillside or pick about along the furrows1 they are on the alert directly a detachment of irregular cavalry comes in sight1 which looks at all as if it might be accompanied by hawks4 ,very often their sentinels incontinently give the signal of alarm1 and the flock scuds off summarily to safer feeding-grounds4 ,at all events they do so long before they can be approached within what a beginner would consider a reasonable distance4 ,the result is that in order to get within reach of such quarry it has sometimes been found necessary to resort to stratagem4 ,rooks have been stalked by a falconer on foot creeping along behind the shelter of a waggon1 or actually disguised as a farm labourer4 ,sometimes the hawking party will lie concealed under the lee of a rick1 waiting for a distant rook to cross within range1 or to be driven by mounted beaters in the direction of the ambush4 ,and after all precautions have been taken it is often useless to wait for a short slip4 ,the distance at which good passage hawks are now thrown off at ,wiltshire rooks will astonish a person who has never seen anything better than a moderate eyess4 ,a quarter of a mile is not considered at all too long a start when a hawk is a fast one and in good flying order4 ,but the longer the start the better the country must be if you are to score a kill4 ,a falconer on the look-out for rooks will often have to get over a good deal of ground in the day4 ,twenty miles--without counting in the flights--is probably rather under than over the average distance when any considerable number of hawks are to be flown4 ,it is1 of course1 almost a necessity to be mounted2 and it is well to have a horse under you which is not new to the business1 especially if you are to carry a hawk yourself1 or may be called upon to take one up4 ,a horse which has never been out with the hawks before is likely to be very much put out by the ringing of the hawk's bell1 and still more if she also flutters her wings in a high wind4 ,while following a ringing flight your eyes will naturally be directed more towards the realms above than to the ground over which you are galloping2 and1 as many of the downs on which this sport is most often pursued abound in ant-hills1 if your animal stumbles over one of these obstacles you are likely to pay for your inattention by a severe cropper4 ,if it falls to your lot to take up the hawk after she has killed1 you must1 of course1 dismount4 ,to enable you to do this and devote your whole attention to it1 a special apparatus is provided4 ,to the outside of your saddle will be attached a pocket1 within which can be fitted a leaden weight secured by a leather1 the other end of which can be attached to the horse's head1 so that by merely throwing the weight on the ground he is at once tethered4 ,no one of course presumes to take up another man's hawk unless it has been so arranged beforehand1 or in case of urgent necessity1 as for instance if the owner is not in sight1 and there is danger that the hawk may be attacked on the ground by some deadly enemy4 ,of course rook-hawking may be attempted on foot4 ,but unless markers are posted skilfully at the places where a hawk is likely to go out of sight1 there is great risk of losing her4 ,moreover1 it is impossible to see much of the best flights4 ,a great deal of time will be wasted in moving about between each flight2 and still more in shifting the markers from place to place1 as well as in finding the hawk after a long flight which has ended in a kill4 ,the rook-hawker on foot comes back footsore1 and very weary4 ,and he is lucky if these are the only ills of which he has to complain4 ,rook-hawks which have been brought out to fly1 but are not for the time actually engaged1 either because their turn has not come1 or because they have already flown and been fed up1 are either carried about by a cadger on the cadge1 or made fast to a field-block in a well-sheltered place1 or consigned to perches rigged up in the inside of a van1 which can be drawn by a cart-horse4 ,the latter plan is adopted by the ,old ,hawking ,club1 by which more hawks are usually taken out than could be accommodated on one cadge4 ,it has the great merit of serving to protect the inmates from the bitterly cold winds which often prevail in the rook-hawking season1 and also from the rain4 ,such a van should be well provided with springs4 ,otherwise the jolting1 while it passes over rough ground1 as it needs must1 would do almost more mischief than the wind or rain4 ,in any case1 whether you go singly with a single hawk on your fist or with a whole cadge full or van full of hungry peregrines1 the hood will be worn4 ,nor will it be removed until the moment arrives when the wearer is to be thrown off4 ,but when any hawk is being carried with a view to a flight the swivel will be detached from the jesses and the latter held tightly in the fingers of the left hand4 ,some falconers who use ring swivels in the field1 take them off directly the hawk is taken on the fist for the purpose of being flown1 and then slipping the leash through one ring of the swivel and afterwards through the loops in the two jesses1 are ready to pull it out quickly when there is a rook in sight and it becomes possible that they may have to throw off at any moment4 ,some also1 when a flight is pretty sure to begin shortly1 loosen the hood's braces without taking it off1 so that there may be no delay in whipping it off at exactly the right moment4 ,no one has ever been able to explain how it is that peregrines can emerge suddenly from utter darkness into the full glare of daylight1 with eyesight as good as ever1 ready in the very first moment to catch sight of a distant rook and to begin the chase4 ,that they have this faculty everyone knows who has ever seen a rook flown by a trained peregrine4 ,fortunate for the falconer that it is so1 as he can choose his own moment for the throw-off4 ,if you are intending to fly a hawk for the first time at a wild rook1 get some other person who is out with a made hawk to be also ready with her4 ,then1 if the first chance at a rook is not an easy one1 let that other person throw off his hawk and keep yours for a less difficult flight4 ,wait1 if possible1 until you can find a quarry which is not too far off and not high in the air4 ,if you can get up within a hundred yards or so of one on the ground to windward of you1 so much the better4 ,the moment he jumps up1 off with the hood1 and with a steady movement of the left arm forwards1 something like that of a left-arm slow bowler1 launch your hawk into the wind4 ,use whatever cry of encouragement you like1 or use none at all2 at anyrate1 not any cry which you may have used in calling off4 ,and if1 in the excitement of the moment you should not throw away the hood1 but stuff it into your pouch or pocket1 that will also be satisfactory4 ,if you drop it you are not likely to find it on the open down without some hours' search1 if at all4 ,such presence of mind is1 however1 ,i am aware1 rather too great to expect4 ,a rook with any self-respect about him will begin to mount as soon as he is aware that he is being pursued4 ,and of this fact he will not be long in ignorance4 ,seldom does a trained hawk make half a dozen strokes of her wing before the quarry espies her and knows exactly what she means4 ,with this knowledge the black-a-moor of the air wakes up1 and then1 if never before1 he is on his mettle4 ,few people know how a rook can fly until they have seen him in front of a peregrine which means business4 ,his wings are broad and strong1 and not much worse shaped than a hawk's4 ,his muscles are good2 and by reason of much daily exercise in all weathers he is in good condition--better far1 perhaps1 than your passage hawk1 which was cooped up inactive for weeks1 and only during the last fortnight or so has had a modicum of exercise while flying to the lure4 ,the two birds will breast the wind as they mount2 but not necessarily taking the same line4 ,sometimes the two lines will diverge so much that from your point of view behind1 the birds seem to be flying away from one another4 ,generally speaking1 the better the hawk the less slavishly will she follow the course taken by the quarry4 ,she flies with her head1 and1 trusting for victory to the long1 powerful stoop1 concentrates her efforts on attaining to a position from which she can deliver it to best advantage4 ,thus if1 the wind being north1 and the safest shelter west1 the rook shapes his course to the north-west1 the falcon may very probably steer due west4 ,by doing so she makes sure that she will soon be almost between the quarry and that desirable place of refuge4 ,to make it he must come right past her and under her4 ,or else he must keep away and make for another covert1 and in that case he will have a long way to go2 and there will be time to catch him up1 and get between him and that other haven4 ,to passage hawks1 especially haggards1 this finessing is the ,a ,b ,c of scientific flying4 ,moreover1 an experienced hawk does not always choose to stoop exactly up-wind1 but prefers1 for some reason of her own1 to come at her victim sideways4 ,there are mysterious laws and principles of arial steering1 which no man understands1 but which sometimes make a stoop more telling when made in a direction unexpected by the riders down below4 ,eyesses are generally some time before they learn the art of utilising the wind to increase the force of their stoop1 and of using their heads to help their wings4 ,some1 it is true1 seem to be born good tacticians1 or at least to have instinctively learnt to be so while flying at hack4 ,but these are quite the exceptions4 ,not only do eyesses as a rule begin with an inferior style1 but very few of them ever attain to the perfection of form which long practice in all weathers at all sorts of different quarry has taught the old wild hawk4 ,as the two birds mount1 the hawk naturally gains on the rook4 ,she is the quicker flier2 sometimes1 perhaps1 by a hundred per cent41 but generally much less than this4 ,going down-wind there is not so much difference between them1 when both are at the same height4 ,but the start at a rook should always be up-wind4 ,to throw off at a down-wind rook is bad falconry4 ,when a rook means to keep the air1 or beat the hawk in fair flying1 he will1 after a while1 begin to ring1 that is1 to ascend spirally in circles4 ,why he should do this1 instead of continuing in a straight line1 no one1 ,i think1 has properly explained4 ,but the road upwards for most birds when they are exerting themselves--be they kites1 herons1 rooks1 or larks--is in spiral circles more or less regular1 a very obliging dispensation of nature for those who want to look on at a high flight6 ,for while the ringing lasts the horsemen down below need not hurry themselves4 ,only1 if there is anything of a wind they should always keep moving1 so as to be well to leeward of the flight1 shifting their ground to right or left according as the circles seem to tend in one or the other direction4 ,the higher the quarry goes the faster and farther will be the headlong dash down-wind if he is beaten in the air4 ,after a while1 if the hawk perseveres1 her superior flying powers will take her above the quarry4 ,at what time and height this desirable result is brought about depends1 of course1 partly upon the speed of the one bird and partly on the speed of the other4 ,there is a saying among falconers that a good hawk makes a bad quarry1 meaning that a rook or other bird which might give a fine flight when only a moderate hawk was behind him very often makes quite a poor show against a first-rate performer4 ,it may also be said with some truth that a good quarry makes a bad hawk1 inasmuch as hawks which have flown many a good flight and killed many a fairly fast-flying rook may sometimes find themselves pitted against such exceptionally strong ones that they seem unable to get above them1 and give to the stranger an appearance of being slow themselves4 ,a good and experienced falcon or other rook-hawk will not be content with merely getting above her quarry before she makes her first stoop4 ,she will go on ringing until she is so far above that the first stoop will be a good one4 ,that is to say1 that she may be able to get such an impetus upon her in the dash downwards as to rush up to the rook hand over hand1 or1 as the racing men say1 as if he were standing still4 ,and1 having so run up to him1 that she may1 if she misses him1 utilise the remainder of her impetus in shooting up again in preparation for a second stoop4 ,the rook1 on his part1 when he finds the falcon above him1 has to choose between two courses4 ,either he will persevere in trying to keep the air--and in that case must trust to quick turns and twists to elude the foe--or he will adopt the less valiant but almost equally dangerous alternative of a race to the nearest covert1 with the necessity of eluding a certain number of stoops on the way4 ,in the first case the flight will become a sort of improved version of coursing4 ,improved1 because a bird has so much more varied chances of throwing out his pursuer than the hare1 which can turn only either to the right or the left4 ,he must always be on what the mathematicians call the same plane4 ,the rook1 on the other hand1 may1 if he likes1 double simply to right or left4 ,but he may also1 if he prefers it1 duck downwards or shoot upwards1 allowing the hawk to pass over him or under him4 ,or he may turn partly upwards or downwards1 and partly to either side4 ,thus there are an unlimited number of angles at which he can swerve away to avoid the stroke4 ,the art and science of shifting is indeed one of the most elaborate that is possessed by the dumb creature4 ,almost all birds cultivate it to a certain degree4 ,instinct suggests it to them2 but many birds improve upon their natural powers by frequent practice4 ,who has not seen one rook chasing another1 either in sport or in a petulant humour1 and the fugitive evidently enjoying the fun of throwing out his persecutor8 ,in the tropics there is nothing that a crow likes better than stooping at kites2 and nothing that the kite takes greater pride in than showing how easily he can elude the shots so made at him4 ,i have seen pigeons1 when a slow or lazy peregrine is in the air1 deliberately hang about within reach of her for the express purpose of enjoying the amusement of successfully shifting when she makes a dash for them4 ,indeed1 it will be seen in ,chapter ,,xix4 that ,i saw this game played rather too rashly by a house-pigeon with a trained ger-tiercel4 ,it has been said that the rook in full plumage is no mean flier4 ,he has also a good head on his glossy shoulders1 and he shifts cleverly enough while his lungs and muscles hold out4 ,he does not often lose his head1 in the metaphysical sense4 ,sometimes1 when particularly close shots graze him1 or even feather him1 he is frightened into wasting a little breath in an angry complaining croak4 ,but this is almost the only piece of stupidity that can be alleged against him4 ,usually1 however hard pressed1 he keeps all his wits about him2 and when he is beaten in the air1 it is oftenest from sheer want of speed and want of wind4 ,the violent effort required to escape by shifting a good stoop of a first-rate peregrine takes it out of him terribly4 ,the whiz of the falcon as she rushes by is enough to make the stoutest heart quail4 ,but cowardice is not the weak point of the rook1 who1 for the most part1 has a determined and fair struggle for his life4 ,of course the stoop takes it out of the hawk also4 ,but then the hawk has two great advantages4 ,she is the faster bird1 and she is better at the throw up4 ,this is the counter-move by which she responds to the shifts of the quarry4 ,a good long-winged hawk1 after an unsuccessful stoop1 immediately shoots up to a great height above the place where the stoop was intended to take effect4 ,she rebounds1 as it were1 from the rapid descent1 glancing upwards with wide open wings to a new position of advantage4 ,and herein she has the advantage of the greyhound4 ,the farther the dog is thrown out1 the more laborious is the work of getting into position for the next attack4 ,but a falcon may come past her quarry with as much way on as ever she can command4 ,that impetus need not carry her away to a disadvantageous position1 but1 on the contrary1 to one where she is still admirably placed for a fresh stoop4 ,by throwing up well and with good judgment1 and sometimes a little luck1 a good hawk after once getting well above her rook will keep the command of the air for the rest of the flight4 ,the quarry may throw up too2 but if his pursuer makes the most of her first advantage1 he will always find her above him after he has done so4 ,it may be that she will be very wide of him4 ,but distance calculated in mere length counts for comparatively little4 ,it is the distance in height from the earth below that makes all the difference4 ,consequently1 if the rook persists in trying to keep the air1 and ,lady ,long-wing has the pluck and the condition to keep up the chase1 the time comes sooner or later when the shift is not strong enough or not quick enough4 ,then as you watch the two birds--or the two little specks1 as they may by that time have become--the lines along which they are moving will be seen to converge and not separate again4 ,there will be a shout of jubilation from below4 ,who-whoop3 it is the death-cry4 ,one of those eight sharp talons which1 half hid by feathers1 arm the lower side of the hawk's body has hooked itself into some bone1 or at least some fleshy part1 of the victim's body4 ,then from the under side of the slim falcon1 as she spreads her wings and sinks nearer into sight1 will be seen hanging a confused mass of black shiny feathers4 ,as the two birds--victor and vanquished--come down to earth1 the former will sometimes be seen tightening her grasp or catching hold with the second foot4 ,at anyrate1 within less than a second after they have reached the ground1 the deadly clutch of the conqueror will be on the head of the conquered4 ,in another second or two the point of her beak will have broken the victim's neck at the top of the vertebral column4 ,no man can encompass the killing of a rook so speedily and neatly as can a peregrine4 ,within a marvellously short time after the last stoop was delivered1 the head of the captured bird droops inert from the dislocated neck1 and life is completely extinct4 ,illustration3 ,death of a ,rook ,such is the finish of a ringing flight flown out on both sides with unflagging courage--the sort of flight which every true sportsman would like to see often in the hawking-field4 ,but much more often the rook1 when getting the worst of it in the air1 abandons the hope of beating his foe in fair mounting and fair manoeuvring4 ,taking advantage of some moment--perhaps after an ineffectual stoop--when his foe is a trifle wide1 and on the side farthest from a covert which he has marked as a possible place of refuge1 he turns tail1 and makes off--down-wind if possible1 or if not1 across the wind--to that seductive shelter4 ,a wood or spinny is what he would prefer1 but a tree of any kind will do--the taller the better4 ,a farmyard or a flock of sheep1 even a hedge or an empty sheep-fold1 or a waggon--anything behind or around which he can save himself from the dreaded stoop4 ,in any1 even of the least effective refuges1 there will be at least a respite4 ,and if that very poor stronghold is found untenable1 he can begin a fresh retreat to a more promising place1 with recovered wind1 and perhaps better luck4 ,often a rook will make for a rather distant plantation1 with a nearer shelter of an inferior kind in view as a pis aller4 ,the hawk1 of course1 knows as well as he what he is after1 and follows at her best pace4 ,now is the time to ride hard4 ,even with a moderate wind the birds will be travelling over a mile a minute4 ,ride as you will1 they will be over your head long before you are near the covert1 if it is at all distant4 ,lucky if you are even in time to be near when the first down-wind stoop is delivered4 ,the down-wind stoop of a peregrine is terrible4 ,it is often avoided1 no doubt1 but the impetus1 if she misses1 carries her on right ahead of the rook1 over the place where he must pass if he goes on4 ,and there she is1 blocking the way to the desired haven4 ,she can poise herself steadily for the next shot1 choosing her own time for it1 and will have every possible advantage over the rook1 which has to run the gauntlet of those eight dagger-like talons4 ,the last stoop before reaching covert is very often fatal4 ,the hawk knows that probably it is her last chance of catching hold1 whereas in the open she is aware that a very fast stroke1 though not quite accurately aimed1 will do a great deal towards taking the nerve and strength out of her quarry1 and make him easier to hit later on4 ,if the rook once makes a plantation of any size1 he is safe4 ,no human power can drive him out4 ,peregrines1 of course1 will not go into cover after their quarry4 ,now and then a young hawk at hack will try to do something vague in the way of cutting down or dislodging a bird which has put in2 but such attempts are dismal failures1 and are hardly ever even thought of by grown-ups4 ,if the rook has put in to a very low tree or a tall hedge1 he may often be dislodged by throwing sticks and stones at him1 or sending a boy up4 ,sometimes snapping a cap on a pistol1 or cracking a whip1 or making any other sudden and loud noise1 will put him on the wing again4 ,but before going far1 he is only too likely to put back to the same place1 or to a neighbouring tree1 if one is near1 or to another part of the hedge4 ,even when the shelter is only a low line of hurdles1 it is quite difficult to hustle out a rook so that the peregrine1 waiting on above1 may have a fair shot at him4 ,a big tree is generally a safe refuge4 ,if you send anyone up1 the refugee will only shift his quarters to another branch4 ,and all the time while you are trying to get him out1 the hawk will be circling above--if1 indeed1 she does not get tired of waiting1 and start after some other quarry4 ,with a passage hawk which has not long been at work1 you cannot risk keeping her long in the air on the chance of your routing out a rook that has put in4 ,she may check at a passing pigeon1 or at a quite distant flock of rooks1 or any other bird which she was once wont to kill1 and then1 even if you are well mounted1 you will have great difficulty in keeping her in sight4 ,if1 therefore1 you are hawking with a passager1 and cannot get your rook out quickly1 take her down with the lure1 and have a try later on at another rook in the open4 ,if the hawk kills1 the falconer will get up at once1 and make in in the manner described in the chapter on ,entering4 ,there is not much danger of any attempt to carry when the quarry is as big a bird as a rook4 ,but caution should be observed1 nevertheless1 as1 if you are rough or in a hurry1 you may induce in the hawk a disposition to carry1 which on some future occasion may cause no end of trouble4 ,do not even now let your hawk feed upon the rook1 unless you are quite sure that she likes such food4 ,take care that from the first she shall be well pleased with having taken this quarry1 which is not the one she is predisposed to fancy4 ,if in doubt about her liking for rook's flesh1 substitute a pigeon4 ,and it is as well to be contented with one kill on the first day4 ,a fresh flight might not end so happily1 and would then partly annul the good effect of the one that has succeeded4 ,besides1 you want to reward your hawk for her victory by giving her a good feed at once1 which of course you could not do if you intended to fly her again4 ,be well satisfied1 therefore1 that the first step has been made towards making a good rook-hawk4 ,after a few more flights1 if even a moderate percentage of them end well1 your pupil will begin to take a delight in the business4 ,sometimes she will become so keen at it that you can freely let her feed upon the last rook she kills in the day4 ,only do not give her too much of this food4 ,it would be a thousand pities if1 after having acquired a liking for this flight1 she should1 for the sake of a small economy to her owner1 be allowed to become disgusted with it4 ,rooks may be flown as soon as the passage hawks are trained4 ,old peregrines can of course be flown at any time 7except when there are young rooks in the nests74 ,but the winter and early part of the year is the best time1 as later on the young crops preclude the possibility of riding over arable land2 and it is impossible to ensure that the area of a flight shall be confined to the open downs4 ,it is on some broad expanse of turf1 however1 that the quarry should be found1 if you are to enjoy a good gallop and a proper view of the flight2 for if you have to jump fences1 you must needs take your eyes off the birds1 and it may then be difficult to catch sight of them quickly again4 ,you should not fly at a rook if there is any tolerable covert within half a mile down-wind1 or a third of a mile on either side4 ,the distance up-wind to the nearest covert need not be so great4 ,when a rook is just rising off the ground1 you can of course give him more law than when he is already on the wing4 ,for1 as has been said1 height in the air counts very much more than distance along the flat4 ,even the small elevation from which a hawk starts as you carry her on horseback gives her a certain advantage over the rook which is only just off the ground4 ,rook flights often end more than a mile in a straight line from the start4 ,but generally this is equivalent to saying that the distance flown has been more than double as much1 by reason of the doublings and up-and-down dashes which both birds have made4 ,in following a flight1 it is best to keep about a quarter of a mile to leeward1 or as near this as you can get1 while keeping a good view of the scene4 ,as the rook gets higher1 still keep well to leeward1 until you are pretty sure what covert the rook will ultimately make for4 ,a little practice will generally enable you to make a pretty good guess1 although perhaps for a while the rook may be heading a different way4 ,if you are wrong1 and find yourself thrown out1 perhaps the best plan is not to ride hard in the vain hope of getting nearer1 but take out your field-glasses1 and watch the flight from about where you are4 ,each man out who knows enough about hawking to be able to take up a hawk1 should carry a spare lure1 so that1 in case of a lost hawk1 he may try for her in his own direction1 while others are engaged on the same task in theirs4 ,agree beforehand1 however1 with the owner of the hawk1 that if you find her you may take her up4 ,falcons are generally flown single at rooks1 except at the time of entering them with a make-hawk4 ,in a double flight ,i think that the rook is as a rule a bit overmatched1 that is1 if the hawks are in proper fettle4 ,but for entering a backward hawk1 or encouraging one which does not take kindly to this flight1 it is very useful to use a make-hawk1 that is to say1 one which is already keen in the cause4 ,most hawks are very strongly influenced by example2 and a young eyess particularly1 recognising as she does the superior style of a haggard or passager1 will readily imitate her1 and join in a chase upon which she sees that the other has embarked4 ,a double flight is very pretty1 and very effective4 ,the way in which the two hawks assist one another1 waiting each for her turn to stoop1 and making her plans so as to profit by the action of her comrade for increasing the force of her own strokes1 is interesting even to the most careless observer of animal life4 ,but the double flight is better reserved for such more arduous undertakings as the pursuit of kites1 herons1 and gulls4 ,a few words will be said in a later chapter about these quarry and the sport they afford4 ,but in all the main particulars it resembles that which has been here described4 ,the rook flight is at once the commonest and the most typical form of sport when the hawks are flown out of the hood2 and he who has successfully trained a peregrine to this business should have no great difficulty in making any other of the large long-winged hawks to such other quarry4 ,,chapter ,,viii ,game-,hawking ,partridges1 pheasants1 and other game birds may be killed with several kinds of hawks4 ,in ancient times it seems that the former were taken in ,england with the jerkin1 or male ger1 and occasionally with the gerfalcon1--though this was mostly reserved for much bigger quarry1--with the peregrine falcon and tiercel1 the lanner and lanneret1 the barbary falcon and tiercel1 the male goshawk1 the female sparrow-hawk1 and sometimes even the tiny merlin and almost equally diminutive hobby4 ,in our times most of these varieties have been almost disused for the flight at game birds1 for various reasons1 the chief of which is that peregrines are found to be more useful at it than the other sorts4 ,it is true that goshawks have been flown quite lately both at partridges and pheasants1 and with some success2 and it will be seen in treating of the sparrow-hawk that she has also done some execution amongst the denizens of the swedes and stubbles4 ,even merlins have been found occasionally to take a young partridge in ,september4 ,but goshawks and sparrow-hawks are seldom speedy enough to catch many full-grown partridges1 unless they can be approached nearer than is usually the case nowadays4 ,probably not more than one merlin in fifty could be induced to fly partridges with any zest2 and not one in a hundred could hold a full-grown one on the ground without great difficulty and risk to the tail feathers4 ,and1 as merlins will not wait on1 the flight with them at partridges1 if it were to be accomplished1 would lack the chief attraction of game-hawking1 and not be much worth seeing4 ,the lanner and the barbary1 as well as the ger-tiercel1 would still certainly show good sport with game2 so would the two kinds of shaheen1 and very possibly the saker4 ,but the supply of these hawks is extremely limited2 and the climate of ,england does not suit them so well as the peregrine4 ,moreover1 the mode of training and flying them does not materially differ from that of the commoner and hardier bird4 ,it may be assumed1 therefore1 for the purposes of the chapter1 that game-hawking means1 what falconers generally understand by it1 the flight with peregrines at grouse1 black-game1 or partridges4 ,pheasants1 snipe1 hares1 and woodcocks will be dealt with in another chapter4 ,grouse and black-game hawking differ in no important particular from partridge-hawking2 and1 generally speaking1 what is to be said about the latter may be said with equal truth of the other two4 ,it should be mentioned1 however1 that falcons1 from their superior strength1 are much to be preferred for the flight at the bigger quarry4 ,although there have been cases where tiercels have done well at grouse1 these are exceptional4 ,usually they are averse to tackling so heavy a quarry1 and1 of course1 still more reluctant to take the field against blackcock4 ,they are1 however1 perfectly equal to the flight at partridges4 ,some falconers have even professed to prefer them for this flight to their sisters4 ,this1 however1 was not the view taken in the classic age of falconry2 and if a fair comparison is made the falcon will be found to be at least as good for the stubble-fields1 while vastly superior on the moors4 ,here again the method of training and working1 whether the one sex or the other is used1 is identically the same4 ,in game-hawking1 the eyess is much more on even terms with the passager than in the flight out of the hood at rooks and larger quarry4 ,in fact1 some of the very best and deadliest grouse-hawks in modern times have come from the nest to the falconer's hands4 ,the records of the ,old ,hawking ,club show a quite exceptionally brilliant score made by one of their eyesses1 ,parachute1 who took no less than fifty-seven grouse in one season1 heading the list of that year's performances on the ,club moor4 ,in the same year1 #ahhb1 ,vesta1 an eyess of her first season1 killed as many as forty-three grouse4 ,yet it must not be inferred from this that every nestling is as likely to kill grouse or partridges as well as a passage hawk4 ,it is rarely that the latter does not fly at least creditably1 when trained1 whereas with eyesses the general rule is rather the other way4 ,a really first-rate performer is amongst eyesses the exception1 however well they have been hacked and trained4 ,on the other hand1 the making of the eyess to this flight is beset by few of the difficulties which trouble him who would train a wild-caught hawk to it4 ,it has been said already that a passage hawk1 waiting on at any height1 must naturally be more apt to check at passing birds than an eyess4 ,the latter has been1 or ought to have been1 reserved1 from her youth up1 for the one flight for which she was specially destined by her owner2 whereas the other1 from her youth up1 until captured1 has been accustomed to fly at whatever happened to be most ready to hand4 ,there is1 too1 generally a special reason why the passage hawk should be apt1 when expected to wait on for game1 to check at any rook which may be in sight4 ,as a rule she has come into the trainer's hands in the late autumn1 has been deliberately entered by him at rooks in early spring1 and has flown them with his entire approbation for some weeks4 ,no wonder1 then1 that if on the twelfth of ,august a rook comes past she should think it her duty to go for him4 ,let us1 however1 speak of the eyess first1 and we can see afterwards what modifications are to be made in the case of the older hawk4 ,when your pupil will come well to the lure do not keep her long1 if at all1 at work in stooping at it4 ,on the contrary1 let the interval between the time when she is thrown off and the time when she is invited to come down on the lure be as long as possible4 ,keep her on the wing as long as you dare4 ,but you must not at first go too far in this direction4 ,if you wear out her patience she may go to perch1 either on the ground or perhaps in a tree half a mile away4 ,take her down1 therefore1 if you can1 before she is too much tired4 ,but if you should make a mistake1 and the inapt pupil goes to perch1 do not hurry after her1 unless there is any special reason for doing so4 ,stay where you are if she is well in sight2 or1 if not1 move to a spot where she can easily see you1 and do not have the air of pursuing her4 ,make her understand that1 in this case1 it is she who must come to you1 and not you to her4 ,when she finds after a long sojourn in the tree or on the ground1 that after all1 she has either to trouble herself to come or else go without her food1 she will be less likely to be troublesome next time4 ,she will think to herself1 ,what was the use of all that delay8 ,i might as well have kept on the wing and had my dinner sooner4 ,such reflections are very salutary4 ,you do not want to be beat by your pupil1 but your pupil to be beat by you1 and to learn that your way of doing things is the best both for her and for you4 ,she will learn it1 too1 if you go the right way to work and persevere4 ,with an eyess you have the whip hand4 ,she cannot easily feed herself without you2 and she knows it4 ,for weeks she has been indebted to you1 directly or indirectly1 for her daily rations4 ,even in her wildest days at the end of hack1 when she would let no one come near her1 she was often watching you with eager eyes as you put out her meat on the hack board1 and since that1 have you not always either given her her food on the lure1 or at all events taken her to a place where she could fly and kill a quarry which you had put up for her8 ,have patience with her1 therefore1 and induce her by slow degrees to go up higher and higher4 ,you must use all imaginable devices to accomplish this main object4 ,try to make her understand that the higher she goes the more chance there is of your producing the lure4 ,thus1 suppose she has made three or four circles without going more than forty feet high1 and in the next goes to fifty or sixty feet1 bring out the lure and let her have it4 ,here is another device4 ,two men go out1 each having a lure4 ,one stands on higher ground than the other4 ,then call off the hawk alternately1 each man showing his lure in turn1 and hiding it as the hawk comes up4 ,but let the man on the upper ground never indulge her with any success4 ,when she is gratified let it be when she comes from above4 ,she is not unlikely to associate the idea of success with that of toiling upwards and then coming more swiftly down4 ,this is1 moreover1 a view of the matter to which the minds of all hawks are naturally prone4 ,the flesh is weak1 particularly in eyesses1 but the spirit knows that the proper way to earn a living is to mount and then stoop down4 ,it is not good to defer needlessly the moment when you give your hawk a flight4 ,flights at quarry1 even if it is bagged quarry only1 almost always improve the mounting of a hawk4 ,why8 ,because first nature and then experience teaches her that from a height she has more chance of catching a live bird4 ,it is not a bad plan1 if your hawk mounts badly1 to start for her 7from a place of concealment1 of course7 a fast house-pigeon at a distance of five or six hundred yards up-wind from a thick covert4 ,she will have plenty of time to make a stoop or two in the open4 ,but she will almost certainly fail1 and the pigeon will get off easily into shelter4 ,then if your hawk comes back to you at a good height1 give her a much worse pigeon1 which she will have a good chance of taking4 ,if she comes back low1 take her down to the lure1 and save the second pigeon4 ,the next day you may take out two pigeons--a good and a bad4 ,if your hawk mounts better give the bad pigeon2 and if not1 give her again the one which she will not be able to catch4 ,these are not infallible methods2 but they may succeed1 and they are worth trying1 when a hawk is averse to mounting naturally4 ,in the lone hours of darkness1 when her hood is on1 such a hawk may fight her battles over again1 and inquire seriously of herself what was the cause of her ill-success4 ,and1 reflecting on the experiences of hack1 she may very likely conclude that she could have done better if she had started in pursuit from higher in the air4 ,the old falconers had a device which is not often adopted now1 but which seems to have been effectual1 at least1 in some cases4 ,they seeled 7see ,chap4 ,v47 the bagged quarry1--usually a duck or a pigeon1--and the effect was that1 when so blindfolded and let loose1 it flew upwards1 like a towering partridge1 avoiding the risk of striking against obstacles which it could not see4 ,the hawk flown at such quarry was naturally induced to keep high when waiting on4 ,the objection to any such flight is that the quarry has not a fair chance of shifting from the stoop when it comes4 ,the giving of bagged quarry is not a thing to be encouraged or continued for any length of time4 ,bagged game never fly well1 seldom passably even2 and they demoralise a hawk4 ,bagged house-pigeons fly admirably2 but then they are not the quarry you want your hawk to pursue4 ,on the contrary1 you are particularly anxious that as your hawk is waiting on for a covey to be put up she shall not start off in pursuit of a chance pigeon4 ,be very stingy1 therefore1 with your bagged pigeons2 and if you give any at all1 leave off directly your hawk has begun to mount at all decently4 ,eyesses of all kinds are often given to raking away1 i4e4 wandering away from the falconer to inordinate distances1 when they ought to be waiting on nearly over his head4 ,and these aberrations are generally in a down-wind direction4 ,it is fortunate1 therefore1 that in game-hawking the quarry is usually put up by walking down-wind4 ,otherwise many young hawks would have little chance of coming up with them4 ,for it is a curious thing that1 as compared with game birds1 the speed of a peregrine is greater when going down-wind1 whereas in rook-hawking she gains more rapidly when both are flying up-wind4 ,on the troublesome habit of raking away1 some observations will be found in the chapter on ,vices4 ,practice is usually the best remedy4 ,a hawk generally has gumption enough to see that by constantly waiting on down-wind she puts herself at a great disadvantage for killing her bird if it goes up-wind2 and when she has come to understand that the bird is going to be put up by you1 and not accidentally1 she will begin to place herself willingly in such a position over you as to be ready for the stoop when the birds are flushed4 ,why-loe6--a cry with a rather ,chinese sound about it--was the shout used for calling in a raking hawk4 ,of course1 while flying her at the lure you may do something towards habituating your eyess to keep up-wind1 by rewarding her when she stoops from there1 and not from the other side4 ,so also1 in actual flying1 keep still1 and let the game lie1 while she is wide2 and move on when she is in her proper place4 ,if she can get a kill or two from a pitch over the falconer's head it will be better for her than any number of kills made when she was waiting on wide4 ,the glory of a falconer who goes in for game-hawking is a falcon towering in her pride of place2 and her place is some hundreds of yards above her master's head4 ,a high pitch is the beauty of a game-hawk4 ,it is what enables her to kill1 and to kill well4 ,the best game-hawks go up until they look quite small in the sky4 ,a thousand feet is often attained4 ,when a peregrine is as high as this1 it matters comparatively little whereabouts the game gets up4 ,she can come down upon them nearly as easily at an angle of #gj or #hj1 as at an angle of #ij4 ,sometimes even more easily4 ,the time occupied in coming down is a mere nothing compared with the time which would be occupied in flying along the level to the same spot4 ,when once1 therefore1 you see your hawk at a good pitch1 use every effort to get up the game4 ,when she sees the men running she will very likely be all the more ready to keep in a good place4 ,after a week or two's practice she will know well enough what the whole show means1 and will play her part in it con amore4 ,if your hawk will not mount properly1 but potters about in a useless way at a mean height1 you may try other plans4 ,you may call her off half a mile or so from the lee side of an open moor1 and1 as she comes across it up-wind1 let beaters from each side try to drive grouse inwards towards her line of flight4 ,if you can once enable her to take a grouse there are hopes of her yet4 ,you may even fly her from the fist at a grouse if you can get near enough to one to make it at all likely that she will catch it4 ,i have seen this done with a backward young falcon1 which would not wait on4 ,there ensued a stern chase all along the ground for at least half a mile1 both birds flying at almost exactly the same pace4 ,the sight was ridiculous enough2 but in the end the falcon managed to catch the grouse1 and was allowed to take her pleasure on it4 ,the success1 small as it was1 saved the hawk at anyrate from being disgusted with grouse-hawking1 as she would otherwise very soon have been4 ,it is wonderful what good is done to a young hawk by catching a difficult quarry by her own unaided efforts4 ,the encouragement she derives from it is occasionally so great that she seems suddenly to develop her latent powers beyond all expectation4 ,you must not1 however1 expect that every young falcon will be a good grouse-hawk4 ,indeed1 you must not expect many to be so4 ,the quarry is a difficult one1 and until you have trained a good many partridge-hawks you are not likely to make one for grouse4 ,in partridge-hawking no very great speed is wanted1 if only the hawk will mount well and throw up well4 ,partridges can be flushed much nearer1 as a rule1 to the hawk than grouse4 ,although they are fast1 especially up-wind1 they are not as fast as grouse1 nor as wild4 ,nor perhaps1 ,i may add1 as perverse in getting up at the place and time you like least1 though both are clever enough at choosing their time for making off4 ,in an enclosed country1 if you do not kill your partridge at the first shot1 he will often put in at the next hedge1 and there you may mark him and get him out4 ,but on an open moor the grouse generally go so far before putting in that you cannot mark the place near enough to get them out quickly4 ,thus out of a hundred eyess peregrines1 probably more than #gj per cent4 will1 in good hands1 fly partridges very fairly1 whereas out of a hundred eyess falcons--leaving tiercels out of the account--you will not find anything like fifty which are really good at the bigger quarry4 ,of tiercels it would be rash to say that even #a per cent4 would fly well at grouse4 ,of the falcons which fail some appear to be too lazy1 and others too slow4 ,a good deal depends on the first few flights4 ,if a hawk has good luck on two or three occasions when she is first taken out1 and a young grouse gets up well within reach1 the young hawk will take heart1 and1 feeling assured that she can take the quarry1 will try hard and will improve4 ,choose1 therefore1 for a hawk that is of doubtful courage the flights which seem likely to be the easiest4 ,remember that an immense deal depends upon the conditions under which you call upon your hawk to make her first flight at a grouse4 ,there are still some places where you can shoot grouse over dogs4 ,if it be your good fortune to have access with your hawks to a moor where this can be done1 you are in luck4 ,as soon as there is a steady point 7you are1 of course1 on open ground71 unhood and throw off your hawk1 which has already learnt to wait on4 ,as long as she is moving upwards1 making each circle a little higher than the last1 stand still and let her go on1 or1 if the point is far off1 walk steadily towards it4 ,the grouse will have seen the hawk1 and be in no hurry to move while she is mounting2 but presently they will be aware also of your approach4 ,then there will be a small debate in their minds--or rather in that of their papa--whether it is best to keep still and eventually be shot at1 or to start off at once and at once be stooped at4 ,the nearer you approach1 and the farther the hawk rakes away1 the more does the decision incline towards making a bolt of it2 but papa grouse is not going to make a fool of himself by bolting at the moment which you would prefer4 ,your programme1 of course1 is to wait till your falcon is heading in towards the dog1 and then rush in upon the hesitating assembly4 ,unfortunately1 this plan does not fit in with the views of the worthies in question4 ,they have also been waiting till the hawk's head was turned away1 and now1 as she is near the outer part of her circle which is farthest from the quarry1 up they get1 and off they go1 whizzing along the top of the heather4 ,at this stage of the proceedings the modern falconer does1 for once1 find the use of his voice4 ,he shouts loudly to call the hawk's attention and to cheer her on4 ,hey1 gar1 gar1 gar6 or ,hoo1 ha1 ha6 are old-fashioned cries for encouraging a falcon to stoop from her pitch1 and are still often used4 ,there can be no doubt that a shout of some kind1 or a blast on the horn1 if you prefer it1 has an inspiriting effect on hawks1 and that not only when they start for their first descent1 but at each successive stoop4 ,i almost fancy that ,i have actually seen them cheer up as they heard a loud ,bravo come from the field far beneath after a brilliant stoop or a masterly throw-up6 ,it is with grouse and black-game1 more than with any other quarry1 that you see at once when they get up the immense advantage of a high pitch4 ,when the falcon is some hundreds of feet high she commands a wide area below4 ,at the height of a quarter of a mile it matters little whether the range of her circling flight takes her a hundred yards to one side or the other4 ,she can come down with equal ease upon any one spot in an area of thirty acres4 ,no one knows how the speed and force of a falcon's stoop are gained4 ,all we can say is that it is the fastest movement made by any living thing in the world4 ,it is not flying1 and it is not falling1 but a combination of the two1 with some other impulse which we do not understand4 ,mere weight must be at least a most important element1 for a heavy hawk seems always to come down quicker as well as far more forcibly than one of the same species which is lighter4 ,but weight is only one factor in the agglomeration of influences which make the stoop of the peregrine and the ger so swift4 ,it must be seen to be believed in4 ,there is no conceivable way of measuring its speed1 but it is such that the momentum of it alone carries the hawk with half-closed wings right past a grouse at his best pace1 making that pace appear absolutely slow by comparison4 ,the descent from above is often made so that the hawk is at the end of it a few feet or yards behind the grouse1 and nearly on a level with him4 ,hence the course of the pursuer bends forwards horizontally1 but with such deviation from the straight line as is necessary to correspond with the flight of the pursued4 ,it is so regulated that it may pass through that part of the air where the quarry is expected to be4 ,of course the expectation may be falsified4 ,the hawk may suppose that the grouse will swerve to the right1 whereas he may swerve to the left4 ,but1 just as a fine fencer will divine by some subtle skill whether his adversary is going to parry in carte or tierce1 or to make a single or double disengagement1 so the good game-hawk judges from some slight movement or attitude where the grouse intends to be at the moment when she rushes past4 ,this power is not so surprising in a haggard1 but some eyesses seem to be instinctively gifted with a share of it4 ,others acquire it rapidly both in stooping at the lure and in their actual flights4 ,but with eyesses it is rather the exception to be really good footers1 whereas with haggards and many red passage hawks it is almost the rule4 ,passage peregrines are1 of course1 much more likely to succeed with grouse and black-game than eyesses4 ,out of a dozen falcons skilfully taken in hand1 and kept specially for game-hawking1 it would not be unreasonable to expect that eight or nine would take their quarry well4 ,by rights a passager which is intended to be flown principally at game should be captured in the spring4 ,there is no use in keeping her all the while idle from ,november to the next ,august4 ,if taken in ,april she would be well fit for flying on the twelfth of ,august4 ,there would1 it is true1 be some trouble about the moult1 but this might often be deferred till very much later than it can be with eyesses4 ,according to modern practice1 which is to catch no wild peregrines in spring1 the passager has almost always been more or less flown at rooks in the early part of the year4 ,she has accordingly to unlearn a good deal that she learnt then1 and be introduced to the much more risky and artificial accomplishment of waiting on4 ,that she should take kindly to this habit is not a thing to be anticipated4 ,it would be going rather too far to expect her to moon about overhead humbly waiting till the falconer below pleases to throw out for her a morsel of cold and uninviting food4 ,you will generally find it best to employ with her rather different tactics from those which served for the eyesses4 ,thus you may call her off to the lure from the other side of a wide moorside1 and1 as she comes across the heather1 contrive that there shall get up out of it a very fast pigeon4 ,on the first occasion it is ten to one that she will start at this from the very moderate height at which she was flying towards you2 but whether she takes the pigeon or not1 she will know very well that she ought1 for her own advantage1 to have been higher when he got up2 and the next time you call her off at a similar place and in a similar way1 the odds are that she comes to you higher in the air4 ,a third trial will probably find her higher still1 and you may let her make a circle or two before starting the pigeon4 ,when she has once flown a grouse in a somewhat similar way the effect will be still more marked4 ,do not now dream of lowering her pitch by ever letting her stoop to the lure4 ,indeed1 after the passager is once made to the dead lure1 it need scarcely be used at all1 except to call the hawk back after unsuccessful flights4 ,for the first twelve months you must still be mistrustful of your passager4 ,some of the old writers advise not to try her at waiting on until she is intermewed4 ,but when once she can be trusted she will do better than almost any eyess4 ,to begin with1 she can kill from a much lower pitch than the latter4 ,she is swifter on the wing2 she is a better footer2 and she knows much better how to play her cards4 ,and one of the best cards of a game-hawk is a high pitch4 ,why should she not play it8 ,has she not already done so to perfection long before you had the honour of her acquaintance8 ,how often1 in far northern lands1 has she from above the highest mountains come down like a thunderbolt upon the fast-flying ptarmigan or shifty rock-pigeon8 ,does she not know that it is this altitude which gives power and success8 ,when she has begun killing grouse she will soon enter into the spirit of the thing4 ,every bird--and a hawk not least--knows that what has happened once or twice may happen again4 ,she was thrown off2 she saw no lure1 no rook4 7,for we took care1 did we not1 that none was in sight87 ,after a while you put up a grouse for her4 ,and now1 on another occasion1 to the same beginning will there not be the same end8 ,she will almost certainly think it well to be prepared for such a contingency2 and the only way to be prepared is to get up a bit1 and to remain pretty near the falconer4 ,as soon as her pains have been rewarded she is made4 ,the mischief of it is that you cannot1 with grouse1 make sure of giving her these fair trials just when you wish4 ,grouse are such contrairy birds1 that you cannot always find them when you have the best right to expect that you will4 ,you must1 however1 do your best2 and ,i1 for one1 verily believe that the hawk knows when you are doing your best4 ,otherwise1 what is the moral of that pretty story1 so well told by ,peregrine1 of the falcon which1 finding the pointer rather slow in putting up the covey1 made a stoop at him by way of a gentle hint1 and then got up to her pitch again8 ,black-game are still more difficult to take than grouse4 ,an old cock will hardly be taken unless from a good pitch and under favourable circumstances4 ,grey-hens1 however1 have a way early in the season of sometimes lying very close2 and when this happens1 and the hawk happens to be waiting on near1 she will cut the poor wretch down easily4 ,with black-game the first stoop is generally the most deadly1 but it must be made from a high pitch4 ,a gerfalcon or tiercel stooping at an old blackcock in a really open place is the perfection of game-hawking1 and from certain points of view--that of mere speed1 for instance--the ne plus ultra of all hawking4 ,partridges1 on the other hand1 are easier in all respects--easier to find1 easier to approach1 easier to kill4 ,the modus operandi is exactly the same as for the larger game4 ,if you can work with a pointer or setter1 so much the better2 the hawk will generally know after a while what the dog means and where the birds are likely to get up4 ,an old game-hawk will often display marvellous intelligence in waiting on in the right position4 ,when this is the case1 and the country is good1 the bag fills rapidly4 ,no sooner is there a point than off goes the hood4 ,after a short delay the hawk is at her pitch1 and you can walk or ride in4 ,any partridge must be clever which avoids the first stoop of an old peregrine4 ,even if he does1 except in a country where there are thick covers1 the fatal blow is merely deferred4 ,putting in at a thin hedge is only a temporary escape1 for you can mark the place4 ,the hawk will mark it also1 by making her point1 i4e4 throwing up into the air over the spot1 and she will wait on while you beat4 ,a spaniel or retriever will generally rout out the fugitive4 ,the orthodox cry for encouraging the hawk when the game is so routed out is ,howit6 howit6 ,sometimes the partridge which has put in is1 as an old author says1 so surcharged with fear as to be caught by the dog or picked up by the hand4 ,it should then generally be thrown out for the hawk to take1 especially if she is a young one1 and the dog admonished by the cry of ,ware1 hawk6 ware6 ,if you use no dogs1 mark down a bird or a covey1 and put your hawk on the wing to windward of the place1 then1 as she waits on1 walk or ride down-wind towards the spot4 ,if the hawk flies wide make a halt till she is coming up1 and then go on at full speed again4 ,as long as she is facing the birds1 and not down-wind of them1 you have a good chance of a kill4 ,when you are quite sure that there are birds on a ground you need not wait to mark any down1 but beat the ground down-wind1 keeping the men in line1 with the hawk in the air4 ,when the birds are wild this is often the only way in which you can get a flight4 ,the worst of it is that the first bird which gets up may get up a quarter of a mile ahead1 though there are plenty of nearer ones on the ground4 ,of course the hawk will go at the first which gets up1 and there will be a long stern chase1 with small chance of a kill1 and perhaps a long delay before the hawk is got back4 ,if you have to go down-wind after her--which ought not to be the case1 but often is--you must make a dead beat in coming back so as to get up-wind again1 and begin afresh to drive to leeward4 ,such1 as far as the arial part of it is concerned1 is game-hawking4 ,a much more complicated affair than rook-hawking1 as the hawk has to be trusted all alone to mount to her pitch1 and stay there sometimes for many minutes without raking away1 and1 above all1 without checking at other quarry4 ,the hawk1 moreover1 is not the only actor in the play4 ,you must arrange your beaters and markers properly1 even for partridge-hawking1 and much more for moor-game4 ,if you intend to hawk over dogs1 which you should certainly do if you have the chance1 the hawk1 while being manned and entered1 must be induced to make friends with them and they with her4 ,in the nature of things a hawk mistrusts a dog1 even if she does not actively dislike him1 and you must get rid of this mistrust4 ,your pointer or setter1 and your retriever too1 or whatever dog you intend to use for any purpose1 must often be present while her ladyship is being fed and carried4 ,first1 of course1 at a respectful distance1 but by degrees nearer and nearer1 until the pair of them are on quite good terms with one another4 ,a few raps over the nose will teach ,ponto not to be too familiar2 and a nice wing of chicken offered to ,stella within a foot of that same nose will do wonders in reconciling her to its proximity4 ,a long step will have been gained when you can let the dogs play about on the lawn while the hawks sit still on their blocks1 watching with contemptuous eye movements which are clownish and undignified as compared with their own in the air4 ,but the real triumph will come when they have all been out for a day together2 when1 with ,ponto standing at the point1 ,stella has glittered high above him in the sunshine1 circling gracefully with expectant eye turned down2 when ,ponto1 down-charging humbly1 has seen the lightning-like stoop a hundred yards ahead2 when the partridge1 shifting cleverly1 has put in to a hedge2 and when ,pompey the retriever1 tugging at his leash1 has been led up to the spot and has enjoyed the felicity of putting out that same partridge for ,stella to finish off with another dash from the sky4 ,then it will be a pretty sight1 if you have time to enjoy it1 to see the hawk1 with the pride of victory in her eyes1 pluming the dead quarry on the ground1 while the two dogs1 stretched at length close by1 look on contentedly1 conscious that part of the credit for the whole performance is due to them4 ,illustration3 ,,pluming ,,the ,,dead ,,grouse ,even if there are no dogs1 the falconer must have a watchful eye on his company in the field1 especially if it includes new hands at the now unfashionable sport4 ,these must be warned mildly1 or it may be reminded sharply1 to maintain that repose of demeanour which befits the sport of kings4 ,to keep still as the falcon mounts is quite as essential as to press on when she has got to her pitch4 ,if a kill occurs it is lawful enough to join in the death-cry1 but not to hurry up4 ,such ill-timed zeal might cause an infinity of mischief1 and even1 in the case of a falcon or ger1 the loss of her then and there4 ,everyone present should stop fifty or more yards from the fatal spot1 except the one man who is authorised to take her up2 and while he makes in1 no noise or violent movement should disturb the solemn scene4 ,cigars may be lighted1 and the incidents of the flight may be discussed2 but it is only when the falconer1 rising from his knees with the victor on his glove1 gives the signal to come on1 that curiosity may be gratified by a good look at the vanquished4 ,there is some variety in the mode employed by hawks in taking game4 ,in rook-hawking they all bind to the quarry1 that is1 they clutch it in the air1 and retain their hold as they come down to earth4 ,i think ,i am right in saying that when a hawk strikes and does not hold a rook1 it is almost always either accidentally or because her talon has not held fast4 ,many peregrines--perhaps all eyesses--begin by binding to grouse and partridges4 ,but the tremendous speed of the stoop in game-hawking often carries the stooper so fast up to her quarry1 and onwards after it is struck1 that the talon will not hold4 ,something in the body of the victim gives way--the skin1 or maybe a bone or two4 ,moreover1 the strain upon a falcon's foot1 if she dragged along with her a heavy bird flying only half as fast at the moment as herself1 might be painful and even dangerous4 ,consequently a hawk which has a very hard stoop1 as all passage gers have and many wild-caught peregrines1 will sometimes not endeavour to catch hold or bind4 ,they then strike in the truest sense of the word4 ,they deal a blow1 either downwards or forwards1 using the two hind talons for it1 and either break some bone or knock all the wind out of the victim struck4 ,the jar of the blow as they rush by tells them that it has come home1 and instead of throwing up high1 as they would if they had missed1 they check their flight quickly1 and1 swinging round in the air1 descend rapidly on the panting or dazed foe4 ,instances have been known when a stoop has cut the head clean off from a grouse1 and one of ,mr4 ,freeman's falcons cut through several ribs of a partridge as she hit it down4 ,and yet the ger's stoop is accounted much harder than the peregrine's4 ,game-peregrines1 when well entered1 may very well be flown four or five times a day4 ,some of them1 when in good fettle1 more4 ,six kills in one day is a decided feat for a peregrine2 though it has been accomplished in modern times1 and probably surpassed occasionally4 ,but it is unwise to overdo the thing1 and so tax the hawk too severely4 ,if you have a very high-mounter1 you may as well remember a piece of advice upon which ,d',arcussia insists4 ,this is to fly her not many times in any one day4 ,her high mounting is such a grand thing in itself1 he says1 that it is better to maintain it1 even if your bag and your score suffer1 than by letting her kill more--which she could undoubtedly do--to run the risk of lowering her pitch4 ,if1 however1 a hawk has had bad luck1 and still seems full of flying1 you may go on after several unsuccessful flights in the hope of rewarding her at last4 ,it is a very good thing in all sorts of hawking to leave off with a kill4 ,accordingly1 if the third or fourth flight is successful1 the wise falconer will often feed up and leave well alone4 ,i should like to go a little further1 and say that at any time after a very hard flight1 in which the hawk has triumphed over exceptional difficulties and greatly exerted herself1 it is a wise thing to feed up4 ,oh1 do fly her again1 is a seductive cry which some friend is likely to raise4 ,but though next time she could not fly better1 she might perhaps fly worse4 ,i should be inclined to tell such enthusiastic friend that ,i would wait until the morrow4 ,i would let that hawk go to rest with the memory of that one big flight in her mind4 ,it will be a pleasant memory1 embittered by no thought of subsequent failure4 ,one really severe flight1 after a good bout of waiting on1 is a fair day's work for any long-winged hawk1 unless she is owned by a mere pot-hunter4 ,it may be the first flight of the day1 or it may be the fifth--perhaps the sixth or seventh2 but ,i think it will be well to finish up with it4 ,i am glad to be able to give here some actual records of the performances of game-hawks1 which have been most kindly given me by ,mr4 ,st4 ,quintin1 whose skill in this department of falconry1 as in many others1 is second to none4 #ahha ,september #bd ,september #cj ,partridges ,pheasant ,partridges ,rook ,belfry #b 444 ,aide-de-camp #a 444 ,butcherboy #b 444 ,belfry #a 444 ,parachute #c #a ,butcherboy #b 444 ,vanquisher #a 444 ,heroine 444 #a ,mosstrooper #a 444 ,parachute #c 444 ,vanquisher #b 444 ,mosstrooper #a 444 --- --- --- --- #i #a #aj #a #ahhb ,august #af ,august #ai ,august #be ,grouse ,hare ,grouse ,grouse ,parachute #a #a ,parachute #e ,parachute #d ,angela #b 444 ,angela #b ,angela #a ,creole #c 444 ,aide-de-camp #a ,aide-de-camp #c ,aide-de-camp #a 444 ,amesbury #b ,amesbury #b ,amesbury #b 444 ,vesta #b ,vesta #b ,vesta #a 444 ,virginia #a --- --- --- --- #aj #a #ab #ac ,in the season of #ahhb ,mr4 ,st4 ,quintin and ,colonel ,brooksbank1 on a moor which they took in ,sutherland1 took with the hawks #bjj grouse1 besides three blue hares1 killed by the eyess ,parachute1 and one wild duck4 ,after returning to ,england1 ,parachute killed no less than seventy-six partridges1 besides five pheasants4 ,on the same moor1 in #ahhd1 the same gentlemen killed in one day 7,august #ah7 five grouse1 four black-game 7greyhens and young blackcock71 and a hoodie crow2 and on another day 7,august #bj7 eleven grouse4 ,,chapter ,,ix ,lark-,hawking ,the merlin1 the lady's hawk1 has always been the hawk par excellence for larks4 ,hobbies1 no doubt1 have taken them in the old days1 though they were used more often for daring them by waiting on above1 which so terrified the larks that they could be picked up by hand4 ,they take them now constantly in the wild state4 ,but when reclaimed1 they have for many years past proved complete failures in the hands of our modern amateurs4 ,the late ,lord ,lilford made several attempts to get work out of them1 but with hardly any success4 ,mr4 ,george ,symonds obtained a large number when he was in ,italy1 but out of the whole lot could only get one to fly wild quarry4 ,the writer has twice attempted to train a male hobby for larks1 and on the second occasion enjoyed the advantage of valuable assistance and advice from ,colonel ,sanford1 who was at the same time training a brother of the same bird4 ,great pains were taken with both of these hawks1 which were in perfect plumage and condition1 and had been well hacked by no less able a falconer than ,mr4 ,newall4 ,they were well broken to the lure1 and thought nothing of waiting on for a quarter of an hour or more at a vast height4 ,yet it was found impossible to induce either of them to make any serious attempts at a flight4 ,i started mine on one occasion at least twenty times at various small birds1 sometimes putting them up underneath the hawk as he was waiting on1 and at other times throwing him from the fist at them4 ,these were skylarks1 woodlarks1 pipits1 and other small frequenters of the turnip-fields4 ,when they were put up under the hobby1 he seldom took the smallest notice4 ,when thrown off at one1 he would generally make a show of pursuing1 but give up before he had gone fifty yards4 ,one lark put in in front of him to a small heap of hurdles4 ,but instead of being surcharged with fear1 and allowing himself to be picked up1 he seemed to have as much contempt for his pursuer as the latter deserved1 and went up briskly again before there was any chance of even trying to pick him up4 ,the other hobby1 which ,i trained some years before1 did a little better4 ,he once made two or three rings after a wild lark4 ,the rings were very pretty1 and the style of flying most correct4 ,but there was one thing wanting1 the pace was insufficient4 ,to tell the truth1 it was poor2 and at the risk of being denounced by all ornithologists and most falconers1 ,i venture to express a doubt whether the hobby is really a fast hawk4 ,to support the common theory that he is exceptionally fast we have1 no doubt1 the fact that he kills swallows and swifts4 ,but then he has the advantage of them1 owing to his habit of constant soaring at a great height4 ,from this vantage-point1 if he killed one swallow out of a hundred aimed at1 it would not be a conclusive proof of any great speed in flying4 ,much more difficult to explain are the passages in ,latham and other old writers to the effect that hobbies1 and especially female hobbies1 have plenty of courage1 and will well repay the trouble of training4 ,blome1 in the ,gentleman's ,recreation 7#afcf71 is especially loud in his praises of this hawk4 ,after declaring that she is very amiable1 bold1 and daring1 and will make a hawk of great delight1 he adds that she may be left out in the field after being fed up1 and will come back home to the place where she was hacked 7except at migration times72 and ends up by affirming that she is in all respects1 according to her capacity1 as bold and hardy as any other hawk whatsoever4 ,either the training of them has become a lost art1 or the hobby has changed his nature entirely since he was thus eulogised4 ,very different is the account to be rendered of the merlin1 so inferior in external appearance1 so vastly superior in courage and energy4 ,this1 the smallest of the true falcons1 has not yet been persecuted out of existence in ,england with gun and snare1 though the days of its disappearance are doubtless not far distant4 ,of this little hawk ,i speak perhaps with undue enthusiasm1 having made them an object of special care4 ,but the merlin has had admirers amongst some very illustrious persons4 ,louis ,,xiii4 kept hundreds of big hawks4 ,he could have a good day's hawking whenever he liked at cranes1 kites1 or herons4 ,yet he did not disdain1 amidst all these temptations1 to devote a whole morning to lark-hawking with merlins1 and was overjoyed at killing one lark with a cast of them4 ,it is true that this was a winter lark1 but it was only a lark for a' that6 ,one of the greatest falconers that modern times have produced1 ,mr4 ,e4 ,c4 ,newcome1 declared that after heron-hawking1 already extinct in ,england in his day1 the flight with the merlin at larks excelled all others in this country4 ,catherine ,,ii4 of ,russia was also an ardent admirer of this diminutive squire of dames4 ,the training and entering of the merlin1 eyess or wild-caught1 differs in no important particular from that of the peregrine which is to be flown at rooks4 ,only the reclamation is much more speedily effected4 ,often it can be completed1 even in the case of an adult jack1 in less than a fortnight--with the exercise of diligence1 of course4 ,an eyess1 well hacked1 can be manned in less than a week4 ,this1 however1 does not mean that they can be trained to larks in that time4 ,writers on falconry sometimes inadvertently lead their readers astray by declaring that the merlin is easily trained4 ,what the writer means is probably that they are easily manned and made to the lure4 ,this is so2 but the preparation for flying in the field1 at least at larks1 is quite a different matter4 ,merlins1 like all other hawks1 differ greatly in temperament4 ,occasionally you will find a whole nest of them quite free from vice4 ,such hawks are all easily trained for the field4 ,but more often these little creatures are imbued from the first with a disposition to carry4 ,and to fly a merlin at larks before she is cured of this weakness is to involve yourself in endless trouble4 ,eyesses are as bad as haggards--often worse4 ,consequently1 when the hawk is manned and made to the lure1 more than half your work is still before you4 ,a non-carrying merlin can be trained in less than a week after being taken up from hack1 whereas a determined carrier will hardly be safe to fly in double that time4 ,illustration3 ,,trained ,,merlin ,there is another respect in which doubts may be entertained as to the truth of the opinion that merlins are easy to train4 ,if by training is meant merely the qualifying them for driving moulting larks into covert1 and killing them there1 the saying is true enough4 ,you may go to an enclosed country full of moulting larks4 ,you may put one up and start the hawk4 ,the lark1 after a short flight1 will go into a hedge2 and there1 if the merlin does not take him herself1 you can either pick him up with the hand or drive him out for the hawk1 which has taken perch on the fence2 and he will be counted in the bag4 ,but if by training you mean making the hawk fit to take ringing larks in open ground1 the case is different4 ,to do this a merlin must be in the pink of condition--quick1 long-winded1 persevering1 and a good footer4 ,how will you make her so8 ,she will not wait on2 no exercise is to be got that way to bring her into condition4 ,if an eyess1 she has had no practice at footing4 ,how is she to learn that art8 ,then the dieting is a matter of extreme delicacy4 ,if you give butcher's meat1 she will become dull and heavy2 pigeon's flesh will give her a sort of fever2 in sheep's heart1 the food which most amateurs recommend1 there is but poor nourishment2 and she must be strong enough to go up half a mile1 if required6 ,again1 how are you to measure out the exact quantity that is good for her8 ,if you give a peregrine or a goshawk an ounce too much or too little1 the mischief done is slight4 ,but give even half an ounce too much or too little to a jack-merlin1 and he is straightway wrong in his condition4 ,a big hawk is fed only once a day2 there are about twenty-four hours on an average between each meal4 ,if you fly the big hawk on a fast of twenty-two hours or of twenty-six1 it matters little4 ,but between the feeding-times of a merlin there is only an average of twelve hours4 ,therefore it matters a good deal whether you fly her early or late4 ,she may be either too hungry or not hungry enough to do herself full justice4 ,the trainer who aspires to make a good score with ringing larks1 and not to be content with mere hedge-row pot-hunting1 must work pretty hard4 ,he must not make many mistakes4 ,he must observe very strictly the instructions already given for guarding against the besetting vice of carrying1 never allowing a piece of food to be negligently fastened to the lure1 or giving any bagged quarry that can be taken into a tree4 ,he must find freshly-killed small birds almost daily for every merlin1 so that her digestion and strength may be unimpaired4 ,and in order to keep his hawk in wind1 he must give her plenty of exercise4 ,he can hardly do this without stooping her often to the lure4 ,ten minutes of this work1 if the hawk is going all the time at her best pace1 means a good many miles flying4 ,then the merlin must be taught to look principally to the fist for food4 ,when feeding on the lure1 whether it is garnished with a newly-killed sparrow or with a tiring1 she must be provided with tit-bits from the hand1 until1 instead of fearing the approach of the falconer1 she looks for it with pleasure4 ,she must constantly be called to the fist4 ,if there is a good-sized spare room available1 she may be exercised there in coming often from one side of the room to your fist at the other4 ,some falconers advise keeping merlins loose in an empty room1 where blocks and perches have been placed2 and this is1 no doubt1 a very good plan when you have or can build for yourself the right kind of room4 ,the sort of place recommended later on for moulting purposes will sometimes do well enough4 ,i have found that the roof or ceiling is the great difficulty1 as the hawks1 constantly flying round just underneath1 rub off the outer web of the long flight feathers4 ,of course the windows must be guarded with vertical bars1 upon which the little hawks can find no foothold4 ,for the worst cases of carrying ,i must refer the reader to the chapter on ,vices4 ,but even with a well-behaved merlin the trainer must be constantly on his guard1 at least for a fortnight after the hawk has begun work in the field4 ,he must beware1 when she has killed1 of shepherds' dogs1 of wandering crows or rooks1 and of the fowls which are now often found colonising the open fields1 far away from a village or farmhouse4 ,all or any of these may attack the hawk1 and by inducing her to carry away the lark1 sow the seeds of the vile habit4 ,once a carrier1 always a carrier1 is not an entirely true maxim1 but it is not far from the truth4 ,i have known merlins carry badly1 and afterwards abandon the practice2 but such cases are not common1 and the trouble involved in effecting the cure is sometimes more than the merlin is worth4 ,prevention is many miles better than cure2 good1 honest miles1 too1 measured over the stony hillsides of ,wilts6 ,as you approach your merlin on the ground1 remember not to stare at her1 and to give her plenty of time4 ,on the first few occasions you must exercise the patience of a veritable ,job4 ,she is now1 after her victory1 more apprehensive than ever that her hard-earned meal may be ravished from her4 ,as you walk about1 pretending to look at anything rather than her1 she is all the time wondering whether your intentions are honourable or the reverse4 ,instinct tells her that they are base4 ,her previous experience1 on the other hand1 is reassuring to her4 ,your attitude1 as you stroll about1 is indicative of no sinister design4 ,when in doubt do nothing1 is a hawk's maxim1 as well as a diplomatist's4 ,meanwhile there is the quarry to be plumed4 ,so with many lookings round1 and many pauses1 and with a rather misdoubting mind1 she falls to at the work of picking off the feathers4 ,not greedily--unless she is a greedy hawk1 or too thin--but with a provoking deliberation1 and with intervals that seem interminable4 ,at last the feathers are off2 and the warm food--the best she has ever had--begins to engross more of her real attention4 ,now she is ten times easier to approach4 ,if1 thinks she1 you had been going to claim the quarry for yourself1 surely you would have interfered before this4 ,when she is fairly busy1 you may by degrees get nearer1 but keeping a keen look-out1 and on the least show of alarm retreating quietly1 but quickly4 ,at length you will be able to get your hand1 well garnished with a tempting morsel1 within reach of her4 ,with a troublesome merlin you may employ1 if you are sure of not bungling it1 a very admirable device4 ,you may resort to what may be called the fishing-rod trick4 ,you will take with you into the field two joints of a fishing-rod1 not including the top joint4 ,on the thin end of the thinner of these joints1 which must be stiff and stout1 you will have fitted a brass hook or tooth1 with its sharp point standing out an inch or so at right angles from the rod4 ,this apparatus is sometimes invaluable4 ,you may use one or both joints1 as you find you can get nearer or less near4 ,when you begin to be afraid to go any nearer1 slide the thin end of the rod along the ground as you kneel until it is quite close to the dead quarry4 ,if your hawk has had any decent manning at all1 she will not be alarmed at it1 even if she notices its stealthy approach4 ,having got the point on the lark's body1 steering clear of the hawk's feet1 turn the point downwards on it1 and firmly but gently press it down and in4 ,if you bungle1 and the point slips1 you are probably done2 but if it holds you are safe4 ,proceed then with your making in1 just as if there was no rod in the case4 ,always endeavour to take up the hawk with the hand alone1 retaining your hold by the rod only as a last resort1 in case of mischief4 ,each time that you can take her up without any trouble occurring1 the easier the job will become4 ,and even an attempt to bolt1 which your firm hold with the rod renders unsuccessful1 will tend to convince the evil-doer of the futility of her proceeding4 ,beware particularly of making in if a bagged lark is the victim4 ,with bagged larks1 easily taken1 hawks are always inclined to bolt4 ,on the other hand1 if the lark has flown well1 and the hawk is winded1 there is less to fear4 ,when you have taken up your hawk1 if you intend to fly her again1 contrive that the body of the lark is held in the palm of your hand1 and the neck alone protrudes between the forefinger and the base of the thumb4 ,then1 when the brain has been eaten1 and you have thrown away the beak and as much of the rest of the head as you conveniently can1 let her think1 or try to think1 that there is no more to be had4 ,if1 on the other hand1 you intend to feed her up1 let her eat the rest of the lark1 or almost all1 and1 as she finishes it1 slip on the hood1 and let her pull through the last few mouthfuls4 ,or1 as the remains of the lark may be too bony to pull through easily1 you may substitute a morsel of sheep's heart1 which she can more easily dispose of4 ,a jack which has had half a lark in the morning1 and three or four heads already in the afternoon1 will be generally too much gorged if allowed to take the whole of his last lark4 ,and some female merlins may1 under like circumstances1 be considered to have had enough before they have quite finished their lark4 ,i have generally found that about a three-quarter crop in the evening is as much as it is wise to give4 ,larks should always be flown up-wind2 that is to say1 when they get up to windward1 and not to leeward of the hawk4 ,a down-wind slip is very seldom satisfactory4 ,if the lark is good you see nothing of the flight1 and are dependent on your markers for finding the hawk1 if she kills4 ,the time lost is also often regrettable4 ,it is not likely that with the first lark flown by any trained merlin you will have a kill4 ,only twice1 ,i think1 do ,i remember such a thing to have occurred4 ,but the escape of several larks at first will do you no manner of harm4 ,even if your merlin refuses1 you need not be at all discouraged4 ,one of the most deadly merlins ,i ever had1 when first taken out1 refused seven larks in succession1 and did not kill till her twelfth flight4 ,but after that first kill she never refused again4 ,if a trained hawk persists in refusing1 or leaving the good larks1 in hopes of getting a bad one1 the case is serious4 ,possibly the reason may be that she is out of condition4 ,but if it is her pluck that is wanting1 you cannot expect to make much of her4 ,in any case physic her1 and give her two days' rest4 ,and the next time1 if you can1 fly her in company with a better merlin4 ,if you should lose such a hawk for three or four days1 and then take her up again1 you may take her up cured4 ,but you may take her up confirmed in her bad habit4 ,when ,i took up ,ruy ,lopez1 after three days out in a gale1 he would not fly any but bad larks4 ,if1 in the early days1 your merlin puts in a lark1 mark the place very exactly with your eye4 ,you must consider whether you will drive him out for her or not4 ,if the place is a thick hedge or big bush1 ,i should be inclined not to attempt it4 ,but if it is a place where you have a good chance of a second flight1 as under the side of an isolated rick1 or under a hurdle where there are no sheep1 ,i should gratify the hawk by assisting her in the moment of need1 when you can be so useful to her4 ,if you can see the lark crouching and hiding himself1 do not pick him up with the hand1 but drive him out with your foot or the end of your rod4 ,and do so when the hawk1 from the top of the hurdle1 or rick1 or wherever she has taken perch1 is looking the right way4 ,a kill on such occasions will encourage her to wait on another occasion till you can help her in the same way4 ,the form shown by a lark that has been put in and routed out is generally not so good as before he put in4 ,but there are many exceptions4 ,a lark got up in the open down before ,eva1 probably the best hawk ,i ever had4 ,but before she could get to him1 he fell without a blow1 right in the open4 ,eva was then young1 and rather fat1 and wanted a hard flight1 so ,i was in two minds whether ,i would not leave this weak-spirited lark1 and go on and find a better one4 ,either the lark got up of his own accord before ,i had decided1 or else ,i resolved to fly him2 anyhow1 when he started for the second time he went right up into the sky4 ,there was a ringing flight of immense height2 and after a great many stoops the lark was bested1 and came down into a field where there were stooks of wheat4 ,eva sat on the top of a stook with her mouth open2 the lark underneath1 doubtless in no better plight4 ,i might have walked miles and not found a lark which afforded me so much sport1 and the hawk such a lung-opener4 ,the first time your merlin puts in a lark1 do not take her on your fist1 unless she goes away from the spot4 ,let her take perch close at hand4 ,be very careful indeed to drive out the fugitive towards her1 so that she sees it go away4 ,by this means she will see that there is no deception2 that it is really the same lark2 and that you have done her the service to rout it out4 ,but on subsequent occasions it is best always to call the hawk to the fist before you put up the quarry4 ,otherwise he may very possibly go off when she is not looking1 especially if the hawk is on the ground1 as she will be if the lark has put in to a tuft of grass1 or in clover1 or1 as they will when hard pressed1 in stubbles4 propos of putting in1 remember always that the country for lark-hawking must be1 if you are to have good flights1 even more open than that necessary for rooks4 ,it requires so small a shelter to conceal a lark4 ,even the high grass which often fringes a road across the downs1 a patch of nettles or thistles1 an old stone wall1 or a waggon1 will tempt a faint-hearted ringer to come down4 ,he comes down to almost certain death2 for the man is there1 in alliance with the hawk4 ,but the ringing flight is spoilt2 and that is what you do not want to occur4 ,the better the hawk1 the more ready the lark is to put in4 ,so that the mere length of flight does not prove much as to the excellence either of pursuer or pursued1 unless you know from experience what is the ability of the former4 ,larks1 for hawking purposes1 may be divided into three kinds4 ,first there is the ground lark--generally deep in moult--who does not mount at all1 but makes off as hard as he can fly towards the nearest place where he thinks he can save himself4 ,these larks are sometimes pretty fast1 and take a good deal of catching1 dodging the stoops by shifting to right or left1 and sometimes avoiding a good many4 ,but more often1 especially in an enclosed country1 they are wretched creatures1 taken easily by a fast hawk1 either in the air or by being driven into insufficient cover4 ,these are the sort of larks that beginners are sometimes very proud of killing4 ,the true falconer detests them as a sad nuisance4 ,it is true that when they are fast and clever1 they improve the hawk's footing powers1 and give her a sharp burst of hard flying4 ,such a flight serves as a short gallop at full speed does to a horse in training4 ,but from the sporting point of view it is objectionable4 ,fortunately1 on the open down1 it is not common4 ,secondly1 there are the mounting larks1 which go up and try to keep the air4 ,the original ambition of these larks is to fairly out-fly the hawk1 and never let her get above them4 ,but at moulting-time they can seldom hope to accomplish this if the hawk is a fast one in really good condition4 ,sometimes1 going wide of them1 and making an upper-cut1 she will bind to them at the first shot4 ,but this is rare4 ,generally there are several stoops2 and the whole business very accurately resembles a coursing match4 ,the stoops are made from all sorts of distances1--short and long1 upwards and downwards1 with the wind and against it4 ,i have seen a stoop by a trained merlin--a jack1 rather--which was #cjj yds4 long1 measured along the ground1 to which must be added something for the height4 ,very often1 when the lark has escaped one stoop by a hair's-breadth1 and feels a conviction that next time he will not escape at all1 he drops headlong towards a place of supposed shelter1 with the hawk close at his heels4 ,the harder he is pressed1 the more indifferent will be the hiding-place with which he is fain to be content4 ,before a first-rate hawk he will go to a bare hurdle1 a flat-sided rick1 or a tuft of grass1 whereas if he has less trouble in shifting1 he will pass over all these attractions1 and continue to throw out the pursuer--though with exhausting efforts--till he can get to a thick hedge or a substantial spinny4 ,with this kind of lark you may have more flights1 more running1 and more excitement with a moderate merlin than with those of the very first quality4 ,the latter are a bit too good for the work1 and make the flight too short4 ,strangers who come out hawking and see a mounting lark so taken1 are apt to say3 ,what a bad lark to be caught so soon6 ,it is often not the badness of the lark1 but the goodness of the hawk1 which makes short work of the flight4 ,the mounting lark would always be a ringer if the hawk was not fast enough to get above him quickly4 ,the third sort of lark is the veritable ringer4 ,with the start he has1 he keeps ahead of the hawk1 climbing up in spiral circles4 ,why not in a straight line8 ,i believe no one can tell the reason4 ,possibly he finds that he can get on more pace by having the wind now in front1 now at the back1 and between whiles at the side4 ,the curious thing is that the hawk adopts the same tactics4 ,the one bird may be circling from right to left1 and the other in the contrary direction4 ,neither seems to guide the direction of his rings by any reference to those which the other is making4 ,it is now a struggle which can get up the fastest4 ,and it is astonishing to what a height such flights will sometimes go4 ,not in a bad country2 for there there will always be cover available after the quarry has gone up a little way4 ,and he will not be such a fool as to stand the racket of a shot in the air1 when by dropping into a stout hedge or plantation he can make sure of his escape4 ,as soon as a lark is #hjj ft4 high1 he can drop1 almost like a stone1 into any covert within a radius of #bjj yds4 from the spot just under him--allowance being made1 of course1 for the effect of wind4 ,but #hjj ft4 is not high for a ringing flight4 ,at least there is nothing at all unusual in it4 ,a lark does not go out of sight until he is much above that height2 and it is no extraordinary thing for him to do this4 ,i have heard it said that merlins go up after larks till they are themselves lost to sight4 ,but it is very seldom that any man is directly below the hawk at the time when she is highest4 ,i know one case1 however1 in which a jack-merlin came right over the markers as they were running down-wind1 more than half a mile from the start4 ,he must have been very nearly over their heads when he went up out of their sight4 ,but that hawk was never seen again4 ,it is1 of course1 quite possible that such a thing should occur4 ,but ,i have never seen any country in ,england where it is at all likely4 ,for from such a height--nearly half a mile high--there would always be a safe place into which the quarry might drop4 ,and if hard pressed1 he would do so4 ,when a lark keeps up as long as this1 it is generally because he knows that he is the better man of the two4 ,and before that time the hawk will also have found this out4 ,larks are in moult from the beginning of ,august1 which is the earliest time that an eyess merlin can fly1 till the middle of ,september--in some years till nearly the end4 ,during this time1 easy ones will mostly be found in the stubbles from which the corn has just been carried4 ,stronger and older larks may be found on the open down1 but not in any great numbers4 ,in years of drought1 many will get to the fields where roots are growing4 ,at these moulting larks1 a merlin may be flown six or eight times in an afternoon4 ,but what was said in the chapter on ,game-,hawking about leaving off with a hard flight and a kill1 is still more applicable to merlins than peregrines4 ,these little hawks can in addition be flown in the early morning4 ,but though ,i have done this occasionally1 ,i doubt its being a good practice1 and should prefer1 if the weather is settled1 to give stooping at the lure before breakfast1 and wait till past midday for the field4 ,but when the weather is bad you must go out when you can4 ,the biggest score that ,i know to have been made in a day1 flying both morning and evening1 is ten1 which ,colonel ,sanford killed with one of his merlins4 ,i have myself killed ten in a day with a single hawk2 but one of them was taken by her in a double flight1 and therefore counts only for a half4 ,each of these hawks was a specially good-tempered and well-mannered hawk4 ,for any merlin to take six larks single-handed in one day is a decided feat4 ,the most ,i have known to be killed in any one year by a merlin single-handed is #ajf1 the score of ,jubilee in #ahig2 and the highest average ,i have known made is fifty-nine out of sixty-five flights--a percentage of more than #ij per cent4 ,this was achieved by the merlin ,sis1 which made the extraordinary score of forty-one out of forty-two successive flights1 the one miss being a ringer at which she was thrown off when the head of another lark was hardly down her throat--before she had shaken herself1 or had time to look round4 ,as soon as the larks have moulted1 they become practically all ringers4 ,such larks have never yet been taken regularly4 ,usually the merlins begin to refuse them in the latter part of ,september4 ,the latest lark ,i have killed was on a #gth of ,november4 ,to take winter larks it would be necessary to have a cast of very first-rate merlins1 which had never1 upon any pretext1 left a moulting lark4 ,with these it is possible that a few might be taken2 but after very long flights4 ,and what of the unsuccessful flights8 ,they would go so far that ,i fear the hawks must certainly be lost4 ,a merlin which is good enough to take even one moulted lark is good enough to find her living anywhere2 and ,i doubt if she would trouble to come back after a long unsuccessful flight for any reason1 sentimental or otherwise6 ,double flights at larks are very pretty1 and also very deadly4 ,if you throw off together one merlin which mounts quickly1 and another which is a good footer1 you will rarely be beaten during the moulting season2 and when you do meet with a first-rate ringer1 will see as real a bit of sport as man can imagine4 ,occasionally you may have a double flight without intending to do so4 ,eva had made two stoops at a very high ringer1 and brought him down some yards1 when a wild female merlin joined in4 ,stoop for stoop they alternatively played their strokes1 as if they had been trained together4 ,after some twenty of these alternative shots1 the lark was taken1 high in the air4 ,but not until we picked up ,eva on the dead lark1 half a mile away1 did anyone in the field know whether it was she or the wild hawk that had made the fatal stoop4 ,in other years ,i have had many joint flights in the same way2 and on one occasion two wild merlins joined forces with a trained one1 and the lark ran the gauntlet for quite a long time of the three chance allies4 ,i confess1 however1 that there are objections to the double flight with merlins4 ,it may be from stupidity1 but ,i have never been able to keep the peace between the partners4 ,after the take1 but before you can possibly get up1 there is a scrimmage on the ground1 even if there has not been a chevy in the air1 which is not only undignified1 but also most trying to the temper of the hawk which has footed the lark4 ,of course when you do come up you can separate the combatants1 and reward the one which has been worsted in the squabble4 ,but in the meantime1 how much mischief may have been done to the feathers8 ,in heron-hawking1 where two falcons are always flown1 the empty-handed one is taken down to the pigeon1 and1 with good management1 she accepts the situation pretty cheerfully4 ,but merlins in high condition are exceedingly hot-tempered1 and often violent4 ,no doubt the double flight can be accomplished with them by the aid of patience and tact4 ,mr4 ,freeman was able to fly his merlins well in casts4 ,and it is only with a cast that winter larks could be attempted4 ,any falconer who could succeed in taking them right through the winter would have accomplished a greater feat than that of which ,louis ,,xiii4 was so proud4 ,,chapter ,x ,gulls1 ,heron1 ,kite1 ,duck1 etc4 ,the flight at gulls is so similar to that at rooks1 although much more difficult1 that ,i should be tempted to say no more concerning it1 were it not that ,i have been favoured by ,mr4 ,st4 ,quintin1 who is the great authority on the subject1 with some most interesting details of this sport4 ,there can be no doubt1 ,i think1 that of all flights in which peregrines can now be flown out of the hood in ,england1 gull-hawking is the best4 ,it requires a cast of hawks2 and these must be of special excellence1 and in the height of condition1 if any success is hoped for4 ,tiercels may be used as well as falcons2 eyesses as well as passagers2 but of course the probabilities of success are less with the smaller and less-experienced hawks4 ,in the case of the herring-gull1 indeed1 the quarry falls so heavily1 when taken1 that a small hawk is apt to be badly shaken1 and may thus become disgusted with the whole business4 ,of the three kinds of gull1 the largest1 the herring-gull1 is also the least difficult to take4 ,he makes something of a fight of it on the ground when taken1 and can1 of course1 bite hard if the hawk gives him a chance4 ,next to him in order of difficulty comes the common gull2 and last in order is the black-headed gull1 which will hardly be vanquished except by a cast of very first-rate hawks1 and then on a calm day4 ,all gulls have a great advantage when the wind is high1 and usually escape1 so that it is best not to fly them at such times1 for fear of discouraging the hawk4 ,peregrines must be entered at bagged gulls1 and fed after a kill on pigeon1 or some very palatable food4 ,it is also very advisable to use a make-hawk when available4 ,on a very still day it is possible that a single hawk in good practice might take a common gull at the first stoop1 if she had a good start2 but if that failed1 the quarry would most likely escape4 ,the best idea of gull-hawking will be given from a few quotations from the diary of ,mr4 ,st4 ,quintin1 who considers it a very good day's work to kill two such quarry4 ,on one occasion an old tiercel1 ,destiny 7who was flown for no less than eight seasons71 was taken out with a very fast eyess tiercel called ,kismet4 ,thrown off at a gull on passage1 that is to say1 passing on the wing1 the hawks rattled off high in pursuit1 when a flock of starlings got up under them1 and ,destiny1 turning over1 picked up one1 while ,kismet1 getting above the gull1 killed him at the first stoop4 ,later on ,kismet was flown single-handed at a flock of gulls with a long slip1 and again managed to kill with his first stoop4 ,destiny was also slipped single at a gull1 but1 after putting in stoop after stoop for at least three-quarters of a mile1 was fairly beaten1 the quarry apparently reaching the river ,derwent4 ,as the party hurried after him he came back quite flown out1 and was1 of course1 not flown again that day4 ,these hawks were at the time in first-rate condition4 ,another year1 ,gulliver1 a very fast eyess tiercel1 belonging to the ,old ,hawking ,club1 was taken out to be flown with ,starlight1 who had more experience and was a very high flier4 ,the gulls were spread along a long furrow1 and the two hawks went for different ones4 ,after ,gulliver had fetched his quarry and put in two stoops1 ,starlight1 leaving his gull1 came to the assistance of the other hawk1 and went at the quarry with a smashing stoop4 ,this1 however1 the gull avoided2 and a long bout of good stooping followed1 the eyess sticking to the work pluckily1 but showing signs of fatigue1 while the other hawk mounted high for a decisive shot4 ,this1 however1 also failed1 and the gull1 showing once more above both hawks1 went off scathless1 leaving them both with bellows to mend4 ,destiny and ,kismet on another occasion were thrown off together at a mixed flock of gulls4 ,they again divided1 ,kismet singling out a very large but immature herring-gull1 which he hit hard several times1 and finally brought down almost on his owner's head1 while ,destiny took after a common gull1 and killed him three-quarters of a mile down-wind4 ,in the winter of #ahhi-ij ,mr4 ,st4 ,quintin was so successful as to take forty-three gulls in seventy-seven flights4 ,heron-hawking is a subject which1 as far as ,england is concerned1 belongs rather to history than to practical falconry4 ,a great deal of nonsense1 as well as a good deal of truth1 has been written about it1 but those who feel interested must be referred to the excellent account given in the work1 already referred to1 by ,schlegel and ,wulverhorst1 of the proceedings of the ,loo ,club in ,holland4#c ,i have talked with ,mr4 ,adrian ,mllen1 the falconer of that club1 and heard from him that the sport differed in no respect from rook-hawking1 except that the heron was always flown on passage1 when already high in the air1 and that two passage falcons were flown together4 ,he told me that he had very seldom found any real difficulty in entering a passage falcon1 and never lost one of his own training by any accident except once1 when the mischief arose in a strange way4 ,the hawks were mounting1 when the heron disgorged a good-sized fish4 ,at this one of his falcons stooped as it fell1 took it1 and made off to an inaccessible place1 where she devoured almost the whole of it1 and afterwards died of indigestion4 ,in ,india heron-hawking is still practised1 but there is not the same enthusiasm about it as there was in ,europe some centuries ago1 or in the days of the ,loo ,club4 #c ,this famous society was started by the ,duke of ,leeds and ,mr4 ,newcome1 with the assistance of the ,dutch falconer ,bots1 and had as its president ,prince ,alexander of the ,netherlands4 ,in #ahdc1 with forty falcons it took about two hundred herons1 almost all of which were released with rings round their legs4 ,a much more favourite and exciting sport in ,india and other parts of ,asia is the flight at kites4 ,in ,england the fork-tailed kite was flown from very early times1 and it is not a century ago since one afforded a flight six miles in length in the ,eastern ,counties4 ,for this very fine flier gers were commonly used in the ,middle ,ages2 and the kite was enticed within range by turning out an owl with a fox's brush tied to its feet4 ,in ,india the ,brahminy kite and the brown kite are both very common1 and are taken with sakers1 as well as peregrines1 and occasionally by shaheens4 ,i hear that eyess sakers are preferred1 and that they are never allowed to fly any other quarry until they are slipped first at bagged kites4 ,it is also necessary to make sure that the hawk shall never taste the flesh of the kite when taken2 as if once this has occurred the saker is useless ever afterwards for this quarry4 ,it appears1 however1 that not many sakers are good enough to take the kite1 even when physicked and flown two together2 and when they have been made to it they command a very high price4 ,we must also now go to foreign countries1 and especially to ,india1 to see duck-hawking1 which was formerly so favourite a sport in the ,british ,islands4 ,duck are not now plentiful enough in ,england to induce one to keep a hawk for them alone1 although occasionally one is taken by a game-hawk during the season4 ,hawking at the brook1 as it was called1 was conducted on very much the same principles as game-hawking in our own times4 ,the hawk was thrown off and waited on at a high pitch1 while the duck were put up by water-spaniels working in the water in concert with beaters on the bank4 ,much pains were taken to drive the quarry in the right direction4 ,the first stoop would of course be the most dangerous to the rising duck1 and if he avoided this1 there would often be a fine chase1 as the duck1 when once fairly on the wing1 is very swift1 and severely taxes the powers of the best peregrine4 ,peregrines are very keen after this quarry1 and indeed in some countries are commonly known by the local name of duck-hawks4 ,in ,india the peregrine and the shaheens are both used for this flight1 which is highly esteemed1 and1 no doubt1 quite as good as grouse-hawking4 ,it is certain that it was also a favourite sport in ,china and ,japan1 where it may still be had by any adventurous sportsman who travels so far4 ,a very lively and amusing flight is that at the magpie1 which was largely practised in ,ireland until the middle of the nineteenth century1 and is still occasionally to be seen4 ,it partakes of the two characters of sport described in ,chapters ,,vii4 and ,,viii4 ,in fact1 just as the magpie is a parti-coloured bird1 neither all black nor all white1 so the pursuit of him is neither wholly by flying from the fist nor wholly from the pitch1 but by a combination of the two4 ,the magpie is seldom to be found in very open country4 ,you must therefore get at him as you best can4 ,a cast of hawks is flown2 and often it is an even chance that their wide-awake quarry will get off to some shelter before either hawk has even had one shot at him4 ,then both hawks will wait on1 when they have become au fait at the game1 so as best to cut off his retreat to another covert4 ,the falconer meanwhile has to use his best exertions to dislodge the fugitive from his place of rest4 ,he should be assisted by a large field1 which must hurry up with all speed to the spot1 and by every imaginable device endeavour to rout out the quarry4 ,sticks and stones are discharged4 ,hunting-whips are cracked4 ,pistol-shots are even brought into requisition1 and boys are deputed to climb the trees4 ,the tiercels--for tiercels are most commonly used for this flight--wait on knowingly in advantageous places1--one sometimes close to the covert1 ready for a sharp1 quick stoop2 and the other at a higher pitch1 hoping for a long shot4 ,the magpie is not a fast flier2 but he uses his head as well as his wings1 and is ready whenever a chance occurs to get back to covert4 ,the beaters have often more to do than the hawks1 with shouting1 running1 pelting1 and contriving by their joint efforts to make the fugitive take to the open1 where one of the hawks can get a fair shot at him4 ,but the latter must be staunch at waiting on1 good footers1 and quick to take advantage of the efforts made by their friends below4 ,there is not much in this business of what may be called the nobility of the noble sport1--none of the long dashing stoops out of the clouds which you see in grouse-hawking1 or of the laborious mounting and ringing which you had with the gull or rook4 ,it rather resembles the hedge-row driving described later on in the chapter on ,sparrow-,hawks4 ,but for those who like bustle and excitement1 and hard exercise for the legs and voice1 few things will beat magpie-hawking4 ,and few things will demonstrate more clearly the marvellous adaptability of the peregrine to the exigencies of the case4 ,a wild hawk would have no chance with a magpie1 unless he caught him unawares1 crossing from one bush or plantation to another4 ,but the trained hawk1 knowing that the men are working with him1 joins his efforts with a good will to theirs1 and does exactly that which you want him to do1 and which it is best for him to do4 ,as an example of co-operation between man and hawk1 a magpie-worry is not to be excelled4 ,neither of the actors in the scene is any good without the other2 and if either fails to do the right thing at the right moment1 the whole play is spoiled1 and both players disgusted4 ,tiercels1 well assisted1 and well worked at their quarry1 make very good bags4 ,mr4 ,st4 ,quintin and ,colonel ,brooksbank1 with two tiercels1 ,meteor and ,buccaneer1 killed forty-five in one campaign2 and several other capital scores have been made within recent years4 ,the green plover is such a common bird1 and so easily found in open ground1 that it is a pity1 in one sense1 that he cannot be flown4 ,the unlearned may ask1 ,why not8 ,the answer is1 ,because no hawk is good enough to take him4 ,by which ,i do not mean that no peewit is ever taken by a peregrine4 ,the wild peregrines take them not unfrequently2 and trained ones have now and then succeeded in cutting one down4 ,but the attempt to make trained hawks take them regularly1 or even fly them for any length of time1 has always failed4 ,john ,barr1 amongst others1 trained some picked tiercels specially for this quarry4 ,when ,i saw him some time after he had made this experiment1 he assured me that to kill peewits with trained hawks was impossible4 ,of course plovers of all kinds are not more exempt than other creatures from the ills that flesh is heir to4 ,in fact1 to judge from the tone of their cry1 and considering the way they have of sitting in wet feet without changing their stockings1 it may be supposed that they are often out of sorts4 ,sometimes1 doubtless1 like other birds1 they are infirm and old4 ,when labouring under any such disadvantage1 even if it be only rheumatism or a cold in the head1 a chance peewit may be cut off and reckoned in the hawk's score4 ,otherwise these birds are too clever for even the best trained hawks4 ,i have seen even bagged peewits make such a complete fool of a falcon that she was ashamed of herself4 ,they did not exactly fly round the hawk1 as the saying is1 but they did almost as much4 ,they made rings underneath her as she was ringing up1 keeping in exactly that position where she could never get her head towards them at all4 ,then if the hawk did manage to put in a stoop they would face about so as to avoid the shot1 and1 with a great flop of one wing1 start away like phantoms in an unexpected direction4 ,if the hawk contrived to get at them from behind1 they would take a sort of header downwards1 and1 making a kind of somersault in the air1 come up behind the hawk with a manifest smile on their usually daft countenances4 ,on the downs in ,wilts and ,berks you will sometimes see a rook-hawk1 or1 for that matter1 a game-hawk1 when coming back from an unsuccessful flight1 make a dash at a lapwing as he flounders about below4 ,but the creature generally shifts from the stoop with almost contemptuous ease4 ,only in rare cases is he too slow4 ,mr4 ,e4 ,c4 ,pinckney once took a lapwing with a very young eyess tiercel2 that is1 the hawk put him in after a good flight1 and he was picked up4 ,but ,i do not think that tiercel ever took another4 ,there is therefore a chance for anyone who wants to beat the record in the matter of plover-hawking4 ,with two very first-rate passage tiercels1 or perhaps1 better still1 two shaheens1 the attempt might be made again4 ,whoever succeeded would thereby have carved for himself a prominent niche in the falconer's temple of fame4 ,the ,norfolk plover may be taken with a falcon or tiercel1 generally without great difficulty4 ,golden plovers would1 ,i think1 always escape1 unless they could be put up just under a hawk waiting on4 ,curlews and several of the common sea-fowl might also be taken1 if found at a sufficient distance from the sea4 ,the wild goose was formerly flown with success in ,england by gers4 ,landrails1 if they can be got to rise1 will1 of course1 fall an easy prey1 and quail can also be taken1 though the sparrow-hawk or the merlin is the right hawk for them4 ,they are fast1 but do not shift well4 ,the jackdaw is faster than the rook1 and a better shifter4 ,he is sometimes killed by a rook-hawk1 and may afford a very good flight4 ,pheasants1 of course1 will be caught by a falcon when they get up in open ground4 ,colonel ,sanford knocked down a full-grown pheasant with a tiercel2 but the little hawk could not hold him on the ground4 ,woodcocks have been flown with a great deal of success in comparatively recent times1 and have shown very excellent sport1 requiring quite a first-rate peregrine to take them well1 and that usually after a long and often high flight4 ,between #ahbc and #ahcc ,mr4 ,john ,sinclair flew woodcocks regularly in ,scotland1 and captured in one season as many as fifty-seven with a falcon4 ,before this the ,renfrewshire ,subscription ,club did good execution with the quarry1 and ,colonel ,thornton also had some splendid flights4 ,sir ,thomas ,brown 7cited by ,harting1 ,bibl4 ,acc4 p4 #bg7 says that a hawk1 probably a peregrine1 made a flight at a woodcock nearly thirty miles in one hour4 ,the mention of so long a time suggests the inference that the quarry put in several times1 and was routed out4 ,a famous account is extant in print of a woodcock very well killed after an unusually high flight by one of ,major ,fisher's peregrines4 ,snipe are occasionally taken by peregrines that happen to be waiting on when they rise4 ,the first stoop is1 of course1 dangerous for the snipe1 but if he eludes that1 a cast of the best tiercels will hardly catch him4 ,i have seen a female shaheen hawking at snipe for her own pleasure1 and saw her knock one down very close to me in the long grass1 but she could not find it4 ,waiting for me to serve her1 she remained for a while very near over my head1 and even took a dead snipe which ,i threw up for her1 but finding it cold dropped it after a yard or two's flying4 ,mr4 ,st4 ,quintin once flew a snipe hard with a good game-tiercel of his1 which bested it in the air1 but it got off by means of continually putting in to a deep ditch4 ,many other birds are taken occasionally by peregrines when they get up under the hawk1 either while waiting on or coming back from an unsuccessful flight4 ,i saw a male kestrel taken in this way--and very easily too--by an eyess game-tiercel of ,major ,fisher's4 ,larks1 too1 are now and then taken when the dog stands to them1 and they are put up4 ,major ,fisher had a long flight once with a peregrine at a wild merlin1 which was very hard pressed1 and at last put in to a thick hedge4 ,in some ,oriental countries peregrines are commonly flown at hares2 but the sport is not one which would ever be popular in highly civilised countries1 for the falcon1 or falcons1 do not bind to the animal like a goshawk4 ,they deliver repeated stoops at the head of the unfortunate creature1 which is1 of course1 no match for them in speed1 and thereby in the long-run deprive it of what little wits it had to start with4 ,in course of time this repeated buffeting reduces it to a state of utter bewilderment and exhaustion1 so that it can be held by the falcons1 or seized by the dogs which sometimes follow the flight as their allies4 ,in ,england1 of course1 a hare may be put up by accident1 and a falcon1 waiting on1 may stoop at it instinctively4 ,parachute1 the very excellent eyess falcon already named1 killed three hares in #ahhb4 ,at one of these she was flown intentionally1 to show what she could do with him4 ,she kept striking him on the head till he was so exhausted that she thought she could safely catch hold4 ,but when she did so a rough-and-tumble occurred1 as it will in hawking with the goshawk2 and before it was ended1 the very steady setter which was out thought it time to run in and give the coup de grce4 ,these were all ,scotch hares2 and the last-mentioned of them weighed a full #f lb4 ,,chapter ,,xi ,the ,goshawk ,no distinction was made when we were talking about hack and the manning of hawks between the different species to which they happen to belong4 ,nor is it necessary to insist much upon the distinction even down to the time when they have been reclaimed and are on the point of being entered4 ,but whereas all those which we have been considering are hawks of the lure1 we have seen that the short-winged hawks1 which remain now to be dealt with1 are hawks of the fist4 ,let us see what modifications must be made in the system of training when it is the latter that we are preparing for the field4 ,in the first place1 some authorities question altogether the utility of hack for eyess goshawks or sparrow-hawks4 ,others maintain that it is quite sufficient to let them loose in a shed or empty room until their feathers are strong4 ,this latter plan seems a very poor sort of compromise between hack and no hack4 ,the eyesses so turned loose get no real liberty1 and nothing at all like the amount of exercise which they would if they were in the open4 ,yet as compensation for what they thus lose they get no advantage that one can easily understand4 ,without pretending to decide the point in question1 ,i may perhaps venture to say that any hawk's muscles and eyes1 as well as her general health1 are more likely to be improved by a free life in the open air than in a sort of big cage4 ,if they are not hacked at all they may of course be very early made to the fist and the hood1 and will be manned and in flying order much quicker than hack hawks4 ,whether this will be of advantage or not1 circumstances alone can decide2 but a short-winged hawk can generally be allowed a fairly long hack1 and yet be ready for her trainer's use as soon as the latter requires her services4 ,of course it is not safe if there are other hawks out at hack to let goshawks out anywhere in the vicinity2 and ,i should be very doubtful about the expediency of hacking sparrow-hawks in the same place as merlins or kestrels4 ,in fact it is not safe even to peg out a goshawk in any place where hack merlins can come4 ,i remember an unfortunate jack--the smallest ,i ever saw--to whom his owner had given the not very classical name of ,jones4 ,this hawk was out at hack in a rather promiscuous way1 killing sparrows for himself occasionally1 and at other times coming to the lure4 ,i think he knew we laughed at him1 and thought that life in general was a sort of joke4 ,but one day the fancy seized him to go and fraternise with a big young goshawk which was out on her bow-perch1 duly secured by the leash4 ,the owner was absent at the time2 and when he returned there was nothing left of poor ,jones other than the feet and a sad litter of pretty brown and white feathers round about the bow-perch4 ,when your short-winged hawk has been taken up from hack1 or at anyrate when she is to be taken in hand1 her trainer must set to work very seriously and very promptly at the business of reclamation4 ,this is not1 it is true1 different at first in character from that required for the long-winged hawks4 ,but it is often different in degree2 for personal attention and almost perpetual care are a necessity4 ,unless you can contrive to have her waked1 you will have a tough job with her4 ,anyhow1 she must be carried almost all day4 ,whether eyess or wild-caught1 she should be treated very much like a haggard peregrine4 ,almost superhuman efforts will be required in some cases before she can be manned2 yet manned she must be1 and that more thoroughly than a long-winged hawk1 before you can hope to do much with her4 ,it required a ,sir ,john ,sebright to kill a partridge with a sparrow-hawk ten days after she was caught2 and it would be still more difficult to kill a blackbird in that time4 ,that is1 at least1 to first kill it1 and then take up the hawk6 ,for carrying is a vice to which the short-winged are naturally disposed1 though they are not so bad in this respect as merlins or hobbies4 ,in manning a short-winged hawk it will generally be found better to work very hard for a few days than to work only moderately hard for a much longer time4 ,in fact1 a less amount of attention1 if concentrated upon the pupil at first1 will do more than a much greater share applied to her in smaller doses4 ,it is not usual to hood sparrow-hawks much after the time when they are being reclaimed4 ,but they should be kept1 like all other hawks1 accustomed to being hooded1 and not by any means allowed to become hood-shy4 ,and while the business of reclamation lasts it is a good plan to tie the tail4 ,this is done by making a half-knot round the shaft of the outer feather1 nearly half-way down1 passing the ends over and under the tail1 and making a double knot of them on the shaft of the outer feather on the other side4 ,when the hawk bathes the thread is nearly sure to come off2 and when she is dry you can put on another4 ,if it stays on1 no harm is done4 ,this simple device ensures the tail feathers against any accident which might otherwise occur while she is being handled by the trainer1 and perhaps by more or less incompetent assistants4 ,later on it will be tried hard enough6 ,some falconers--and good ones1 too--despair of saving it for long2 but you need not sacrifice it sooner than you have any real occasion4 ,the tail is just as much--or as little--use to the hawk while she is being manned--or1 for that matter1 when she is flying to the fist--whether it is tied up or not2 and in the former state it can come to no harm4 ,let the hawk at least take her first quarry with undamaged feathers4 ,a moderate degree of coping will be found permissible for short-winged hawks1 although it is hardly orthodox to say so4 ,no doubt blunt claws would be detrimental to these hawks in the field2 but between bluntness and the needle-like sharpness of the uncoped claw there is a world of difference4 ,the uncoped goshawk not only ruins the best glove in double-quick time1 but sometimes in starting from the fist does not completely disengage all eight needles immediately from the buckskin1 and so is impeded1 and flurried1 and vexed in that short temper of her own4 ,the strength of a goshawk's beak and feet is almost incredible2 and1 this being so1 it is well to be provided with good store of useful tirings4 ,heads and necks of fowls will be acceptable2 and the more elderly and bony these creatures are the better for the purpose4 ,for during the long process of carrying you will want to give your goshawk plenty of hard morsels to pull at2 and none but the toughest will withstand for long the attacks of her sharp-pointed beak4 ,the frequent discussion of bony tirings will wear down that sharpness a little1 but ,i think not quite enough4 ,goshawks should not be allowed to get at all thin1 far less weak2 on the other hand1 they should not be too freely fed4 ,half a crop a day of beef or good fowl1 or a little more of rabbit1 is a very fair allowance1 if she has once a week1 or rather oftener1 a good gorge1 with plenty of castings1 and the next day very short commons4 ,as soon and as much as possible she must be made to work for her food4 ,that is1 she must earn it by showing every day some improvement in her behaviour4 ,if yesterday she bated off twenty times in ten minutes1 you may call it an improvement to-day if she bates off only ten times in the same space of time4 ,so when she has walked even two inches for her food1 it is an improvement when she will walk four or five4 ,step by step you must coax her to do more for you1 rewarding her the moment she has given way4 ,and all the time you must be making friends with her4 ,stroking with the stick or a feather is always to be recommended4 ,but you must be able also to stroke her with your hand as you like without any remonstrance or fear on her part4 ,it is a troublesome job1 do what you will1 the manning of a short-winged hawk4 ,but the harder you work1 and the more patience you can exhibit1 the better and quicker you will succeed4 ,it is best to be content at first if very slow progress is made4 ,in the later stages1 if you make no mistake1 there will be days of much quicker improvement1 such as may even sometimes surprise your too desponding mind4 ,thus though it may be days before you can get her to exchange her walk to the fist for a jump1 yet this feat once accomplished1 you may have quite a short time to wait before she flies to you the length of the room4 ,on the other hand1 a hawk which has come well to you indoors will perhaps not come a foot1 or even look at you1 when first called off in the open air4 ,of course for all the early out-door lessons the hawk will be secured by a creance4 ,it is well even to be a little extra-cautious in dispensing with this safeguard1 for if a goshawk when only half trained does once make off1 it is rather a chance if you ever come up with her again4 ,in time your goshawk will be manned1 and at least partly reclaimed4 ,she will look gladly on you when you come near1 and jump or fly to you on small encouragement for a small reward4 ,if you tease her with a morsel of meat1 she will perhaps make that quaint crowing sound which sounds like a mild protest against your hard-heartedness4 ,when you hold out your fist temptingly with a nice piece of food in it1 she will fly fifty yards to you at once4 ,if now you have carried her sufficiently throughout the process of reclaiming1 she will not need much to bring her into yarak2 that is1 into a state of eagerness for killing quarry4 ,a small dose of purgative medicine may be given1 and after twelve hours' fast1 a small feed of very good food1 without any castings1 and on the next day she may be entered4 ,female goshawks are now usually trained chiefly for hares or rabbits4 ,males should always be tried first at partridges or pheasants2 and if they are not good enough for such quarry1 may be degraded to water-hens and the like4 ,the bagged quarry for entering should1 in the one case1 be a rabbit1 and in the other1 a partridge or house-pigeon4 ,when a rabbit is used1 a short1 tough cane may be attached crosswise to the end of a very short creance1 which will serve to prevent the quarry from disappearing bodily down a burrow4 ,the partridge or pigeon should not1 of course1 be a first-rate flier2 or1 at least1 he may have a longer creance to carry4 ,let the hawk take her pleasure on the first live quarry killed2 and next day give a very light feed1 not later than noon4 ,on the third day she may be flown either at a better bagged quarry or at a wild one4 ,she should have a very good start for her first real flight1 and in a country free from burrows or impenetrable covert4 ,then1 if she only starts1 she ought to kill in the case of a rabbit4 ,nothing is more bloodthirsty than a young goshawk in yarak2 nor1 in proportion to its size1 has so much strength in its grasp4 ,when once the four long daggers with which each of her feet is armed are imbedded in the head or neck of a rabbit or leveret1 it is generally all up with that unlucky beast4 ,he may jump and kick and roll over in his frantic efforts to escape4 ,he may by the latter tactics force the hawk to let go for a time1 though this is by no means always the result even of a complete somersault4 ,but if the grip is thrown off1 the respite is short4 ,before the quarry can make use of what wits are left to him1 the pursuer is on him again--this time probably with a still firmer hold than before4 ,though a rabbit is fast for a quadruped1 and the goshawk slow for a hawk1 yet the advantage in pace is always with the latter2 and though she may be thrown out again and again by the doubles of the quarry1 yet in an open space speed must tell1 if the pursuer is in condition4 ,nevertheless1 as it is often difficult and sometimes impossible to find rabbits in open places1 it is advisable to let the first flight for your beginner be as easy as you can4 ,when she has taken an undersized rabbit or leveret1 she may be advanced to a full-grown rabbit1 and thence1 after a few kills1 to a full-grown hare1 if your ambition is to fly hares4 ,very possibly it may be necessary to throw her off at the quarry and not expect her to start of her own accord4 ,she may also refuse more than once1 and yet be in the mind--that capricious and wayward mind of hers--to fly4 ,i have seen a young goshawk1 only just trained1 taken out and thrown off at three or four hares in inviting places1 and have seen her refuse them all2 and yet1 ten minutes later1 ,i have seen her go at one like a whirlwind1 and have it down and helpless within sixty yards from the start4 ,the flight at hares rather overtaxes the powers of any except the strongest female goshawks2 and many people think that the flight at rabbits is preferable1 even in the quality of sport afforded4 ,in fact1 the difference between the two is not so much one of speed as of brute strength2 and in quickness the rabbit will be found generally superior4 ,a goshawk which will take hares is the more valuable2 but it is doubtful if she shows any better sport4 ,gaiety ,girl1 whose portrait is given1 changed hands at #bj1 and was well worth the money4 ,this hawk1 trained by ,mr4 ,a4 ,newall on ,salisbury ,plain1 killed no less than fifty-five hares in one season1 besides other quarry4 ,of course if goshawks are to be flown at hares1 they must be left strictly to this quarry as far as possible1 and not encouraged to ever look at a rabbit4 ,the goshawk has one great advantage over her nobler cousin1 the peregrine2 she need not necessarily stop when her quarry has gone into covert4 ,provided only that the covert is thin enough for her to see the quarry1 and to get along1 she will stick to him there as pertinaciously as in the open4 ,she will naturally not be so likely to succeed2 trees and bushes will impede her stoops1 and give the quarry a far better chance of doubling out of the way4 ,but it is astonishing how clever even an eyess goshawk can be in threading her way through covert1 and choosing the moment when a dash can be made4 ,the hare is not as well able to use her natural cunning in front of a hawk as in front of a hound4 ,the whole affair is so rapid1 and the danger behind is so pressing1 that there is hardly time to devise1 and still less to put in practice1 those tricks which are so successful in hare-hunting4 ,if one could only see it all1 possibly the flight at a hare in a thin covert would be better worth seeing than a flight in the open4 ,at any rate1 the skill exhibited by the hawk must be greater4 ,for she not only has to keep the quarry in view1 and to make straight shots at him1 but also in doing so to avoid breaking her wing tips1 or even her neck1 against an intervening tree4 ,the wild rush of the falconer--or ostringer--and his friends after a flight at a hare in covert is also a thing to be seen4 ,it is unique of its kind4 ,in magpie-hawking there is a lot of hurrying up1 much tumbling about1 much laughter1 and any amount of shouting and noise2 but there is not the same necessity for headlong racing through the thicket4 ,if you want to be in it with a goshawk1 you must go at a break-neck speed over or through all obstacles2 you must be able to see through screens of interlacing boughs1 and dash through almost impervious places4 ,you must cut off corners by instinct and follow by inspiration4 ,there is something in the impetuosity of a goshawk which is contagious2 and the ostringer1 who has perhaps not marched at the double for years farther than the length of a platform to catch a train1 may sometimes be seen tearing along with his very best leg foremost1 through bramble1 thorn1 and quagmire1 in hope of being in at the death4 ,the whole sight is certainly worth seeing4 ,artists are fond of depicting the goshawk as she stands with outspread wings and half-open mouth with the hare paralysed in her terrible foot4 ,no better personification could1 indeed1 be found of the pride of victory4 ,the hare weighs commonly three times as much as his captor2 yet the victor hawk must not only vanquish the hare1 but also hold him fast4 ,it is almost as if a strong man were expected to hold a wild zebra in his clutches4 ,but the strength of a goshawk's grasp1 like that of the eagle's1 must be tested by experience to be properly understood4 ,the female goshawk1 besides being flown at ground game1 may be trained to take many other quarry1 both big and little4 ,at pheasants she may be expected to do good execution4 ,partridges will sometimes be captured in fair flight when a good start is made4 ,herons may be caught before they have gone any distance on the wing4 ,wild geese1 wild duck1 and wild fowl of various kinds in the same way4 ,land and water rails are available2 and water-hens are perhaps the favourite objects of pursuit by a hawk that is not quite first-rate4 ,stoats1 weasels1 and squirrels may be taken2 and the harmful1 unnecessary rats will be picked up almost as fast as they can be driven out4 ,when ferrets are used there is a danger that one of them1 emerging from below1 may be nailed and finished off by his winged ally4 ,in the old days goshawks were generally assisted by spaniels2 and it was pretty to see how eagerly and cleverly the dogs backed up the chief actor in the play1 while she in turn trusted to them to drive the quarry in the right direction4 ,the conditions of modern game-preserving do not lend themselves much to the use of spaniels2 and perhaps they are not so often of service to the gos1 but they are frequently used4 ,a good retriever is often useful1 especially if you are flying pheasants1 and the hawk should always be on the most amicable terms with him4 ,male goshawks are thought by some to have more speed than their sisters4 ,when they are good1 they will take partridges1 with a good start1 but not otherwise2 and many of them will tackle a pheasant4 ,it is said that in some countries quails are taken with the male4 ,very strong males will sometimes hold a full-grown rabbit2 but the effort is rather beyond their strength4 ,the flight of a gos is very peculiar4 ,after a few fast flaps of the wing she often spreads them a moment or two1 and sails along1 giving to the falconer1 who is accustomed to long-winged hawks1 the appearance of having left off4 ,almost immediately1 however1 she begins moving her wings with greater vigour than ever1 and1 gaining quickly this time on the quarry1 comes at him1 sometimes with an upper-cut1 if it is a bird1 before you think she can have had time to reach him4 ,goshawks may be flown repeatedly the same day4 ,in fact1 it is almost difficult to say when they have had enough flying4 ,but in this1 as in all kinds of hawking1 it is well to remember that an extra good flight with success means an extra good reward4 ,if1 therefore1 after some indifferent or unsuccessful flights1 the hawk has flown hard and killed cleverly1 ,i should advise feeding her up1 and not flying her again merely for the sake of making a bigger bag4 ,under this system she may go on improving indefinitely2 and you will be rewarded for your pains and labour at the beginning by possessing a hawk which perhaps for years will give a good account of herself4 ,i have said that a goshawk which is intended for hares should be kept to them alone4 ,so1 likewise1 a male which is meant for partridges should not be thrown off at pheasants or anything else4 ,but1 as a general rule1 there is no such necessity with the short-winged hawks1 as there is with the long-winged1 of keeping them from checking at odd quarry4 ,the bag of a goshawk has often been known to include four or five very different items1 such as a rabbit1 a rat1 a weasel1 a pheasant1 and a water-hen4 ,these sanguinary creatures are not particular as to what they kill when they are in the humour for killing4 ,they commit murder1 as foxes do1 for the mere pleasure of it2 and this you may easily prove if you put out a number of fowls where a gos can get at them4 ,if you keep one in the same room where other hawks are1 and by any mischance her leash comes unfastened1 she is as likely as not to go round and massacre the whole lot4 ,live fowls should never be given on any account to a goshawk4 ,if you can1 you should prevent her from ever supposing that they are good to eat1 otherwise she may take a liking to poultry1 and seize every opportunity of helping herself to the hens and chickens of your neighbours4 ,the attraction of poultry-yards is a great objection in places where there are many of them1 and some very good falconers have actually felt themselves obliged on this account to discontinue keeping hawks4 ,i am indebted to ,mr4 ,john ,riley1 of ,putley ,court1 ,herefordshire1 for the following most interesting records of scores with trained goshawks1 and the notes which are annexed4 ,they illustrate this department of hawking in the most vivid and practical way3-- ,enid 7eyess female goshawk7-- ,in #ahhh-hi1 took #hb rabbits4 #ahhi-ij1 #ei rabbits1 #a pheasant1 #a water-hen4 #ahij-ia1 #fg rabbits1 #a water-hen1 #a partridge1 #a stoat1 #a mole4 #ahia-ib1 #eb rabbits1 #a mole4 ,isolt 7eyess female goshawk7-- ,in #ahhe-hf1 took #aaj rabbits1 #b pheasants1 #ac water-hens1 #e ducks1 #a rat4 #ahhf-hg1 #acj rabbits1 #a pheasant1 #d ducks1 #c water-hens1 #a stoat4 #ahhg-hh 7to #bfth ,dec471 took #gj rabbits4 ,sir ,tristram 7eyess male goshawk7-- ,in #ahhf-hg1 took #bf partridges1 #aj pheasants1 #af rabbits1 #e landrails1 #ab water-hens1 #a stoat4 ,geraint 7eyess male goshawk7-- ,in #ahhh 7to #dth ,oct471 took #aa partridges1 #e pheasants1 #b landrails4 ,tostin 7haggard male goshawk71 caught #aeth ,july1 flown #ith ,september-- ,in #ahia 7to #agth ,oct471 killed #ba partridges1 #c pheasants1 #a landrail1 #a leveret1 #a wood-pigeon1 #a water-hen ,total1 #bh in #ch successive days4 ,illustration3 ,,trained ,,goshawk ,,gaiety ,,gal ,,owned ,,by ,,mr4 ,a4 ,,newall ,mr4 ,riley trains his own hawks1 and1 for convenience and for saving time in an enclosed country1 has sometimes used a lure4 ,he keeps them as hard at work as he can4 ,he has much difficulty in finding enough quarry for them1 and is much troubled by poultry4 ,but for these causes the bags made would have been even much larger than they were4 ,he has a great preference for haggards1 whose style of flying he considers very far superior to that of the eyesses4 ,tostin1 especially1 used to shoot up some feet when he left the fist2 and this seemed to have a demoralising effect on the partridges4 ,he hit them so hard that the blow could be heard a long way off4 ,when he was unsuccessful1 instead of coming straight back1 he would throw up two or three hundred feet1 moving his head from side to side as he flew4 ,sometimes he would come down upon partridges on the ground1 so as to put them up all round him1 and then1 if there was no friendly hedge at hand1 he was pretty sure to have one4 ,it was no doubt a great feat to get him fully trained in so short a time after his capture as fifty-six days4 ,pity his brilliant career was so soon ended by death6 ,almost all the partridges taken1 by one hawk or the other1 were captured in fair flight1 without any routing about in hedges or other covert4 ,to show what goshawks will do when well worked1 ,i may mention that ,mr4 ,st4 ,quintin's falconer 7now the head falconer of the ,old ,hawking ,club7 took out his female goshawk in ,november #ahhe1 and gave her seventeen chances at rabbits lying out in the grass4 ,she caught them all1 but being a bit blown1 let the last one go4 ,sir ,henry ,boynton's goshawk1 ,red ,queen1 on #bnd ,december #ahie1 killed as many as twenty-four rabbits in one day4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the illustration is a portrait of ,gaiety ,gal1 the goshawk which1 while she was owned by ,mr4 ,arthur ,newall and flown by him1 killed in one season fifty-five hares1 nineteen rabbits1 two pheasants1 one partridge1 one wood-pigeon1 one ,norfolk plover1 one landrail--total1 eighty head4 ,this fine hawk was afterwards sold for #bj2 and the vendor always considered that he had been a loser by the bargain4 ,,chapter ,,xii ,the ,sparrow-,hawk ,there is so little difference between the training of the goshawk and that of the sparrow-hawk1 that it is unnecessary to give any special directions for the latter4 ,but1 just as the merlin is a more delicate feeder and a more delicate subject than the peregrine1 so it must be remembered that the diet and treatment of the smaller short-winged hawk must be more recherch than that of the larger4 ,this is more especially true of the musket1 or male sparrow-hawk1 which is very much smaller than his sister1 and is in many respects a kind of miniature hawk4 ,nothing in the shape of hard or tough meat must ever be given to him4 ,no long fasts1 no hardships4 ,he must be always something of a spoilt child4 ,and after he has once been manned1 the more he is petted and pampered the better in most cases he will become4 ,as far as my experience goes1 he has a better temper1 and is more easily reclaimed than his bigger sisters2 but ,i have heard other falconers express a contrary opinion4 ,both the ladies and gentlemen1 however1 excluding exceptional cases1 are1 for a time at least1 about as troublesome creatures as ever wore a good pair of wings4 ,for the first few days after they are captured1 or taken up from hack1 it seems quite impossible to make anything of them4 ,the beginner1 unless he is of a most sanguine temperament1 may be excused for despairing of the prospect of ever reducing them to obedience1 and far more of ever using them profitably in the field4 ,and1 to tell the truth1 if he has had no previous experience with a more docile kind of hawk1 he seldom does succeed4 ,yet an old hand will tell you that1 when taken properly in hand1 the sparrow-hawk becomes as trusty and hard-working a servant as man can well wish to have4 ,she will combine the tameness of a parrot with the courage1 and even ferocity1 of a tiger1 and will learn to treat her master to the amiable side of her character1 and the quarry to the other4 ,she will go on flying almost as long as you like to fly her1 and start at one sort of bird almost as readily as another4 ,she will work in any kind of country to which you introduce her2 and if she does not make a good bag it will not be for want of will on her part1 or for not doing her best4 ,it seems almost that in proportion as the difficulties of training are great1 so is the result the more gratifying when they have once been overcome4 ,mr4 ,riley1 who has flown both goshawks and sparrow-hawks with the greatest ardour and success1 is of opinion that from the point of view of mere sport1 the latter are even superior to the former4 ,in the good old days partridges seem to have been taken pretty commonly with the female sparrow-hawk4 ,but when ,i say taken1 ,i do not mean that many old birds were actually caught in the air by the hawks4 ,this would imply that the old-fashioned sparrow-hawk was faster and stronger1 as well as better trained1 than those of our own time4 ,what often occurred was no doubt that the partridge was pursued by the hawk1 and taken by the men or dogs4 ,for the sight of this hawk1 when she really means business1 is quite enough to take all the courage out of even a bold partridge1 and induce him to lie close in the hedge or thicket into which he has been put1 when he can be grabbed by a spaniel or retriever1 or even sometimes picked up by hand4 ,i make no question that the old-fashioned falconers1 by the aid of their drugs and nostrums1 kept their hawks of all kinds--and especially hobbies--in better condition than we do4 ,but even then it would probably have been considered quite a feat to take old partridges on the wing with a sparrow-hawk4 ,and now1 when the stubbles can only be called covert by courtesy1 and to get within fifteen yards of a bird is a rare thing1 it is certainly more difficult for us than it was for them to get a fair start at one4 ,but a time often comes in a day's shooting when the birds1 having been shot at a good deal1 and scattered like sheep without a shepherd1 lie very close in a patch of clover or thin roots4 ,this would be the time for one of the guns1 who had brought out his falconer with a sparrow-hawk in reserve1 to call the latter forward4 ,the rest of the guns--or some of them at least--would probably be glad enough to see so unusual a sight as a flight with a sparrow-hawk at a partridge4 ,anyhow1 the interruption to the business of the day1 while the little hawk was flown1 would be very slight4 ,of course a sparrow-hawk which is intended to fly partridges should be kept1 as ,turbervile recommends1 as much as possible to big fowls4 ,and there would always be more or less a risk1 unless the hawk was in first-rate condition1--in what is called screaming yarak1--that she would refuse at the critical moment the carefully marked bird1 and put her owner to an everlasting shame4 ,a falconer who is afraid of this1 however1 is not the sort of man who will ever do much good with any kind of hawk nowadays4 ,the quarry par excellence of the sparrow-hawk is a blackbird4 ,every female which is sound in wind and limb1 and also most males1 ought to be able to take blackbirds1 whereas it must be an exceptionally strong and bold female which will be good enough for the much more difficult flight at partridges4 ,the hawk referred to in the ,merry ,wives of ,windsor seems to have been an eyess musket4 ,unless1 therefore1 the falconer is particularly ambitious and confident in himself and his hawks1 he had better lay himself out for blackbirds as the pice de rsistance1 with the chance of a few thrushes1 starlings1 water-hens1 and small birds to make up the bag4 ,peter ,gibbs the falconer told me that he had taken thirteen head of quarry1 varying in size from a partridge to a wren1 in one day with a female sparrow-hawk4 ,one advantage of the flight at blackbirds is that the quarry is easy to find4 ,few enclosed countries in ,england are without a good supply of them2 and it is seldom that their haunts are so secure that they cannot be dislodged so as to afford a flight4 ,only a man must not go out blackbird-hawking all alone4 ,he should rather get as many people to join in the business as he can4 ,there is nothing unsociable or exclusive about a blackbird-hawking expedition4 ,the gardener1 and the gardener's men1 as well as the keepers1 the boys home for the holidays1 and in short everyone who is available1 should all be encouraged to volunteer as beaters1 and help in the campaign against the plunderers of the raspberry bushes4 ,formerly this sort of hedge-hunting was a very popular amusement4 ,although in the fantastic apportionment of hawks to different ranks and degrees1 the sparrow-hawk and musket were appropriated to ecclesiastics1 it was a common thing for yeomen and small landowners to keep and fly this familiar and serviceable little creature4 ,when ,mr4 ,page says that he has a fine hawk for the bush 7,merry ,wives of ,windsor1 ,act iii4 scene #c71 he means that he has a sparrow-hawk which will afford sport for a whole company of country-folk2 and when he and his friends go out the next morning after breakfast birding1 they may safely be supposed to get a morning's sport very much of the sort that is now to be described4 ,ruby looks very murderous as she sits with her thin yellow fingers gripping the arch of yew which forms her bow-perch on the lawn4 ,the warm autumnal sun lights up her feathers in their true colours of slatey brown on the back1 and barred white on the breast4 ,very keen and pitiless is her yellow eye as it turns quickly towards each spot where the slightest unusual movement attracts her notice4 ,presently1 however1 all her attention is concentrated on one object1 as her master steps across the lawn4 ,in a moment she is on to the outstretched fist1 where a well-known reward is almost always found4 ,the leash is untied2 we are beckoned to come on1 and we start at once1 accompanied by the terrier ,sandy1 with a knowing look on his shrewd face4 ,it is a warm still day1 and we go straight to the big meadow1 where in the bottom hedge we put out a thrush4 ,ruby is off the fist like lightning1 and gains fast on the quarry4 ,just as he turns to get into the hedge the hawk makes a dash1 which very nearly succeeds1 but the thrush has just managed to swerve out of the way1 and1 running along and through the hedge1 escapes on the other side1 while ,ruby betakes herself to a tree hard by4 ,before she is called down a blackbird is sighted near the same tree1 and we form a line so as to drive him towards the hawk4 ,this1 however1 does not accord with the views of our black friend in the bush1 who resists our well-meant endeavours1 and tries to work his way past us away from the tree4 ,fortunately there are enough of us to frustrate his efforts1 and prevent him from shirking along the hedge4 ,he is obliged to take a line across the field1 and as soon as he is well away from the fence ,ruby is up to him4 ,in shifting from the stoop he dashes himself against the ground1 and even by this violent effort does not wholly escape1 as the hawk hits him hard as she passes overhead4 ,he picks himself up at once and makes for the hedge1 but is just too late1 as ,ruby grabs him just as he is entering4 ,passing on to another long hedge we soon get a flight at another blackbird1 which puts in before the hawk gets up4 ,ruby will not wait1 but goes on to an oak at the end of the hedge4 ,we beat on1 with a view to drive him towards the hawk1 and find that there is more than one blackbird in front of us4 ,one of these is driven out1 and ,ruby makes a fine stoop at him out of the tree1 but fails to hit him1 and he puts in4 ,after several tries he is persuaded to fly out into the open1 and make for some bushes that are not far off1 but as he goes the hawk knocks him over with a severe cut1 and though he gets up again and staggers on1 she has him well before he can reach the bush4 ,with the next blackbird we have no end of excitement under and round a tree in the fence1 the fugitive several times baffling us as we are driving him along towards a bare place in the hedge1 and compelling us to hark back and begin driving him up again4 ,once he comes out a yard1 and whips back again instantly4 ,the hawk goes again up into an oak-tree near the gate4 ,now we drive on furiously1 hoping that at the gate1 anyhow1 he will take wing4 ,some time before we get there he loses patience and ventures a flight across the field4 ,ruby gets a poor start1 but the blackbird makes a bad use of his chance1 allowing the hawk to recover lost ground rapidly1 and makes such a weak attempt to get inside a brake that he is taken on the top--perhaps dazed with all the noise and hustling in the fence4 ,the next is a very plucky young cock1 found in a short piece of hedge by a wire fence4 ,in and out of the wire fence he shifts very cleverly1 and only just saves himself in a holly bush4 ,here he establishes himself in a nearly impregnable fortress1 made up of an earth-bank1 with some tangled roots1 and an infinity of quickset1 wild rose1 and bramble4 ,the yapping of ,sandy1 the shouts of the beaters1 and the howls of an under-gardener1 who in the ardour of pursuit has torn his cheek open with a briar--all are unavailing to storm the citadel until someone with a well-directed thrust nearly pins him by the tail4 ,then at last he is off in real earnest towards a thick brake4 ,before he can get there ,ruby compels him with a knock on the back to drop down on the ground1 and though he gets up and shuffles into the brake1 he is evidently the worse for wear4 ,it takes ten minutes' hard work to dislodge him again1 and even when dislodged he dodges back after going a few yards4 ,at last1 as it is getting dark1 he happens to go out just under the spot where the hawk is sitting1 and she collars him above the ditch1 dropping into it with him4 ,a flight of half an hour1 including stoppages1 and hard work all the time--for the men6 ,another day we are out with ,lady ,macbeth1 a young eyess with broad shoulders1 large feet1 and a very small head4 ,the luck is against us at first4 ,we are foiled by a blackbird and outflown by a thrush1 and have failed to find any water-hens4 ,at length a blackbird is marked down in a field of swedes in the open1 and we adjourn there1 full of hopes4 ,the tactics adopted by this blackrobed gentleman are simple1 but ingenious and effective4 ,they consist of flopping down1 as the hawk gets quite near1 into a thick bunch of turnip leaves1 and1 when once on the ground1 doubling round the stalks so as to elude the hawk1 which1 of course1 dives into the damp covert at the same place where the quarry disappeared4 ,then when the hawk's head is safe behind the leafy screen of verdure1 the chance comes of jumping up and slipping off unseen4 ,twice does ,lady ,macbeth detect him in the act of thus slinking off2 but she is thrown out again by the same stratagem1 and on the third occasion the fugitive gets off unseen by his persecutor1 though in full sight of us1 and also of ,sandy1 who yelps demoniacally1 either from pure vexation1 or perhaps in the hope of attracting the attention of his friend and ally4 ,well1 of course1 we lose that fellow1 who goes off joyously over the hedge and the next field1 glorying1 like ,ulysses1 in the success of his wiles4 ,more valuable to magpie and blackbird than the rather limited allowance of wing-power with which ,nature has provided them1 is the considerable supply of brains by which the balance is made up4 ,at last1 however1 we get a bit of luck1 which indeed makes it rather a red-letter day for ,lady ,macbeth1 for as we beat along one of the least likely-looking hedge-rows1 more for the sake of doing the proper thing than with a hope of finding anything1 there is a huge flurry and bustle almost under the feet of our falconer1 and up gets a single partridge1 beating the air noisily with broad1 round wings as he gets clear of the overgrown ditch4 ,when he is once fairly on the wing he will soon put on a pace nearly1 if not quite1 equal to any that our hawk can attain to4 ,that is1 he would rather than he will1 for we have not been idle all this time4 ,on the contrary1 ,lady ,macbeth1 somewhat startled at first1 spreads her wings1 and at once shoots upwards1 as if with a view to see what is the matter4 ,then1 pulling herself together as she takes in the situation1 she makes a sort of half-turn in the air1 comes down in a slanting course1 half stooping and half flying1 and before the partridge has gone forty yards1 strikes him full on the back with both feet4 ,one1 at least1 of the eight sharp claws hold1 and down they come with a whack on the brown earth of the ploughed field1 where they seem almost to roll over one another in the excitement of the fray which has still to be fought out4 ,for a real set-to it is1 of the rough-and-tumble order4 ,the hawk's claws1 long and sharp as they are1 do not penetrate to any vital part of the partridge as they do when a sparrow is the victim4 ,nor do her long spindle-like legs look as if they could do much service in a wrestling bout1 when opposed to the short1 stout1 and very muscular understandings of the other4 ,but ,lady ,macbeth makes play with her wings and tail as well as her feet and legs1 otherwise she could be upset and shaken off in no time4 ,half a dozen long feathers pressed down into the ground on each side prevent her from being thrown to right or left2 a dozen almost equally long and elastic feathers behind steady her still further1 and act as a sort of drag if the struggling partridge tries to rush forward and so free itself4 ,so1 though the encounter is fierce1 as the two feathered bodies sway about spasmodically over the rough surface of the furrow1 the assailant keeps the upper hand2 and soon the allied forces come up in support4 ,the trainer1 joyous at the tardy success which has crowned his afternoon1 gets hold of one of the partridge's wings and holds it down1 so that the kicks and scratchings to which he now resorts are wasted on the insensible clods beneath4 ,the hawk now shifts one foot from the shoulder to the head2 two claws imbed themselves in the face and neck4 ,a third1 sad to say1 pierces the falconer's unguarded thumb2 but though he moans with the pain1 he does not withdraw his hand till he has cleared it from the hooked claw4 ,then1 with sharp knife1 he severs the partridge's jugular vein1 and1 opening the skull1 allows the hawk to pick out the brain4 ,lady ,macbeth will now be fed up2 she has had some work and some encouragement1 and we shall next time try to find her another short start at a partridge4 ,one of the merits of birding with a sparrow-hawk is that everyone out is always busily engaged4 ,everyone thinks that he has marked the exact spot where the fugitive put in1 and can lay his hand at once on the place where his cunning head is hiding under the ferns or leaves4 ,and yet when the hedge is reached these boastings are all falsified1 and the hiding-places seem all to be bare4 ,he never stopped in the hedge at all1 says one4 ,yes he did4 ,he doubled down to the right4 ,he climbed up into the middle4 ,hark1 there6 ,i heard him flutter4 ,you make such a confounded row with your argumentation2 no one can hear anything4 ,there he goes6 ,no2 that's ,sandy4 ,i see him now4 ,to the left6 ,keep him back4 ,cut him off4 ,and so the chase goes on4 ,lady ,macbeth1 or ,ruby1 sits quietest of all on the commanding bough1 though her yellow eyes glitter with excitement1 and her legs and wings are ready for a start the moment that a black feather shows itself4 ,it is equally hard to grab an old cock blackbird in the hedge1 or to drive him out of it far enough to give the hawk a chance of a fair shot4 ,as for the thrushes1 they seem to puzzle a sparrow-hawk more even than the wiliest of their black cousins4 ,they have more wing-power1 too1 and are apt to distance her in fair flight4 ,a starling is1 ,i believe1 not an easy bird to take if he has anything of a start4 ,wood-pigeons1 when taken by wild sparrow-hawks1 must probably be caught unawares4 ,a small wiry-haired dog which is not afraid of thorns will often be useful4 ,sandy is not without his honours in the hawking-field4 ,many a blackbird has he snapped up in his mouth within a yard of his formidable ally1 in whose presence the quarry thinks that almost anything is preferable to a flight across the open4 ,then the victim is1 of course1 taken from him--often unhurt--for ,sandy is too well bred and too well trained to injure it if he can help doing so2 and with the orthodox cry of ,ware1 hawk6 ware6 is thrown out to the hawk4 ,water-hens are a rather favourite quarry for the female sparrow-hawk1 as well as for the goshawk1 when she is not a very distinguished performer4 ,a water-spaniel which knows how to work with a hawk is in each case very useful4 ,landrails would afford a capital flight if they were plentiful enough1 and could be induced to give themselves a fair start1 instead of waiting to be kicked up when the hawk is close upon them4 ,but perhaps the best flight of all1 next to partridges1 is at the quail1 and it is one in which the musket can be employed as well as his sister4 ,the ,italian authorities1 upon whom ,turbervile draws for the chief part of his treatise on falconry1 speak of the quail as the special quarry of the sparrow-hawk1 and give minute directions for this flight1 which could1 of course1 be had in perfection in the ,egyptian paddy-fields1 and in other parts of the ,east4 ,it is said that some of the tribes tributary to the ,grand ,turk1 who had to pay their tribute in quails1 used to provide themselves by means of sparrow-hawks alone with the necessary number of birds4 ,the ,african falconers1 when in pursuit of quails1 take the sparrow-hawk round the body in their right hand1 and as the quarry rises throw her at them like a round-hand bowler1 thereby giving her an initial impetus1 of which she seems fully to understand the advantage4 ,in some places they surround the neck of the hawk with a halschband1 or linen collar1 which serves to steady the flight4 ,the ,besra sparrow-hawk1 as has already been said1 is used as well as the common species4 ,a quotation from the last-named author will here1 perhaps1 be found to the point4 ,set your sparrow-hawke1 he says1 every morning abroade in the sunne two houres1 or neare thereabouts1 and set her to the water twice in a weeke at the least1 and especially nyasses1 for they covet the water more than the rest4 ,soar sparrow-hawks should not be flown withal too soone in a morning1 for they soare willingly4 ,take your sparrow-hawke from the pearche alwayes with somewhat in your hand1 to make her love you1 and be fond of you1 for that is a thing of no small importance and consideration4 ,and also to make your sparrow-hawke foot great fowles1 to the end that she may not learn nor be accustomed to carrion4 ,and as touching mewing of a sparrow-hawke1 some use to put her in the mew as soon as they leave fleeing with her1 cutting off both her bewits1 lines1 and the knots of her jesses1 and leave her in the mew until she be cleane mewed4 ,but if you will have her to flee at partridge1 quail1 or the feazent poult1 then you must draw her in the beginning of ,april1 and have her on the fist till she be cleane and thoroughly enseamed4 ,and they which delight in haggarts must take great heede that they offend them not1 but rather coy them as much as they can1 with all devices of favour and cherishing4 ,for they will remember favor or injurie much better than any kind of hawke4 ,and he which hath a haggart sparrow-hawke must above all thinges take paines in weyning her from that vile fault of carrying3 and that shall he do by serving her often with greate pullets and other great traines1 the which she cannot carry1 and thereby she will learne to abide upon the quarry4 ,illustration3 ,sparrow-,hawk and ,partridge4 ,mr4 ,riley has given me some extracts from his hawking diary1 in which the following scores are recorded3-- ,blanche 7eyess female71 #ahhe-hf--dd blackbirds1 #ac thrushes1 #a partridge1 #b small birds4 ,lady ,mabel 7eyess female71 #ahhg-hh--ef blackbirds1 #e thrushes1 #d water-hens1 #c partridges1 #a pheasant1 #b small birds4 ,faerie 7eyess female71 #ahhi-ij--fd blackbirds1 #c thrushes1 #d water-hens1 #a partridge1 #d small birds4 ,ruby 7eyess female71 #ahid-ie--ajf blackbirds1 #a partridge1 #a starling1 #a small bird4 ,princess 7wild-caught female71 #ahie-if 7,nov4 #aa to ,march #bd7--ci blackbirds1 #a thrush4 ,of these the wild-caught ,princess1 though injured in the leg by a trap1 was very superior in her style4 ,ruby at the end of the season flew very like a wild hawk4 ,this ,ruby was wonderfully fast and clever1 and an excellent footer4 ,the number of blackbirds she killed stone dead by stoops out of trees was astonishing4 ,in size she did not exceed the average4 ,speaking from an experience of a great many years1 and with an authority which everyone must acknowledge1 ,mr4 ,riley declares that no sport with a female goshawk can touch that to be got with a good female sparrow-hawk4 ,,chapter ,,xiii ,home ,life ,probably the commonest fault in young falconers of the modern school is that of keeping too many hawks4 ,almost every writer on the subject has warned them over and over again against this rage for being over-hawked2 and yet it is still the cause of endless failures1 disappointments1 and disasters4 ,don't you know1 if ,i lose one ,i like to have another to fall back upon4 ,such is the excuse1 and a very bad one it is4 ,if a beginner can manage to keep one hawk of any kind in flying order he may consider himself exceptionally clever2 and the sole charge of a cast of hawks is quite as much as any amateur ought to undertake1 unless he is blessed with a great deal more leisure time than is usually the case4 ,an experienced professional falconer1 with a boy to help him1 and with nothing else to occupy his time1 may manage an establishment of three short-winged hawks1 or about five long-winged1 or one of the former and three of the latter1 short-winged hawks1 when in flying condition1 requiring about twice as much attention as their nobler cousins4 ,but if it is desired to keep up a larger establishment1 there should be1 counting in the head falconer1 one man1 or at least one boy1 to every two hawks4 ,a falconer who attends properly to his charges will find that they monopolise a very large portion of every day--at anyrate from the time when the eyesses arrive1 in early summer1 to the end of the rook-hawking season in spring4 ,his duties may be divided into those which we may call normal or permanent1 and which relate to the hawks which are already in flying order1 and only require to be flown and kept in working condition1 and exceptional or special duties1 such as the hacking of eyesses1 and the manning and reclaiming of hawks which are newly caught1 newly taken up1 or newly removed from the moulting-place4 ,thus1 as in other professions1 there are times of extra pressure1 when every hour in a long day has its full complement of busy work1 and times of comparative rest1 when the labour is a good deal lighter4 ,but at all times the falconer1 if he is to excel1 must be possessed of certain qualifications1 either innate in him or carefully acquired1 which will enable him to become a favourite amongst his winged pupils and servants4 ,among such qualities the foremost is prudence4 ,a moment of carelessness1 or even inattention1 may almost every day entail the loss of a valuable hawk4 ,a knot insecurely fastened1 a door inadvertently left open1 a leash or jess that has become unsound1--all these are examples of small imprudences1 some one of which many a falconer will bitterly remember to have been the cause of a catastrophe4 ,cleanliness and tidiness are virtues none the less desirable in a professional falconer because they were1 and still are1 a little rare4 ,it is not so easy a matter as it may at first be supposed to keep a hawk-house clean and neat2 and the very first aspect of many such places speaks volumes for the character of the owner or his servants4 ,the person who has to manage hawks should be gentle in all his dealings with them4 ,he should have the touch of an organist rather than of a pianist2 the hands of a sculptor rather than of a wrestler or quoit-player4 ,any hurried or sudden movement is offensive and alarming to hawks2 and rough treatment of any kind disgusts and makes enemies of them4 ,patience and a good temper are quite as necessary to a falconer as to an angler--probably more so1 as the difficulties and injustices with which the falconer is confronted under modern conditions exceed those which are met with in any other kind of sport4 ,he must be a good judge of the characters of animals1 and of their moods and fancies1 for there is as much difference in the dispositions of hawks as of human beings1 and no two of them1 except by a rare accident1 can be treated successfully in exactly the same way4 ,his sight and hearing must be good1 for much depends upon his ability to keep a long flight in view1 and to distinguish the sound of a hawk's bell in a high wind1 amidst the rustle of leaves and grass1 the murmur of a stream1 or the pattering of rain4 ,in the golden age of falconry great weight was attached to the possession of good lungs4 ,the falconer's voice1 for which ,juliet fondly wished1 was used not only to lure the tassel-gentle back again1 but to encourage him in his efforts1 and to cheer his successful or brilliant strokes4 ,a modern trainer is not so demonstrative4 ,we have--wrongly1 ,i think--almost abandoned the use of calls and cheers to animate our winged friends in the air4 ,but even now a loud voice is a merit in a falconer1 if only as enabling him from afar to warn the field and any chance intruders not to meddle with a flight or run in to a hawk that has killed4 ,those few who still make a practice of giving their voice to their hawks are1 ,i think1 well repaid for their trouble4 ,for no one can doubt how attentive hawks are to sounds1 especially of the human voice1 or how thoroughly they become convinced1 when well handled1 that they and their followers on foot or horseback1 and the dogs1 when there are any1 are all friends and comrades engaged1 each in his different way1 in the same campaign against the same quarry4 ,as the huntsman in his kennels1 and the trainer in his stables1 so the good falconer should take a pride in his mews1 or in the place1 whatever he calls it1 where his hawks are lodged4 ,we have abandoned for the most part the old name of mews--long ago degraded to a new signification--and with it the fashion of building proper quarters for the accommodation of our feathered friends4 ,the modern hawk-house is often a poor substitute for the substantial buildings which our ancestors called mews4 ,nowadays almost any outhouse seems to be thought good enough for the purpose2 and the trained hawks of several amateurs who are justly reputed good falconers are housed in what are little more than shanties1 barely able to keep out the rain and wind1 and not at all proof against that insidious enemy1 the damp4 ,there can be no doubt that the excessive prevalence in our times of the horrible disorder called croaks is largely due to the want of care with which our hawks are housed in winter4 ,a hawk-house should have solid walls1 and a floor well raised above the ground1 so as to be impervious to damp4 ,it should have a loft or room above it1 which will help to save it from extreme variations of temperature by day and by night4 ,in such a place all hawks1 except merlins and those which have come from any hot climate1 may be kept through all ordinary weathers1 care being taken1 of course1 that the ventilation is sufficient1 but in winter not excessive4 ,in times of severe frost or excessive damp a very moderate amount of artificial heat should be introduced4 ,a very good arrangement1 when it can be adopted1 is for the back wall of the hawk-house to be also the back wall on the other side of a warm conservatory or well-heated room4 ,in such cases it is unnecessary1 unless in exceptional winters1 to have any heating apparatus in the hawk-house itself4 ,merlins and the tropical hawks1 such as shaheens1 barbarys1 and also the desert falcons1 should1 in cold or damp weather at least1 be placed in a room which is over a very well-warmed apartment1 and has the flue of one chimney at least running along one of its sides4 ,a room immediately above a kitchen is pretty safe in all weathers for all hawks if the fire is kept up all night1 but not otherwise4 ,where the room is unavoidably isolated1 there must be a stove or some heating apparatus2 but the heat thrown out must be very moderate indeed1 or the hawks when taken out for weathering1 or even when left stoveless by day1 are nearly sure to catch cold4 ,changes of temperature in our islands are sudden and severe enough when due to natural causes only1 but if they are produced by artificial means no hawk can be expected to endure them with impunity1 and least of all gers1 merlins1 and the denizens of the sunny south4 ,the hardiest hawks are peregrines and hobbies1 but these1 too1 must be given a fair chance1 even if it entail upon their owner some inconvenience and expense4 ,whenever the weather is very wet or damp1 with penetrating fogs1 opportunity should be taken1 when the hawks are all out on their blocks or being carried1 to warm the hawk-house thoroughly by artificial means1 and purge it of all suspicion of damp4 ,adjoining the hawks' apartment should be another small room1 where lures and spare furniture can be kept4 ,meat and food of all kinds should be rigorously excluded from the first-mentioned room1 but may be kept1 if it is quite fresh1 on an emergency in the other1 where blocks and bow-perches when taken in out of the rain can be deposited4 ,on the walls in either room may be hung on small pegs or nails the hoods for each kind of hawk2 but it is well to mark clearly above each peg a description of the sort of hood which is intended to be there hung1 so that in a case of hurry one may not be mistaken for another1 and a tiercel's hood crammed on to a falcon1 or a female hobby's be found wobbling about on the head of a jack-merlin4 ,every falconer should have in his cupboard a tin box containing a supply of imping needles suitable for the hawks which he keeps1 and some spare feathers ready for imping4 ,the same box will hold other small paraphernalia and odds-and-ends1 such as waxed thread1 pincers for coping or blunting the beak and talons1 tweezers for putting on jesses1 punches for making holes in leashes1 scissors1 files1 and a scrap of thin leather for making jesses and bewits4 ,or there may be a compartment where ready-made jesses1 bells1 swivels1 and spare leashes are stored4 ,the lures1 well cleansed from all food that has been attached to them1 and the hawking gloves1 can have their proper place in the side-room4 ,if the building inhabited by the hawks is large1 the upper part may be used as a loft wherein to moult them4 ,if there are hawks of different kinds to be moulted1 it must be divided into separate compartments1 so that no two of very different size may be together4 ,and each individual goshawk must have a room for itself4 ,it would not be safe to turn falcons and tiercels loose together1 nor a female with a male sparrow-hawk4 ,merlins and jacks may be left together1 and in the same place with male hobbies2 and probably peregrine tiercels with female shaheens1 lanners with lannerets1 and perhaps barbarys4 ,but it is not very wise to risk the chumming together of any dissimilar hawks at a time when they are all kept in specially high condition1 with no work to do1 and ready for the mischief which ,dr4 ,watts assures us is a natural concomitant of idleness4 ,of course if there is a living-room above the hawks1 or above the furniture-room1 it may serve most conveniently for a falconer's or under-falconer's bedroom1 enabling him to be at hand by night as well as day in case there should be anything wrong1 such as a hawk hanging by her jesses from the perch1 or a scuffle amongst hawks moulting in the same compartment4 ,at six o'clock in summer1 and as soon as it is light in winter1 the falconer should be in the hawks' room4 ,if newly-caught hawks are there1 they will be in a compartment from which all daylight has been excluded4 ,taking them one by one on the fist1 he will put on their hoods1 and then1 lighting a candle1 or admitting enough light1 he will search for their castings under the screen-perch4 ,if any one of them which has had castings the day before should not have yet cast1 he must either put her back on the perch in the dark1 or else1 if she is far enough advanced in training for this1 hand her over to an under-falconer to be carried till she has performed that operation4 ,under the place occupied by each hawk the pellet should be looked for and examined before it is thrown away with the sweepings of soiled sawdust collected under the perches4 ,as the falconer ascertains that each hawk has cast up a healthy pellet1 well-shaped and free from oily mucus1 he will be doing no harm if he presents her with a mouthful or two of food1 by way of a morning salutation1 and just to show that there is no ill-will4 ,then if it is a fine morning1 there will probably be a hawk or two which may with advantage be pegged out1 either in the sunshine1 if she is fond of it1 or under the cool shade of a tree4 ,at anyrate1 there will be a hawk which will be none the worse for half an hour's carrying2 and if there are merlins1 it will be none too early to fly them to the lure4 ,every falconer1 each time he rises1 ought to take note of the weather1 marking especially the direction and strength of the wind1 and should do his best to forecast how the day will turn out4 ,if he sees reason to expect a stormy afternoon1 he will prepare to fly the hawks as early as he can2 whereas1 if it is already blowing or raining hard1 he may think it best to provide for the possibility of a late start1 taking the chance of an improvement in the weather at midday1 or later4 ,he should decide betimes which hawks are certain not to be taken out to the field1 and make sure that their allowance of food is ready to be given them early in the day4 ,such hawks may generally be put out early in the morning1 and provided with tirings1 at which they may pull away contentedly on their blocks till it is time either to fly them to the lure1 or to give them their ration on the fist4 ,in the game-hawking season there will be a consultation with the keeper as to the country to be visited and the dogs to be taken out2 and the falconer1 having an eye to the direction of the wind1 will plan out provisionally the sort of tactics which it will be best to adopt in beating the ground4 ,beaters and markers should also be secured1 and directed as to the order of the day's proceedings1 whether the business in hand is grouse-hawking1 lark-hawking1 or any other form of sport for which these attendants are required4 ,after breakfast1 on sunshiny days1 there will generally be candidates for the bath4 ,fresh water must be brought2 and in very cold weather a cup or two of hot water may be added1 to take off the chill4 ,each hawk1 after bathing1 should have an hour at least to dry and air herself in the sun and wind4 ,in emergencies1 on cloudy days1 the old falconers used to dry their hawks after bathing by holding them with their backs to a fire4 ,hawks do not usually care to take a bath much before eleven o'clock2 and they should not be indulged with one after half-past twelve4 ,those which have bathed will1 of course1 not be ready to fly till well on in the afternoon1 especially as they will have had a very light feed in the early morning1 as it is not good to let a hawk bathe on a quite empty stomach4 ,the falconer will generally like to be present while the hawks bathe1 so that he will not be ready to start for the field1 even with those that have not bathed1 much before noon4 ,this hour1 moreover1 is full early for peregrines and most of the larger hawks1 which are apt to be slack in the pursuit of their quarry when they have1 or at least think they have1 the best part of the day before them in which to provide themselves with their one daily solid meal4 ,hawks which are not yet thoroughly accustomed to the hood should be hooded up with care1 so as to avoid any trial of their temper just as they are about to be called upon to do their best4 ,hawks1 of course1 ought always to be good at the hood2 but some manifest an obstinate repugnance to it1 as for instance ,vesta1 the very excellent game-falcon trained for the ,old ,hawking ,club4 ,the duties of the falconer in the field are referred to at length in the next chapter4 ,as soon as he has returned--which will usually not be much1 if at all1 before dark--he must be satisfied that each hawk has had the full allowance of food which he had decided to be good for her1 that her beak and talons are fairly clean1 her feathers in good order1 and her swivel and leash properly attached4 ,then each will be put in her accustomed place on the screen-perch1 the leash being securely tied round the perch itself1 as described in ,chapter ,,iii41 and the hood1 if she is hooded1 removed and hung up4 ,as for the hawks1 if any1 which1 not being destined for the field1 have been left at home1 either at blocks on the lawn1 or indoors1 some person will have been left to shift their blocks as they become exposed to the sun1 to carry them for a specified time1 and perhaps to fly some of them to the lure4 ,every trained hawk1 unless she is put down to moult1 or is being flown at quarry1 should be exercised daily to the lure or the fist--merlins twice1 and all others once4 ,the methods of giving exercise have been already described2 but it must be remembered that when once a hawk has been entered the more real flying in the field she gets the better4 ,otherwise you are between the horns of a dilemma4 ,if you give no exercise the hawk grows heavy1 stale1 and lazy4 ,if you fly her too much to the lure she may grow too fond of it1 and less keen at wild quarry4 ,good practical falconers are thus rather averse to a too free use of the lure with peregrines and lanners4 ,on the other hand1 ,i have found that merlins cannot well have too much stooping at the lure4 ,rook-hawks1 and others which are never expected to wait on at a height1 may often be made to do a large amount of pretty fast flying when stooping at the dead lure4 ,this sort of practice is of course not to be encouraged in the case of game-hawks or duck-hawks1 as tending to lower their pitch1 which it is the chief desire of the falconer to keep as high as possible4 ,but long-winged hawks1 even in the mere act of waiting on1 especially in a strong wind1 get a good breather and a good stretching of their wings1 if they are always allowed to be uncertain in their own minds whether in the end it will be a partridge or a pigeon that they will have to come down for1 or merely the dead lure4 ,as for the short-winged hawks1 and for such others as will not keep on the wing willingly without going to perch1 they must be exercised chiefly by the device known as calling off4 ,the most effective plan is that mentioned in ,chapter ,,vi41 where two men go out1 and1 standing at a distance from one another1 alternately bring the hawk across the intervening space by showing the lure or the outstretched fist4 ,if two men are not available the hawk may be deposited on a railing1 gate1 or post1 and the falconer may walk away1 hiding his hands1 and when he is as far off as he likes1 or as the hawk will allow him to go1 may call her and reward her with a few morsels1 and then put her down again for the operation to be repeated4 ,a trained hawk will often follow the falconer about for a long time1 as he walks along1 waiting a while in expectation of being called1 and1 if disappointed1 flitting to a nearer resting-place1 or coming right up to him on the chance that his hand will be held out2 and if it is not1 betaking herself to a neighbouring tree or other convenient place4 ,such excursions as these1 in a park or on the downs1 with a favourite hawk always in sight1 either in the air or on a conspicuous perch of her own choosing1 afford an opportunity of indulging her with the best possible sort of weathering4 ,it is the nearest approach which can safely be made to giving trained hawks their liberty4 ,it is a common thing with writers on hawking to recommend their readers1 when a trained hawk is out of sorts1 to put her on a pair of hack-bells1 and turn her out to hack for a while4 ,i desire to speak with all respect of a practice which has doubtless been often attempted with success2 but ,i am compelled to say that my own experience is altogether unfavourable to any such experiment4 ,attempts that ,i have known made to keep trained hawks at hack have not only failed1 but have over and over again entailed the loss of the bird operated upon1 sometimes for a time1 and sometimes permanently4 ,a strong and clever hawk1 even if she is a bit unwell1 and even if she is weighted heavily1 will manage to kill something1 if she has a real mind to it2 and even if she does not1 her wanderings may lead her first out of sight1 and then into some neighbouring field or place1 where a stray gunner may make an end of her4 ,i am not able to advise beginners to turn their hawks loose for any longer time than they themselves or some agent can be near at hand1 unless it be in the case of a kestrel or hobby1 or other hawk which has never killed wild birds regularly in fair flight4 ,no ordinary bad weather should deter a falconer from taking his long-winged hawks out to exercise4 ,rain1 unless it is very heavy1 will do a hawk no harm during the short time she is flying to the lure or being called off4 ,even if the rain is heavy1 an umbrella can be held over the hawk as she is carried to the exercise-ground and back4 ,wind must be very high indeed before the trainer should hesitate to fly his hawks at exercise4 ,when they are to be merely called off1 they will1 when sharp-set1 if in good condition1 face half a gale of wind4 ,but the two men should1 in this case1 post themselves rather across wind1 and not one exactly down-wind of the other2 otherwise the hawk of the up-wind man will have her head always turned directly away from the other1 and moreover1 if she comes fast towards the latter1 may be carried so far past him that she will not take the trouble to fetch up again1 and struggle up-wind to a lure of which she has once been disappointed4 ,a game-hawk1 especially if it is a passager1 should not be kept waiting on very long on a boisterous day4 ,should she1 while in the air1 catch sight of a wood-pigeon or house-pigeon down-wind1 and give chase1 she may be out of sight in a moment1 and1 if the quarry takes the air1 may go miles before you can run or ride five hundred yards4 ,the best hawks rather enjoy flying in a very high wind1 and seem to take an obvious pride in exerting their mastery over it4 ,their stoops at the lure in such weather are often exceptionally fine2 and the tremendous pace at which the wind enables them to come down1 evidently affords them much inward satisfaction4 ,in hot and sunny weather some caution is advisable in flying hawks to the lure1 as well as in the field4 ,for when in high condition1 even if they are hungry1 they are sometimes disposed to go soaring1 and1 as it were1 forgetting all about mundane affairs1 disappear in airy circles down-wind4 ,eyesses will1 it is true1 generally come back when they are tired of soaring4 ,they are reminded1 sooner or later1 by an internal feeling that there is such a thing as a garnished lure in the foreground4 ,but suppose a passage peregrine1 after stretching her wings for five minutes at a height of a thousand feet1 to catch sight of a wood-pigeon crossing the open down4 ,it would be almost too much to expect that she should resist the temptation4 ,in the cool of the day1 morning and evening1 hawks very seldom soar if they are sharp-set1 and have had the chance of a bath most fine days4 ,it is from nine to four o'clock in summer that there is the most risk of it2 and hobbies1 which are greatly addicted to the habit1 should not be flown during these hours in fine weather1 unless the owner is prepared to wait twenty minutes1 or even longer1 for my lord or my lady to finish airing herself in the sky4 ,very special care must be taken of all hawks during the migration season--that is1 for some weeks after the latter part of ,september and the beginning of ,april4 ,at the former period1 indeed1 it is barely safe to let hobbies wait on at all2 and the steadiest peregrines and merlins are apt to feel more or less strongly the restlessness born of migratory instincts4 ,many favourite hawks which seemed a few days ago to be as safe as tame cats1 have been known at migrating time to develop quite suddenly an ungovernable wish to travel1 and have cleared for foreign parts when they had an opportunity1 without a moment's warning or a word of leave-taking4 ,each hawk1 after flying to the lure1 will be immediately fed up1 usually on the way back to the hawk-house or the lawn4 ,as a rule1 the earlier a hawk can be fed up the better1 for she will be the sooner ready for the field on the next day4 ,moreover1 she will fly better1 probably1 to the lure if she is aware that that ordeal is often the precursor of a solid meal4 ,the rather common practice of feeding all the hawks at about the same hour--generally late in the day--has nothing that ,i ever heard of to recommend it4 ,how can a hawk which habitually dines at six o'clock or later be expected to be keen or to fly well when thrown off at her quarry at three or four o'clock8 ,if a peregrine1 when it has been finally decided not to fly her in the field that day1 is fed at about eleven o'clock1 she will be fit to fly on the morrow at any time after noon4 ,the falconer should note in what order his hawks are fed1 so that on the next day1 unless any special circumstances prevent it1 those which have been fasting the longest should be flown the first4 ,no hawk1 after being fed up1 should be disturbed1 frightened1 or shaken about4 ,if the return journey from the field or exercise-ground is long1 and the hawk inclined to bate off the fist1 she should be hooded just before or after she has finished her meal2 and on returning home she should be put in a quiet place--either on a block where nothing can interfere with her1 or on the screen-perch2 and if given to bating off1 she should remain hooded1 or else in a darkened room1 till nightfall4 ,no hawk should be allowed ever to finish her meal within sight of another that is still hungry1 or to be in a place where she can see a lure or any sort of food without being able to get at it4 ,at no time should a hawk be pegged out in a position where she is exposed to a strong wind1 or to a hot sun1 except just before and for a while after her bath4 ,never should food be dragged or pulled away forcibly from a hawk1 leaving her hungry on the fist or perch with nothing to eat4 ,the falconer must play the part of a friend1 and of a generous friend1 not of a niggardly and tyrannical master1 who makes use of his superior strength to rob his servant of the good things which she expected to enjoy4 ,in summer1 when the weather is fine and the ground tolerably dry1 peregrines1 hobbies1 and some of the hardiest of the big hawks may be left all night at their blocks on the grass4 ,but the advantages1 if any1 resulting from such a plan are1 ,i think1 more than questionable4 ,it is argued1 of course1 that wild hawks sleep in the open air1 and therefore why not trained ones8 ,but the wild hawk chooses his or her resting-place--almost always a tall tree or rock--far out of reach of the dews and mists which belong to the grass and the lower air4 ,if the wild hawk gets wet1 or feels cold at midnight1 she has only the elements or herself to blame4 ,if the trained hawk suffers1 will she not blame the man who tied her down in a position where she could not escape from these discomforts8 ,a perfectly clean and well-aired hawk-house is1 to my mind1 as good a place for hawks to sleep in as the finest lawn on the fairest night of the year4 ,what good does a hawk get from bating at the block on to the wet grass from #c or #d a4m4 till the falconer appears8 ,if wild hawks did this1 instead of keeping aloft in the clear air1 would they not be likely sometimes to get the croaks8 ,i have reserved till as late a place as this the question of dieting1 the most difficult1 if not the most important1 part of the falconer's art4 ,condition in a trained hawk1 as in a trained horse or hound1 is the most essential requisite for really great success4 ,without it the very best hawk will make but a poor show2 and with it even a naturally slow hawk can be flown with pleasure and credit4 ,condition must always depend chiefly upon two things1 exercise and dieting4 ,now1 as regards exercise1 it is impossible for a falconer to err on the side of excess4 ,wild hawks in their airy circlings1 and in pursuit of their daily subsistence1 traverse an almost incredible distance in the course of a year2 probably fifty times as many miles as the most active of trained hawks can be expected to travel in the same period4 ,let the trainer1 therefore1 make it a simple rule to give his charges as much exercise as he can--not all at racing pace1 of course1 but in using their wings4 ,he need not be afraid of overdoing the thing1 as long as he leaves off when the hawk has made too violent an exertion in an actual flight at quarry4 ,i have seen a hobby1 waiting on in a high wind1 refuse to come down to the lure1 though quite sharp-set1 and1 for the mere pleasure of flying1 remain on the wing for twenty-five minutes4 ,the distance flown through the air in the time--counting only that in which his head was to the wind--amounted to a great many miles2 and so far was he from being tired at any time1 that he would stoop at and hit the lure1 and yet refuse to hold it1 and go up again to the soar4 ,few hawks will do this willingly2 they must often be induced by some device of the trainer to keep on the wing2 and it is impossible to fly such hawks too much4 ,with respect to food1 the matter is altogether different4 ,it is just as easy to overfeed a hawk as to underfeed her4 ,but what trainer can ever be sure that he has always exactly hit off the golden mean8 ,gers1 peregrines1 and all the hawks which resemble the peregrine1 desert-hawks1 hobbies1 eagles1 goshawks1 and female sparrow-hawks1 are fed1 as a rule1 once a day--peregrines well2 eagles1 goshawks1 and the desert-hawks more sparingly4 ,merlins of both sexes and male sparrow-hawks twice2 but lightly on one at least of the two occasions4 ,raw beef is generally the staple food of the big hawks2 but it should not be tough1 and should be often varied by a rather lighter diet of bullock's heart1 rabbit1 fowl1 or pigeon4 ,merlins and sparrow-hawks should be fed chiefly on small birds1 and in default of these on sheep's heart1 rabbit1 young fowls1 or exceedingly tender mutton or beef4 ,this sort of diet will also be good for hobbies and kestrels2 but it is not necessary to be so nice with them1 and they can be regaled with coarser food1 as long as it is not tough4 ,but they must also have a freshly-killed small bird occasionally4 ,goshawks will thrive upon rats1 weasels1 squirrels1 rooks1 and1 in short1 almost any kind of bird or animal1 except water-hens1 which are indigestible and apt to bring them out of yarak4 ,but a goshawk in good flying order should not be kept for long upon coarse food1 but indulged now and then at least with viands of the best quality4 ,mice are capital food1 not only for kestrels and hobbies1 but for merlins and sparrow-hawks1 and may be given whole to any kind of hawk by way of castings4 ,eagles are not particular as to diet2 but they should have plenty of tirings1 and their meat will be none the worse for being a bit tough4 ,eagles and all short-winged hawks should have a gorge1 that is to say1 as much as they choose to eat1 about three times in a fortnight1 and on the following day should be very sparingly fed4 ,eagles1 indeed1 and some female goshawks need not be fed at all1 if they are to be flown at wild quarry on the second day after their full meal4 ,but none of the smaller hawks will stand anything approaching to starvation2 and to leave a male sparrow-hawk or merlin without food for twenty-four hours would probably do him a permanent injury1 or at all events ruin his chance of doing himself any justice in the field for a long time to come4 ,in the case of these1 and indeed all the long-winged hawks1 when in constant exercise at wild quarry1 ,i am not quite sure that any good is done by giving any gorges at all4 ,i never do so with merlins in the lark season2 and yet ,i have killed with one of them over thirty larks in succession without a miss4 ,granting that in their wild state all hawks occasionally gorge themselves1 it must be remembered that trained hawks are not in a wild state4 ,the analogy is not a just or true one1 any more than it would be to argue from the habits of ,red ,indians to those expedient for a white man in training4 ,however1 there can be no great harm1 even if there is no great advantage1 in giving a gorge to a peregrine once a week4 ,it is a practice consecrated by old tradition and precept3 and it is not for us degenerate modern amateurs to lightly discard the maxims of the age of chivalry4 ,in saying that peregrines and other big hawks are fed once a day1 it is not meant that they should never taste a morsel of food except their one solid meal4 ,small tit-bits will be forthcoming at odd times1 as for instance in the early morning1 when they are moved from the perch to the block1 or taken to bathe1 or to be carried4 ,they will pick a little from the tirings at which they are almost every day set to work4 ,there is no need to be stingy with these odds-and-ends2 indeed1 the old falconers would very often give their falcons quite a small meal when they hooded up for the field1 or a little before4 ,one ancient writer declares that a falcon will eat the wing of a fowl1 and two hours afterwards be quite fit to fly4 ,another recommends his readers always to feed eyess peregrines twice a day1 but of course moderately4 ,the exact amount of food which it is proper to give to each hawk cannot be specified even very approximately4 ,for amongst the same class of hawks1 nay1 amongst hawks which actually came from the same nest1 will be found individuals with quite different sorts of appetites4 ,one of them will grow too thin upon rations that make her sister1 or even her brother1 too fat4 ,nevertheless1 taking the average of a number of hawks of the same species1 it is possible to arrive at a rough estimate of what is usually required4 ,the allowance always prescribed for a peregrine falcon is one-third of a pound of beef4 ,tiercels1 therefore1 will require about a quarter of a pound2 and other ,english hawks must be provided for on about the same scale1 i4e4 the amount of food1 if very solid1 should weigh nearly one-seventh of the total weight of the bird fed4 ,the desert-hawks1 however1 are much smaller feeders4 ,a saker1 for instance1 looks about as large as a gerfalcon4 ,but it was computed that a trained ger would eat three times as much as a saker4 ,the power of fasting of these hawks is naturally very great2 and they should have great gorges1 with intervals of very spare feeding4 ,on the other hand1 the small hawks eat a great deal more in proportion to their size than the large ones4 ,a whole skylark1 of average dimensions1 given freshly killed1 with all the blood warm in it1 is not quite enough for a merlin's daily ration1 but would be about right for most jacks4 ,the ladies1 when doing hard work1 require about four larks in three days4 ,a starling or blackbird is about the right daily meal for a female hobby1 but rather too little for a female sparrow-hawk1 and decidedly too much for a musket or robin4 ,a sparrow without its feathers weighs an ounce1 as nearly as may be2 and two whole sparrows a day is a very ample allowance for a merlin1 even when flying both morning and evening4 ,probably this would be about the fair quantity to keep a female hobby in good condition4 ,a sparrow and a half would be about sufficient for a jack1 a robin1 or a musket4 ,an ounce of beef is of course a heavier meal than an ounce of sparrow1 but it may be doubted whether it will give a small hawk more strength or courage1 though it will sustain him longer4 ,it is needless to say that the apportionment of food to each individual hawk becomes a more difficult matter in proportion as the hawk is smaller4 ,a mistake of an ounce1 one way or the other1 is no great matter in the case of a ger or a falcon1 but give a jack-merlin an ounce too much or an ounce too little1 and you may very soon find out your mistake in a most practical way4 ,sometimes a jack will eat more--and need more--than his own sisters or any merlin in the establishment4 ,sometimes1 but more rarely1 a single merlin will want nearly as much as two jacks4 ,tiercel peregrines1 barbarys1 and others1 sometimes1 but rarely1 require almost as much as a falcon4 ,a hawk which has throughout her life never known what it is to be thin can generally be kept in high condition on less food than one which has once been below par4 ,fortunate is the man who has been able to train his hawk without ever putting her on short commons1 and has always been able1 by skill or luck1 or both combined1 to fly her just at the time when she was keen enough and yet not over-hungry4 ,such hawks have the best chance of turning out well2 and among them may probably be numbered many of those whose names are glorious in the annals of the sport4 ,a hawk's condition may be tested to a certain limited extent by passing a finger down her breast-bone1 and by feeling the broad pectoral muscles on each side of the breast between the forefinger and thumb4 ,some indications may also be got by gently pinching the muscles of the leg1 to ascertain whether they are full and hard4 ,but these are very rough tokens to judge from4 ,one hawk will fly her best when almost as fat as a wild one1 and when the sternum is hardly more prominent than it is in a partridge2 whereas others1 when fed up to this condition1 will do no serious work1 but go off soaring on their own account1 or take perch in a tree or rick1 and stare unconcernedly at the lure as if they had no conception that it had any attractions for them4 ,the experienced falconer will form a better judgment as to the condition of his hawk from the manner in which she flies4 ,there is a power and ease of motion about a full-fleshed hawk1 a force in her stoop1 and a sort of pride about her every movement1 which one looks for in vain in a hawk in poor condition4 ,thin hawks fly in a laboured way against a strong wind1 instead of facing it easily and appearing to rejoice in their victory over it1 utilising its very opposition to lift them up1 and sailing on it like a stiff yacht in a gale4 ,weak flying may result from overfeeding as well as underfeeding4 ,but in the one case the style appears too heavy2 and in the other1 too light4 ,it is1 however1 very easy to mistake the symptoms1 and to imagine that a hawk wants reducing when in fact she wants feeding up4 ,the result1 of course1 of such faulty diagnosis will be that the treatment applied as a remedy aggravates the mischief already done4 ,it is much easier to reduce a hawk than to get flesh on her again4 ,the beginner should therefore be very sure that his hawk has been overfed before he shortens her daily supply of food4 ,by making a mistake on the other side1 and feeding up a hawk which is already a bit above herself1 the worst inconvenience that is likely to follow1 in the case of an eyess1 is a little delay in getting her down to the lure4 ,passage hawks1 especially for a while after they have first been reclaimed1 are of course liable to be lost if too highly fed1 for when disinclined to come to the lure or fist they are apt to rake away after chance quarry4 ,but they may be full-fleshed and strong1 and yet be eager for their food4 ,it is a great mistake1 though a very common one1 to suppose that a thin hawk is necessarily a hungry one4 ,whether a hawk is fat or thin is a question of days1 whereas it is a question of hours whether she is hungry or not4 ,for instance1 a peregrine may have had nearly a full crop every day for a week1 and yet if on the eighth day she has only a very light feed in the morning she will be as hungry as a hunter on the ninth day in the afternoon4 ,the tendency nowadays is rather to overfeed hawks1 and to forget the old maxim about a fat hawk making a lean horse and an empty purse4 ,the amateur has been so loudly warned against keeping a thin hawk that in avoiding this reproach he falls into the other extreme1 and attempts to fly his hawk when she is really not sharp-set at all4 ,washed meat--so commonly used by the old falconers1 that it may almost be said to have been a normal daily diet--is now but rarely given1 unless1 indeed1 where a parsimonious or careless owner has neglected to provide fresh meat1 and tainted beef is soaked and squeezed so as to make it available as food4 ,the proper mode of preparing washed meat is to take it when quite fresh and immerse it for a while in cold water1 and then dry it in a warm place4 ,part of its nutritive power--of its goodness1 in fact--will then have disappeared1 and what remains will digest quickly1 leaving the hawk more keen and sooner hungry than if she had swallowed the same quantity of unwashed meat4 ,for the smaller hawks it is less suitable than for the larger2 and if it is desired to take them down a peg or two1 it will generally be found best either to resort to a diet naturally light1 such as rabbit or sheep's heart1 or to reduce a little in quantity the accustomed allowance of their usual food4 ,when a merlin is a bit bumptious1 independent1 and disobedient1 her morning ration may be curtailed1 or in feeding up after the day's exercise she may be indulged only with a good half-crop1 instead of the habitual three-quarters4 ,when a peregrine or hawk of similar habits is inclined to be uppish1 and to disdain the dead lure1 it is a good plan1 besides being a shade stingy at dinner-time1 to fly her each day at least an hour later than the day before4 ,when1 in this way1 her time of flying has got to be so late that it cannot be deferred till later on the following day1 give her a gorge1 or at least a very full meal1 when she has done flying1 and on the next day1 an hour after she has cast1 give her quite a light feed1 and do not fly her at all till the day after at noon4 ,sakers1 lanners1 and that class of hawks must be rather sternly treated if they get above themselves1 for their nature is to support long fasts without much trouble4 ,and eagles1 of course1 must sometimes be almost starved a little4 ,remember always that the food given to a trained hawk belongs to one or other of several categories1 which rank differently as regards nutritive power4 ,highest on the list is the flesh of birds or other animals eaten immediately after they are killed1 while the life-blood is still warm within them4 ,the meals of wild hawks are1 as a rule1 of this description2 and these accordingly1 by virtue of their diet1 as well as of their habits1 are the most vigorous and healthy of all4 ,next in order comes the flesh of such creatures as have been killed long enough to grow cold4 ,and in the last rank must be placed washed meat--artificially reduced to its least nutritive character4 ,when it is desired to improve the condition of a hawk1 food of the first class will most quickly and most surely effect the object4 ,any hawk which is found to be below par should have at the first opportunity at least one bloody crop1 i4e4 should either be allowed to take her pleasure on some quarry which she has herself killed1 or be indulged with a pigeon1 duck1 fowl1 or other animal which has just been killed4 ,the flesh of animals1 whether freshly killed or not1 differs a good deal in quality4 ,pigeons1 duck1 plovers1 and sparrows are about the most nourishing2 chickens1 rabbits1 quails1 larks1 and mice1 somewhat less so4 ,the flesh of rooks1 gulls1 magpies1 water-hens1 and coots is not very palatable2 and some trained hawks will not touch it4 ,none are likely to improve in condition if fed upon it4 ,there is nothing a trained hawk likes better than good tender beef1 especially if it is slightly warmed before being given4 ,it is also very sustaining1 and will increase a hawk's weight rapidly1 when a generous allowance of it is made4 ,it is1 however1 much heavier and more solid than the natural food of any hawk1 and therefore apt1 if freely given1 to make her dull1 slow1 and sluggish4 ,for sparrow-hawks and merlins it is distinctly bad1 if often taken1 and in large quantities at a time4 ,these latter1 when in flying order at the right season of the year1 are1 of course1 almost always fed up in the field on the quarry they have last killed before finishing their day's work1 and the next morning have a few mouthfuls of similar food which has been killed the afternoon before4 ,when a rook-hawk will readily feed up in the same way on her vanquished quarry1 it will be convenient1 occasionally at least1 to let her do so4 ,game-hawks should also be allowed sometimes to take their pleasure on their own grouse1 partridge1 pheasant1 or even woodcock2 but in practice they are seldom lucky enough to get more than the heads and necks1 though modern falconers who fly mostly for sport1 and not for the pot1 are often more liberal in this respect than their predecessors of the ,middle ,ages4 ,goshawks1 when kept to hares1 or indeed to any quarry which taxes their utmost powers1 should often be allowed to finish their meal on one of their victims4 ,between whiles they may often with advantage be regaled with washed meat only1 or some not very appetising food4 ,it is well to induce all hawks to believe that a kill after a hard flight means an extra good feast4 ,but merlins and male sparrow-hawks must very seldom1 if at all1 know the taste of washed meat1 or of any third-rate diet4 ,some of them1 when in first-rate fettle1 are very dainty1 and will lose the pink of their condition if not indulged with their favourite food4 ,these little hawks are exceedingly fond of swallows and some other very small birds2 and although few people would be barbarous enough to deliberately kill any small bird except a sparrow1 yet if a young martin should be picked up under the nest from which it has accidentally fallen1 and given to a merlin1 it will be odd if that hawk does not fly unusually well when next put on the wing4 ,in the lark-hawking season1 one of these active workers will not only keep herself in food1 but often supply enough extra victims to provide a daily meal of the very best kind for a tiercel1 or even a falcon1 which happens then to be in moult4 ,the short-winged hawks will also sometimes in one afternoon kill more than they could themselves eat in a week4 ,a not unimportant item of the commissariat is a supply of good tirings4 ,a tiring may consist of anything tough which is appetising enough for a hawk to keep pulling and picking at it to satisfy her hunger4 ,for tiercels and all hawks of about the same size1 rabbits' or leverets' feet1 with the lower part of the leg1 make capital tirings4 ,so do the necks of fowls and ducks1 which a falconer should always cause to be reserved for him when any poultry is slain for the kitchen4 ,the foot of an old hare is not too tough for a strong falcon4 ,the small hawks will generally be kept employed for a good many minutes by the two outer joints of a duck's or old pigeon's wing4 ,these tirings should be given whenever a hawk is short of exercise1 or fidgety on the block or perch4 ,their effect is not only to strengthen all the muscles--for it is quite hard work picking the scanty scraps of food off the bones and skin amongst which they lie hid--but also to engross the attention of the hawk1 which would otherwise very possibly be pining more or less sadly for freedom1 and often jumping off in the vain endeavour to attain to that blessing4 ,the frequent picking of bones also keeps a hawk's beak from growing down at the point to an unnatural length4 ,a man who tells you that he often has to cope his hawk stands detected of being in the habit of not giving her sufficient tirings4 ,another most valuable use of these tough morsels has been already referred to4 ,it is discovered during the first period of manning the hawk1 when the necessary job of carrying is found to be ten times more agreeable and better performed if1 while the pupil has perforce to stand on the fist1 she has some inducement to do so in the shape of a fowl's drumstick or the wing of a goose1 off which almost all the meat has already been picked4 ,no better advice is given by ,mr4 ,freeman--though every one of his counsels is admirable--than to prolong as much as possible the meals which a half-trained hawk takes on the fist4 ,often the delicacy on which you are regaling her will be tender in one part and tough in another4 ,for instance1 it may be the full-fleshed leg of some fowl1 off which the meat can easily be torn1 with a part of the back1 consisting chiefly of skin and bone4 ,if your rather shy pupil takes kindly to the least manageable part of her appointed dinner1 let her pick at it1 and laboriously polish with many applications of her beak the ill-covered bones of the back1 stroking her from time to time with a pencil or with the right hand4 ,possibly she will not yet stand such acts of familiarity1 but bate off4 ,when she is on the fist again1 let her recommence operations without taking any liberties with her4 ,reserve your attentions with the stick for the time when she will be busy discussing the more succulent morsels in the menu1 and when she is more likely to submit1 without much protest1 to the indignity of being stroked4 ,so also1 while she is pulling contentedly at the juiciest parts of the joint1 you may take her more freely into the presence of men1 horses1 dogs1 and children--in fact1 introduce her to more society4 ,the bolder you become the more inclined she will be to let her mistrust prevail over her fondness for the feast1 and the less exclusively she will confine her attention to it4 ,thus a pigeon's wing1 which it would take a fully-trained tiercel less than five minutes to dispose of1 may1 with a falcon caught only a fortnight ago1 engage her attention for nearly half an hour4 ,with tirings there will often be a small quantity of castings which will be swallowed with the pickings of meat4 ,the trainer must judge for himself whether enough of them has been thus taken during the day to form a proper pellet1 or whether more should be given in another way4 ,in feeding up upon quarry which they have themselves killed1 whether on the fist or on the ground1 hawks will almost always naturally take castings enough4 ,but when the meal consists of beef1 or of anything that has been skinned or plucked quite bare1 it will be necessary either to add some feathers or fur1 or the like1 scattering it about on the meat which the hawk is about to swallow1 or else the casting may consist of a strip of skin with fur or feathers left on it1 and a piece of meat at one end4 ,while swallowing the meat the hawk will gulp down the skin attached to it1 and thus with one or two mouthfuls give herself the required quantity of castings4 ,some falconers make up the casting into a sort of pill1 and cram their hawks with it2 and ,i believe this plan answers the purpose very well1 though ,i have seldom if ever tried it4 ,it is not1 of course1 necessary to give castings every day4 ,but they are generally beneficial1 and always1 as far as ,i know1 harmless4 ,some of the old falconers advise not to give castings on days when a hawk has bathed2 but ,i am unable to give the reason for this4 ,castings are taken daily by wild hawks1 which certainly have less need of them than tame ones4 ,and if1 through laziness or any other cause1 the falconer omits for days in succession to give any1 it is pretty certain that his hawk's crop and stomach will become clogged with a sort of mucus1 which will either make her dull1 sluggish1 and morose1 or otherwise impair her general health4 ,castings should be given rather late in the day than early2 and after they have been taken the hawk must always be kept unhooded at about the time when she may be expected to throw them up1 i4e4 from about the fifth hour after she has swallowed the casting1 until she has cast4 ,for this reason1 if for no other1 when it is intended to train passage hawks in any place1 it must always be possible to darken artificially a part of the room1 so that hawks can sit there bareheaded on the perch after castings have been given4 ,another article which may in a sense be included in the category of diet1 is one which will somewhat surprise the reader who has heard nothing about falconry before4 ,this is rangle1 which is nothing more nor less than small stones or pebbles1 swallowed after the manner of castings1 and with a similar purpose and effect4 ,after being taken into the crop these exceedingly indigestible delicacies--popularly supposed to be dear to ostriches only--collect around themselves by some special process of attraction a quantity of that same mucus which is apt to accumulate in a hawk's internal organism4 ,when afterwards they are thrown up--for not even the greediest goshawk will actually assimilate stones--they come up with this oily coating adhering to them1 having operated as a sort of emetic1 without any of the disagreeable concomitants of physicking with drugs4 ,why the purpose for which rangle is given cannot be as effectually accomplished by simple castings of feather or fur1 ,i am afraid ,i cannot explain 2 but these latter do not appear to be able to clear the hawk's inside of the particular kind of superfluous humours which are extracted by the harder substance4 ,possibly the weight of pebbles causes them to descend farther into the crop1 and thus clear it more thoroughly than any such light material as can be given by way of castings4 ,for the small hawks rangle may be given by scattering a few pinches of rather fine gravel on the meat at which they are picking4 ,it is a good plan also to scatter about1 close to the blocks of any hawks for which a dose of this kind is thought good1 a few stones of a round smooth shape1 varying in size from that of a horse-bean for a falcon1 to that of a sweet-pea seed for a jack-merlin4 ,the patient often knows instinctively when such a dose is likely to do her good1 and swallows one or more of the stones voluntarily4 ,if she does not1 and it is thought advisable that she should be dosed whether she likes it or not1 the hawk may be cast1 and the tasteless pill slipped into her mouth1 and pushed down with a small stick4 ,latham1 who was a great stickler for rangle1 tells a quaint story of a hawk which he owned4 ,he stuffed her with sixteen stones1 which she threw up in due course4 ,the stones were picked up and washed1 and put down again near the hawk's block on the following evening4 ,and every day for a month successively this very accommodating hawk voluntarily picked up and swallowed some dozen of the stones1 which were daily collected1 washed1 and put down again4 ,when a hawk1 after moulting1 is taken out1 or drawn1 as the old writers call it1 from the mews1 it is generally beneficial to give her rangle4 ,hack hawks1 when taken up1 are often all the better for it2 and when a hawk seems dull1 or displays dyspeptic symptoms1 she may not unfrequently be cured off-hand by the same simple expedient4 ,every evening the falconer1 having fed up all his hawks 7and possibly himself7 and noted down in his register what has been killed or done by each of them1 should collect all the bodies or pelts of the slain which have not been used as food1 and bestow them in a separate place in his larder1 so that the results of one day's campaigning may not get mixed up with those of a previous day1 and it may be known how long each unfortunate has been killed4 ,in hot weather no small bird1 and very few other things1 are fit to be given to a hawk if they have been dead more than twenty-four hours4 ,in the tropics1 of course1 meat goes bad still more quickly2 and at about tiffin-time everything which has been killed earlier than on the same day should be cleared out of the hawks' larder4 ,if the falconer can get to roost soon after his charges he will think himself fortunate4 ,for the making up of his diary is1 on busy days1 quite a business in itself4 ,then it is possible that some accident has occurred4 ,if there has been a broken feather1 the damaged hawk must be imped4 ,if one is amiss1 measures must be taken for applying the proper remedies4 ,if a jess is worn1 it must be replaced4 ,but the worst trouble is if a hawk has been left out4 ,then the wretched falconer must make up his mind to set forth before daybreak on a long and weary search4 ,but of these pains and griefs1 to which the poor man may always be a victim1 we shall have to speak in future chapters4 ,,chapter ,,xiv ,hawks in the ,field ,half an hour or so before the time appointed for starting to the field1 the falconer will begin to hood up those hawks which are to be taken out4 ,each of them1 if in proper order1 will jump from the block or the perch to his fist as soon as he extends it within reach4 ,for some of them it will be a very simple matter to slip on a hood2 and without further ado they will be placed on the cadge and the leash made fast to it4 ,others which have only lately completed their training1 or which have not yet quite mastered a dislike to the hood1 may be first indulged by the production of a tiring1 and before or just after they begin to pull at it may be hooded with such dexterity as the operator can boast of4 ,a good hooder is also a quick hooder2 but nothing is more likely to make a man bungle his business than to set about it in a hurry at the last moment1 just before it is time to start4 ,the cadge1 if a cadge is to be taken out1 being placed in a sheltered spot1 with its occupants ranged along it and safely attached1 all the requisite paraphernalia to be carried must be properly stowed away either in some vehicle or in the falconer's pouches or pockets4 ,for every person who is to take any active part in the day's proceedings1 it will be well to have a lure which he can easily carry4 ,each such man should also reserve at least one pocket1 unless he wears a pouch1 in which he can put a spare hood and a spare leash4 ,when it is expected that a live lure may be required1 the bird which is to serve the purpose should be accommodated with comfortable quarters in which he cannot be shaken or knocked about1 or be cramped or short of air4 ,the man who carries the cadge must be instructed or reminded as to his duties--how to set down the cadge under the lee of a rick or fence or other shelter1 and1 having done so1 to keep his eyes open1 and act as a marker4 ,some code of signals may generally be agreed upon for informing the cadge man from a distance when he is to go forward with his burden and in what direction4 ,if the party is to include any people who have never been out hawking before1 they should be warned as to running or riding in1 and requested to stand still whenever a rook or other quarry makes towards them as a shelter from the stoop4 ,the falconer himself should carry a spare leash and hood or two1 some string which can be unwound quickly without kinking1 and a supply of small coins wherewith to reward farm-labourers or other rustics who1 in case of a lost hawk1 may give useful information4 ,he should also have a field-block or two1 or at least some pegs for pegging down a hawk by her leash1 and a certain provision of food for feeding up hawks which may have failed to kill anything1 or which are not to be allowed to regale themselves upon the quarry which they may take4 ,if the place where the hawks are to be flown is close at hand1 and there are not more hawks to be taken out than there are men to carry them1 a cadge may sometimes be dispensed with altogether1 and the light blocks which have been described as field-blocks can be brought instead1 taking care that there are enough of them for each hawk 7except the one which is for the time being about to be flown7 to be supplied with one when it is desired to put her down4 ,in some cases the hawk or hawks may even be taken out bareheaded1 as for instance when three merlins are carried by three men1 each of whom knows how to manage his part of the day's business4 ,but in most cases where more than two hawks have to be flown1 it will be found best to hood up all except the one which is first to be thrown off4 ,for a hawk which is bareheaded on the fist or on a field-block will bate very much if she sees a flight is going on in which she cannot take part4 ,moreover1 the man who is carrying an unhooded hawk cannot follow a flight freely in which another hawk is engaged1 and1 after assisting at the start1 finds himself obliged to see hawk and quarry sail away out of sight1 while compelled to stand almost still1 rendering no service even as a marker1 and left in the lurch1 with a toilsome walk or ride before him1 which very possibly he may not accomplish before another flight starts1 in which he will have even less part or lot4 ,in every kind of hawking the marshalling of the field is a most important matter2 so much so that success or failure sometimes depends upon the manner in which the quarry has been walked up or approached4 ,for instance1 in the pursuit of rooks1 gulls1 and larks1 the chances of a kill are comparatively remote if the quarry is down-wind when the hawk is thrown off4 ,on the other hand1 in game-hawking1 the pursuer has a much better chance if the first stoop is made down-wind4 ,consequently1 in beating for grouse or partridges1 the falconer will start proceedings from the windward edge of his country1 and keep the game1 as far as he can1 always down-wind of his line of beaters2 whereas in the other cases the hawking party will begin to leeward1 and proceed as nearly as possible with their faces to the wind4 ,in other words1 a hawk flown from the fist should be flown up-wind at her quarry1 and one which waits on should start down-wind at it4 ,so well established is this principle that when a rook is espied on the ground to leeward1 a whole party of mounted men will sometimes make a circuit of a mile in length1 in order to make sure of getting the wind of him and giving the falcon a fair chance4 ,when there is anything of a wind1 it is advisable for a lark-hawker1 after making a beat to windward1 to return on his own tracks1 with what is called a dead beat1 and start afresh on another march parallel to the first1 so as to avoid putting up a lark while walking in the wrong direction1 and being reduced to the alternative of either letting the merlin go on a sort of fool's errand1 or disappointing and vexing her by holding on to the jesses when she jumps off4 ,the posting of markers is a matter requiring some skill and care1 even in the case where the falconer is well acquainted with his country4 ,it will be found of the greatest possible advantage to have plenty of markers1 especially where1 as is often the case in game-hawking1 all or most of the men are unmounted4 ,before beginning to try the ground1 the falconer should detach men or boys to post themselves down-wind in positions where they can command the most extensive view1 and1 as it were1 guard the approaches to any covert for which the quarry is likely to make4 ,often it can be predicted with tolerable certainty which plantation a rook or lark will choose as his place of refuge1 or at which thick hedge or piece of tall roots or of standing crops a partridge will try to put in4 ,often1 of course1 there are two or more spinnies or sheltering-places1 either of which may attract the fugitive4 ,if these places are within sight of any marker with a good pair of eyes1 he will be able to tell the first comer-up whether the flight ended in either of them1 or went on in another direction4 ,without such information much valuable time may be wasted in searching a covert where neither hawk nor quarry is to be found4 ,markers are more useful down-wind than up4 ,for in all long flights where the quarry takes the air1 he is pretty sure1 when hard pressed1 to turn in that direction1 whilst in game-hawking it is always the object of the beaters to drive the birds down-wind4 ,any marker1 upon seeing a kill or a put-in1 should note as accurately as he can the exact spot1 and then stand still at his post until he can communicate with one of the field4 ,in open country all markers should remain at a distance of about half a mile from the man carrying the hawk to be flown1 and should shift their position rapidly to another vantage-ground whenever the space between them and the hawking party is much diminished or increased4 ,in rook-hawking the lookers-on must be mounted2 and their horses ought either to be very sure-footed or else well acquainted with the ground on which the flights take place1 which is often covered with ant-hills1 and in places bored by rabbit burrows4 ,if the rider is to see anything of the longest and best flights1 his horse must be able to step out in a gallop of a mile or so4 ,in game- and lark-hawking it is less necessary1 and often impossible1 for the men to be mounted2 but in these cases also it is of very great advantage for at least one man to ride1 so that he may follow a very long flight with a better chance of keeping the hawk in view4 ,the horseman has a double advantage when the country is uneven4 ,he can go faster1 and he can also from his place in the saddle see farther over the brow of a hill or undulation4 ,but ground which undulates in long ridges and valleys is to be mistrusted by falconers4 ,when a flight1 commenced in one valley1 goes over the ridge which separates it from the next1 it is impossible1 unless there is a marker on that ridge1 to know where it may have ended4 ,here the falconer1 for once in his life1 may hope that the ground on the other side is not too open1 and that there may be some small covert not far off in which the quarry is pretty sure to have stopped if he got so far4 ,when a hawk goes out of sight over a ridge1 the men following on horseback should begin to spread out like a fan1 and ride on1 keeping a good look-out for anything that may indicate the direction which the flight has taken4 ,when a flight ends successfully1 every person in the field should halt at a hundred yards or so from the place where the hawk is on the ground with the quarry in her foot4 ,the falconer1 or whoever it was that threw off the hawk1 will use his own judgment as to when he will make in and take her up1 and must go alone about this business1 which1 as we have seen1 is sometimes delicate enough4 ,although it is an unpardonable mistake to make in too quickly1 so as to alarm the hawk1 yet it is not wise to defer too long the business of taking up4 ,for it is always possible that a stray dog may rush in1 or some other accident occur which may frighten the hawk just at the time when you most wish to save her from any such alarm4 ,if for any reason you wish your hawk to eat her quarry where she has killed1 attach the leash to her jesses and to a peg in the ground1 or to a field-block1 leaving a man to watch her and keep a sharp look-out against intruders4 ,although in the very open country1 where alone the long-winged hawks ought to be flown1 there are not many interlopers in the shape of stray dogs or tourists1 yet it is wonderful how1 with a little bad luck at his heels1 the falconer may be annoyed by unexpected intruders4 ,i well remember a valuable hawk being lost on ,salisbury ,plain1 not far from ,stonehenge1 by the appearance on the scene of an object which one would hardly expect to see there1 three miles from the nearest village4 ,the hawk1 which was a bit shy to take up1 was discussing a well-earned meal upon a heap of stones by the side of a cart-road1 when along this road came a nurse-maid with a gaudy-hooded perambulator4 ,she got past the hawk1 but not without exciting a large share of its attention4 ,unfortunately1 however1 she caught sight of the falconers hurrying up1 and then of the hawk1 and with that feeling of curiosity which seems to be strongly developed in the genus nurse-maid1 turned the perambulator round1 and began wheeling it straight towards the hawk4 ,this was altogether too much for the latter4 ,convinced that some deadly mischief lurked in the strange machine approaching1 she picked up the remains of her quarry1 and1 taking it off with her1 could not be afterwards approached4 ,only when the falconer is seen to have secured the victorious hawk1 and attached the leash to her jesses1 is it permitted to the field to go up4 ,when time is precious1 and there are a lot of hawks to be flown1 the line of march may proceed1 leaving the work of taking up the successful hawk to him who flew her2 and when the next quarry is put up1 the next hawk in order may be thrown off by the man who carries her4 ,otherwise it is best to get one flight altogether done with before another is started4 ,when the quarry has beaten off his pursuers and got away1 a lure or lures must be put in requisition2 and one man1 if he can be spared1 should remain1 with lure in hand1 near the place where the hawk1 if out of sight1 was last seen4 ,the others will follow on1 more or less quickly1 in the direction she seemed to take4 ,all trained hawks have a certain inclination to return after an unsuccessful chase towards the place from which they started in pursuit2 and the man to whom the easy duty of standing still is allotted generally has as good a chance of taking up such a hawk as any one of those who have walked or ridden forward4 ,when the quarry puts in1 and the place is known or shrewdly guessed at1 generally all the field may participate more or less directly in the work of getting him out4 ,in magpie- and blackbird-hawking1 this routing out of the quarry is one of the most animated parts of the day's proceedings4 ,but everything must be done under the control and direction of the head falconer4 ,an amateur may do more harm than good1 nay1 may spoil the whole job and disgust the hawk1 by blundering on and driving out the half-vanquished fugitive in a wrong direction1 or at an ill-chosen moment4 ,the falconer himself learns by long experience many of the little ways of birds that have put in--on which side of a fence they will most likely be found2 whether inside a hedge or in the long grass or weeds outside it2 which way his head is likely to be turned2 and whether he may be expected to jump up readily at a man's first appearance1 or to sit still and allow himself to be taken up in the hand or kicked up with the foot4 ,after a hard flight1 in which he was getting much the worst of it1 the latter is a likely event2 whereas if the hawk was making a poor show1 and did not press him hard1 he will be more ready to start again with fresh hopes of escape4 ,some judgment is sometimes required to decide whether in any particular case it is advisable to drive out quarry which has put in1 or to pick him up with the hand1 if he will allow this1 or to leave him alone altogether4 ,this last alternative is not so unlikely to be preferable as a beginner might imagine4 ,suppose1 for instance1 that a very good rook1 after a hard flight with a young falcon1 has managed to get to a small tree which stands by itself1 at a distance of a quarter of a mile or less from a wood or big plantation4 ,the hawk waits on1 but rather wide4 ,by sending a boy up into the tree1 you think you may most likely get the rook out4 ,will you do so1 or leave him alone1 and take down the falcon to the lure8 ,if you rout the rook out1 it is about ten to one that he will get safe to the big covert4 ,the hawk1 if at all wide when he makes his attempt1 will hardly have time in so short a distance to make even one stoop1 and far less a fatal one4 ,you will have disappointed her1 and perhaps disgusted her greatly with the job of flying at rooks1 never the most attractive of quarry4 ,many a good falconer will prefer to call down the hawk1 and1 leaving the rook to congratulate himself on his escape1 reserve her for a fresh start at a quarry which she will have a fairer chance of catching4 ,in lark-hawking1 unless the country is extremely open1 cases of this kind often present themselves4 ,on the other hand1 if there is a really good prospect of a successful flight when the fugitive is routed out1 it is1 of course1 very encouraging to the hawk to put him up4 ,every effort should be made to do this when the hawk is waiting on in a good position1 so that1 having killed1 she may be pleased with the whole performance1 including the men's share in it1 and may perhaps imagine that the reason the quarry was got out so conveniently for her was because she waited on well4 ,hawks1 whether waiting on in the air or at perch in a good place1 soon get to know very well what the men are about when hunting up a bird that has put in4 ,in the case of merlins1 which naturally stand by on the ground while a lark is being searched for1 it is almost always better to take them up on the fist as soon as it is determined to pick up or try to capture the quarry4 ,otherwise the lark1 having his wits about him1 may take advantage of a moment when the hawk is looking the wrong way1 and slip off unseen by her4 ,moreover1 even if she sees him go1 she will not start from the ground with so good a chance as from the elevation1 small though it is1 of your fist4 ,as for sparrow-hawks and goshawks1 they may1 when a quarry puts in1 either be called to the hand or allowed to wait close by at the standpoint which they themselves chose4 ,many of them prefer the latter plan whenever there is a tree handy1 as from it they get a better view and more impetus for their stoop4 ,lanners1 when flown at partridges in an enclosed country1 may also be encouraged to go to perch in this way4 ,there are some occasions when it is quite permissible to capture with the hand a bird which has put in4 ,suppose that you are carrying a first-rate merlin which is short of work and for which you are particularly anxious to find hard flights and plenty of them4 ,now1 when a lark gets up which is either so young or so deep in the moult that he cannot live long in the air before such a merlin1 you are in presence of that very eventuality which you most wished to avoid4 ,there is the prospect of a quick and easy kill1 which is about the least likely thing in the world to encourage a hawk to a severe flight afterwards4 ,the best that you can hope for is that the lark1 seeing his inferiority1 as he is sure to do1--for all wild birds are very good judges of such a matter1--will flop down in front of the hawk--or just behind her1 if the first stoop has been avoided--in some place where there is just enough covert for the hawk to be unable to espy and jump upon him4 ,then1 when you come up1 the lark1 which knows as well as you do what fate awaits him if he gets up again1 will be very likely indeed to let you seize him in your hand4 ,will you1 then1 let that bad lark go before that good merlin8 ,not if you have any wish to keep up or improve the excellence of the latter4 ,if you have in the background an inferior hawk to enter1 or to encourage after an unsuccessful flight1 you may start her at the captured lark1 taking great care that she does not know that he has ever been captured4 ,or you may consign him to a safe place where he will not be damaged1 and save him for a time when a bagged lark may be of invaluable service to you as a live lure for a lost hawk4 ,or what you will probably like best will be to let him go when no merlin is by4 ,similar cases will occur with other quarry and other hawks2 but they are pretty frequent in the case of larks1 which at moulting-time differ more than any other birds in their pluck and powers of flying4 ,when a hawk is new to the work of taking wild quarry she should be allowed to kill it and to break in and eat at least some part of it4 ,but when she is au fait at the business the humane man will often be glad if he can save the victim's life1 and this he will not unfrequently be able to do4 ,unless the quarry has been struck on the head or has a wing broken1 no real damage is at all likely to have been done except in cases where the particular hawk has a specially hard stoop of her own1 and is fond of cutting down her quarry instead of binding to it4 ,for herons1 gulls1 rooks1 and larks1 after they have been taken1 it is often pretty easy for the falconer1 if he is up in reasonable time1 to substitute the pelt of another bird which has been killed before4 ,as ,i write this page ,i hear the singing of a lark in a cage before me which was captured by ,jubilee after a long ringing flight1 and saved from him while he was recovering his wind4 ,when it is found necessary to get bagged larks for entering a hobby--,i have sometimes used one for entering merlins--they may be obtained in this way4 ,stick two wattled hurdles into the ground three inches apart and side by side in the middle of a very big field where there are larks4 ,stuff up the space between the two hurdles with loose straw1 all except about a foot at each end4 ,then take out a merlin and beat the field1 driving towards the hurdles4 ,when a lark gets up1 if the hawk presses him hard1 he will go to the shelter which is so inviting4 ,then taking down your merlin1 and giving her a tiring to amuse her1 go and pick out the lark from the straw near one end of the hurdles4 ,i am aware that some writers--and those of the highest authority--have recommended the use of bagged larks after ringing flights when the quarry has put in and cannot quickly be got out2 and that the plan is advocated especially in the case of merlins flown at larks4 ,i venture to think1 however1 that it is a plan which must be resorted to with very great discretion1 and only in extreme cases4 ,the idea1 of course1 is that the bagged bird1 let loose at the place where the wild one was seen to put in1 is mistaken for the latter by the hawk1 which consequently supposes when she has killed that her victim is the one at which she first started4 ,but does the hawk ever make this mistake8 ,a lark1 for instance1 which has flown a ringing flight is necessarily a good one1 whereas the bagged one--unless by a rare accident you have picked one up just before--is necessarily a poor one and generally a bad one2 especially if he has been dragged about in a bag or box for an hour or more4 ,will the merlin believe that this third- or fourth-rate performer is the same bird which a few minutes ago took her up after him into the clouds8 ,would you yourself1 if you had chased a pickpocket or a welsher for half a mile1 mistake his identity five minutes afterwards8 ,and the difference between a good and a bad lark is much greater than the difference between a good and a bad pickpocket6 ,there are several other objections to letting bagged quarry go as personating the real4 ,for instance1 a bad lark is generally taken in the air1 and taken easily2 and with a lark so taken merlins almost always fly a good way before coming down with them to the ground4 ,there is then the risk of not being able to find them2 and at anyrate the hawk has learnt how easy it is to carry her quarry1--a species of knowledge which it is a main object of the falconer not to let her acquire4 ,of course a light creance may be attached to the bagged bird1 and the carrying prevented1 but this aggravates the dissimilarity between the sham quarry and the one which was put in4 ,on the whole1 considering the difficulties of carrying bagged quarry about1 and producing them at the right moment in the right place1 ,i doubt if1 in the moulting season at all events1 it is wise to attempt the stratagem at all4 ,a hawk which is fast enough and clever enough to make a ringing quarry put in is generally able1 in a good country1 to take him when he has done so2 and1 except in a good country1 ringing flights should not be attempted4 ,when the moult is over1 if any merlins continue to persevere at larks it is possible that the device might be adopted with advantage4 ,the bagged lark would then be given1 not with any idea that it will be seriously mistaken for the real quarry1 but as a bonne bouche simply1 to show the hawk that her prolonged exertions in bringing the quarry down have not been unprofitable to her4 ,at this period the very best hawks1 even when flown in casts1 will put in ringing quarry in places where they cannot be found1 and1 if repeatedly so disappointed1 will give up that sort of flight2 whereas if1 when they have beaten the lark in the air1 and thus played their fair share in the game1 the man can occasionally make a show of playing his part by producing a live quarry in the spot where the real quarry ought to be found1 the hawks may accept the situation1 though without being really deceived1 and persevere4 ,unfortunately1 in these cases how seldom it is that anyone can arrive at the spot in time to thus gratify the hawks6 ,they will1 after their intended victim has put in1 take their stand close to the place1 peeping and prying about1 and perhaps trying to walk it up2 and may there remain for a few minutes4 ,five minutes is as much as you can at all reasonably expect4 ,how is the man1 half a mile behind where the hawks came down1 to find and get to them in five minutes8 ,if he catches sight of them at all1 it will often be by mere good luck4 ,more often than not his first intimation as to where the flight ended is to be gained by noticing from which direction the hawk came to her lure4 ,for as soon as the hawk engaged in a flight goes out of sight1 either in the sky or over a ridge1 or by reason merely of the distance to which she has gone1 the lure should be produced1 and kept in evidence as long as the search is continued4 ,in finding a hawk after a long flight it is useful to bear in mind a few hints which experience has taught4 ,of course in the case of the bigger hawks the bell is an invaluable guide4 ,the hawker's ear should be always ready to catch the faintest sound of this well-known tell-tale4 ,but merlins seldom or never wear bells in the field4 ,it will be well1 therefore1 to give some brief directions as to finding these little hawks4 ,these will be useful also in searching for others when not found by the bell4 ,the person who was nearest to the hawk when she went out of sight will get on as fast as he can to the place over which he last saw her in the air1 and may with advantage give notice to others following behind by holding up a hand or making any other signal that has been agreed upon4 ,he will then1 if there is a marker within hail1 shout or signal a demand for information4 ,if none is forthcoming1 he will note with his eye the coverts or places of refuge on ahead of him1 and consider which of them was most probably the destination of the quarry4 ,the most likely is certainly the one which lies in a straight line with the course which the two birds were taking2 and the next most likely is the nearest in an oblique direction on the down-wind side4 ,if the place which seems most likely should be a plantation1 copse1 or spinny1 let him then1 by tracing an imaginary straight line over the intervening ground1 decide which is the nearest part of this covert--irrespective of wind--to the spot whereon he stands4 ,in this spot1 and no other1 the quarry will probably have put in4 ,so constant is this choice by a lark of the very nearest bush in any thicket1 that1 after searching it thoroughly without success1 ,i should be inclined to leave that plantation altogether and try some other place of shelter4 ,if the hawk has killed1 she will be either in the covert or somewhere not far off1 where she may have taken her victim to devour him in the open1 free from the danger of unwelcome intruders1 who in any thick place might come up unawares4 ,such a spot will generally be tolerably conspicuous4 ,a mound of earth1 a heap of stones1 a ridge of raised turf or ant-hill is often chosen4 ,when the ground is wet1 merlins and hobbies will sometimes carry their quarry a long way merely in the hope of finding a dry place whereon to deplume and devour it4 ,i have known a merlin carry nearly half a mile on a very hot day in order to get under the shade of a distant tree4 ,many minutes will elapse between the time when the quarry has been taken and the moment when the hawk has completely finished her repast4 ,accordingly1 the search may be prolonged for at least half an hour before the chance of success is given up and the hawk pronounced lost for the time being4 ,some hawks when in high condition will not break in to their quarry or even plume it before their master or some other person comes up1 but1 after killing it1 stand expectant1 looking round about them1 and apparently in a sort of brown study1 forgetful that such a thing as hunger exists4 ,some are even so little eager to begin upon the excellent meal which is before them1 that they will jump from it to the fist as soon as it is within reach4 ,i have known a merlin fly her best at a mounting lark1 take it after a hard flight1 and descend with it to a heap of stones4 ,lighting a cigar1 and sitting down beside a neighbouring rick to wait for her to break in1 ,i have seen her presently go off unconcernedly to another resting-place with nothing in her feet1 and1 walking up to the heap of stones1 have found the lark lying there1 dead and unplucked4 ,the hawk must have been flying almost uniquely out of love for the sport1 and not with a view to satisfying any hunger which she felt at the time2 nor is this the only time that ,i have known such a thing occur4 ,as a rule1 however1 trained hawks in high fettle are very far from preferring a journey to the fist or the lure to devoting their attention to wild quarry4 ,much more often the difficulty is to persuade them that for the moment they must return to their place on the hand in order that they may be provided with what they are hankering after--another flight4 ,almost all hawks which are in the habit of constantly killing and being fed up upon wild birds develop a passion for sport1 and will not easily1 when once they have been thrown off1 abandon the idea that they are to kill something before they come back4 ,it is for this reason that ,i have advocated the frequent practice of flying merlins to the lure and sparrow-hawks to the fist1 not only when the hawk is not to be used in the field1 but when she is4 ,few things are more vexatious than the delay which occurs when a hawk1 however good in other respects1 is bad at the lure1 and keeps the whole field waiting until it is her good pleasure to come down4 ,such performers as ,queen and ,sis1 and the famous rook-hawk ,bois-le-,duc1 which fly for a week or more1 killing daily without any miss1 are in danger of quite forgetting what a lure is like1 unless they are exercised to it for mere practice from time to time4 ,here1 again1 the question of dieting will be found to be of much importance4 ,a hawk may be ready enough to fly wild quarry long before she is ready to come to the lure4 ,an extra hour of fasting on the one hand1 or an extra ounce of food on the other1 may make all the difference in the alacrity of the hawk when required to come down4 ,in spite of all the falconer's care1 there will be times when a hawk stands obstinately at perch1 refusing contemptuously to come1 or perhaps even to look1 at the dead lure4 ,on such occasions1 if time is valuable1 it may sometimes be expedient to resort to the live lure4 ,this1 however1 should always be regarded as a last resource4 ,if reserved for special occasions it will never fail to bring down the most disobedient offender1 but if live lures are commonly used they lose part of their efficacy1 and are apt to become almost as much despised as the ordinary dead ones4 ,of course when live lures are used pains will be taken to make the process as little disagreeable as possible to the creature whose life is risked4 ,when a pigeon is employed1 as it almost always is for any of the big hawks1 a pair of soft and broad jesses should be attached to its legs1 and the ends of those to a strong but fine cord or creance1 or a noose of soft cord may be passed round each leg by means of the double-ring knot shown in ,figs4 #bf1 #bg4 ,when the pigeon 7or lark or other bird7 is thrown up it should be allowed to fly a short distance1 then gently stopped by the creance and allowed to alight on the ground4 ,as the hawk comes at it1 it can be jerked away with a steady pull1 and1 as the hawk throws up1 it can be secured and hidden1 while a dead pigeon of the same colour is thrown down in its place4 ,no great amount of dexterity is required to execute this little manoeuvre4 ,the hawk will be taken up on the dead bird1 and the live one liberated or returned to its dovecot none the worse for its perilous adventure4 ,it is only when the falconer bungles his part of the business that the live lure is struck and either killed or hurt4 ,for sparrow-hawks or merlins1 when they decline to come down1 and stand waiting for the chance of another flight1 another device may sometimes be employed with a view to saving time4 ,there has been an unsuccessful flight1 and the little hawk goes to perch upon a rick1 neglectful of the proffered fist or lure4 ,she came out1 as she has made up her mind1 to taste blood1 and blood she means to have1 if she has to wait for it till sundown4 ,as you cannot afford to wait her good pleasure till then1 you may settle the matter by a sort of compromise4 ,leave her to herself upon the rick1 and walk the surrounding country until you put up the quarry of which she is so much in want4 ,by driving the fields or hedges constantly towards her you may beat a considerable extent of ground4 ,if you draw it blank go on a little farther4 ,as the hawk sees you beginning to beat that farther country1 ten to one she will come on after you and take up her position on a fresh resting-place nearer the scene of your operations4 ,you may go on thus sometimes for quite a long walk1 the hawk not1 indeed1 standing on your fist in orthodox style1 but keeping in a place where she can start at anything you put up with a fair chance of overtaking it4 ,as soon as anything so put up has been taken1 you pick up your rebellious hawk in the same way as if she had flown from the fist1 and1 if you are wise1 you do not give her a big crop4 ,in the case of merlins there is another plan3 you may fly another hawk while the first is sulking or fooling away her time on her self-selected perch4 ,the latter will indubitably join in when you throw off the hawk on your fist1 and you will have a double flight1 after which1 if it ends in a kill1 you will be able to take up both hawks easily enough4 ,in theory1 after every unsuccessful flight the hawk ought to observe certain fixed rules of conduct4 ,peregrines and almost all other long-winged hawks ought first to throw up over the place where the quarry has put in1 and then wait on a while for the falconer to come up4 ,short-winged hawks1 and often lanners1 should take perch as near as they conveniently can to the quarry's place of refuge2 and merlins will get still nearer1 very often waiting on the ground within a few feet of the hidden lark4 ,from these various situations they ought1 if in proper order1 to be ready to come whenever the falconer wishes--to the fist if they are short-winged1 to the lure if long-winged4 ,it is also1 alas6 possible that they may have failed through being outflown--beaten fairly in the air4 ,directly the falconer sees1 by the spreading of the hawk's wings1 that this sad event has occurred1 he will begin to swing his lure1 and in such case my lady ought--and generally will--at once rally to headquarters4 ,the young falconer should endeavour from the first to keep his charges in such condition that they will always come to the lure4 ,if1 at the same time1 they are keen enough to do this and high-fed enough to do themselves justice in a hard flight1 they may be called really well trained4 ,here lies the real difficulty of hawking--to strike the balance justly between too servile obedience and too disdainful independence4 ,every day1 and with every hawk1 whether eyess or passager1 the falconer is confronted with it1 only in the case of passagers it is naturally more obvious4 ,wild-caught hawks are only brought by degrees1 and with a good deal of trouble1 to really like the dead lure1 whereas to most eyesses their first notion of working for their living is connected with the slight trouble of flying either to the lure or to the hack board4 ,yet of the two it is much more essentially necessary that the passage hawk should come down quickly after failing in a flight1 for if she does not1 she will hang about for a more or less limited time near the spot where she lost her intended prey4 ,and every additional minute that she stays out alone1 especially if out of her master's sight1 she is being reminded more and more of her old life at large4 ,then1 if even she does not go soaring or prowling about in the deliberate search for quarry1 she may espy some passing wood-pigeon or other too tempting bird1 and be off in pursuit before any of the hawking party are near enough to keep her in sight4 ,and a passage hawk which has flown and fed herself on her own account is1 of course1 much less likely to be recovered than an eyess1 to which real liberty is a blessing hitherto unknown4 ,with the latter the balance of danger lies often on the side of making them too fond of the lure4 ,the falconer should have with him in the field a pencil and small notebook1 or at the least a card1 upon which he can jot down a brief note or record of each flight1 so that on his return home he can enter in his quarry-book a summary of the day's sport4 ,the performances of each hawk should also be recorded in this book1 as it is only by reference to this authentic volume1 correctly kept day after day1 that it can be known and remembered how she has acquitted herself4 ,on the chance that it may be useful as a specimen1 ,i give here an extract from the quarry-book which ,i keep1 and which has been found to record pretty fully and in an exceedingly small space the chief points of interest in every day's proceedings4 ,the first column gives the month and the name of each hawk1 the second and following columns give the numbers of the days of the month and the scores made by each hawk4 ,the units mean that a flight was successful1 the zeros that it was not4 ,when a fraction1 such as #a_/b1 occurs it signifies that the hawk flew double1 in company with another1 and that the flight ended in a kill4 ,the sign #j_/j stands for a double flight in which the quarry escaped4 ,l means that a hawk was lost or left out1 and ,c that she was recovered4 ,at the foot may be a short note as to the day's weather4 ---------------------------------------- ---------------- ,september4 #a #b #c #d ---------------------------------------- ---------------- ,eva 444 #a #a #a #j #a_/b #a #a #j #a #a #a ,may 444 #a #a #a #a_/b #j #a #j #c_/d #j #a #a ,ruy ,lopez #j ,l 444 ,c #a #j #j #a_/d #a ---------------------------------------- ---------------- ,wind ,gale4 #a_/b ,gale4 ,high4 ,moderate4 ---------------------------------------- ---------------- ,it is convenient also1 and not at all troublesome1 to keep a daily record of the flights and kills up to date4 ,such a score will read as follows3-- ---------------------------------------- ------------------------------ #ahhc4 ,eva4 ,may4 ,ruy ,lopez4 ,total4 ---------------------------------------- --------------------------- ,sept4,flights4 ,kills4,flights4 ,kills4,flights4 ,kills4,flights4 ,kills4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------- #a #dc #cd #ea #cc #dj #bh #acd #ie #b #df #cg #ed #cf #dj #bh #adj #aja #c #dh-a_/b #ch-a_/b #ef-a_/b #cg-a_/b #da #bi #adf #aje #d #ec-a_/b #db-a_/b #fa #ci-a_/b #dd-a_/b #cj-a_/b #aei #aab-a_/b ---------------------------------------- -------------------------- ,or the double flights may be recorded separately1 which is perhaps a better plan4 ,in the general score ,i mark #a_/b to each hawk which has done any work in a double flight1 although in the individual score for the day the fraction set opposite her name may be a larger or smaller one1 according as she has done a larger or smaller proportion of the work4 ,in the same book which contains such tables it is well to write down some account of any flights which seem to deserve particular notice1 as well as notes as to the behaviour of the hawks1 their state of health and condition1 and any physic which has been administered to them4 ,in fact the book may be made not only a bald record of mere results1 but a running commentary upon your sport as it proceeds1 to which you may refer not only for pleasant memories in the past1 but for hints and warnings for the future4 ,in lark-hawking the character of the flights is so different1 as has already been explained1 that a record of them is hardly complete unless it contains some further indications than appear in the above tables4 ,i add1 therefore1 a specimen of a score kept in rather fuller form1 which1 although it may seem rather elaborate in print1 is simple and easy enough to keep when in manuscript4 ,here the lines reserved for each hawk must be somewhat larger than in the other table1 so that each unit standing on a line with the hawk's name may have a letter or indication of some kind placed immediately above or below it4 ,the method of keeping such a record may be best illustrated by explaining it in detail4 ---------------------------------------- ---------- #ahhh4 ,sept4 #a #b #c ---------------------------------------- ---------- ,g ,r ,r ,m ,m ,g ,r ,m ,m ,r ,,rr ,pearl #a #j #a #j_/j #a #a #a #a #a #j #a p p a p h a p p ,m ,m ,g ,m ,m ,m ,r ,ruby #c_/d #j #a #a #j_/j #a 8 ,l 7#a7 ,c a p a pp a ,m ,r ,m ,r ,m ,g ,g ,r ,r ,diamond #a_/d #a #j #j #a #a #a #j #a p p a ---------------------------------------- ---------- ,wind ,fresh4 ,strong4 ,moderate4 ---------------------------------------- ---------- ,weather ,cloudy4 ,showery4 ,hot4 ---------------------------------------- ---------- ,here1 taking the first hawk's score1 it appears that on the afternoon of ,september #a she took one ground lark 7,g7 7see ,chapter ,,ix474 ,secondly1 that she flew a ringing lark 7,r71 which she beat in the air1 forcing it to put in 7p71 and that it could not be found or got up again1 and therefore does not count as a kill1 but as a miss4 ,thirdly1 that she flew and killed another ringer1 and that after these two hard flights she was not flown again1 but fed up4 ,the next day1 the wind being strong1 she began with a double flight at a mounting lark1 in which ,ruby was her companion1 and they bested the quarry1 which put in1 but could not be found2 then flew a mounting lark 7,m71 and took it in the air 7a72 and then a ground lark1 which put in1 but was routed up and taken4 ,finally1 having killed a ringer1 she was fed up and excused further flying4 ,on ,september #c the weather conditions were better1 and in the afternoon ,pearl flew a mounting lark1 which put in1 and was taken up by the hand 7h74 ,had it been a good ringer probably it would have been kicked up instead1 on the chance of a good flight2 and if killed1 the hawk might have been fed up4 ,as1 however1 it was only a mounter1 it was thought best to keep the hawk for the chance of a ringer later on4 ,the second lark1 however1 was also a mounter1 and the hawk1 having taken it in the air1 was flown again ,then came a ringer1 which was well flown1 and bested in the air1 but escaped by putting in4 ,at length there was a successful flight at a ringer1 which1 however1 was not killed until it had been routed out from the shelter to which it had put in1 and afforded a second flight4 ,the double ,,rr over the record of this item in the score shows that at the second start as well as the first the flight was a ringing one4 ,ruby's score begins on the morning of ,september #a with a double flight at a mounting lark1 in which he did most of the work1 and took the quarry in the air4 ,he is therefore credited with #c_/d of the lark1 to mark his superiority1 whereas only #a_/d is scored to ,diamond1 who was his companion in the flight4 ,in the afternoon he puts in a mounter1 which is lost1 kills a ground lark1 and then puts in another mounter1 which is routed out1 but puts in again1 and is only taken when driven out a second time from his hiding-place4 ,having stuck to this lark well1 and accurately marked the places where he put in1 the little jack is excused from further flying4 ,next day he begins with the unsuccessful flight which he flew with ,pearl4 ,then he takes a mounter in the air1 and at the next attempt goes up so far after a first-rate ringer that no one can keep him in sight4 ,as this lark was obviously making for a big plantation towards which the flight went1 and as the hawk1 though usually obedient to the lure1 did not come to it or appear again1 it is almost certain that he must have killed4 ,the fairest way in such cases is to mark the flight by a 7871 and not count it either as a kill or a miss in the general score4 ,the ,l shows that ,ruby was left out1 and the 7#a7 on the following morning shows that it was ascertained in some way that while roaming about on his own account he killed 7and ate7 a lark4 ,the ,c indicates his recovery late in the day2 and the manner of his recapture1 of course1 is referred to in the notes4 ,diamond's first item is the #a_/d credited to him for the part he played in the double flight with ,ruby4 ,he goes on by killing a ringer in the morning2 and for his pains is rewarded with a good half of it1 being then reserved for the last of the afternoon's flights1 when the half-lark may have ceased to trouble his digestive organs4 ,in the evening he puts in first a mounter and then a ringer1 and then having with some difficulty and after a long flight killed a good mounter1 is fed up just before it gets dark4 ,on the morrow he falls in with two ground larks in succession1 and kills them both4 ,hitherto1 ever since the double flight with ,ruby1 in which he was outpaced1 he has been doing well4 ,though not a fast hawk he has persevered and bested all his larks in the air1 though he has put them in so far off that it was difficult to find them4 ,but now he is to disgrace himself by showing the white feather4 ,he starts at a good ringer1 but1 finding it too fast for him1 comes back humbly to the lure4 ,the little 7a71 which is a mark of honour when seen under a kill1 is a terrible blemish to a score when found under a duck's egg--showing that not the quarry but the hawk has been beaten in the air4 ,after this sad exhibition ,diamond is fed up1 and examined to see whether by some mistake he has perchance been allowed to get thin4 ,if he has1 there is an excuse for his poltroonery4 ,anyhow he will be well fed now1 and if he does not fly better to-morrow physicking may be advisable4 ,a medical council must be held over his case4 ,on the next day1 however1 he re-establishes his character4 ,lighting at the first trial upon a ringer1 he sticks to it like a man1 puts it in1 and then takes it cleverly enough4 ,of course after this success1 following upon the fiasco of yesterday1 he is at once fed up4 ,peeping a little behind the scenes we may1 it is true1 suspect that the ringer1 though quite properly marked so in the score-sheet1 would not have figured as such if ,pearl had had to deal with him instead of ,diamond4 ,he would have tried to take the air1 certainly1 and mounted as if intending to go up in circles4 ,but ,pearl would have been up to him before he completed the first ring1 and from that moment1 keeping the upper hand of him1 she would have given him trouble enough to shift from her stoops without nursing any such ambition as to fly right away from her4 ,a score-sheet thus kept gives at a glance an excellent idea of the performances of the hawks referred to4 ,as their several scores are usually kept on the same page in successive lines1 a comparison between them can be readily made at any time2 and if a period of two or three weeks is taken1 the best average made in the time will usually belong to the best hawk4 ,if only a week or less is brought into the account1 it may easily be that a very good hawk by a run of bad luck scores fewer kills and makes a lower average than a more moderate performer4 ,the true test of merit is the ringing flights2 and if these alone are considered1 the result of an analysis will infallibly settle the question which is the better hawk4 ,thus in the score last above given1 there is no difficulty in perceiving that ,pearl1 who killed three ringers out of five1 and put in the other two1 was a much better hawk during the short period under notice than ,diamond1 who killed two out of four and failed once to put his ringer in4 ,the mere number of quarry killed in a season is not a conclusive test of merit2 for it is more creditable to a hawk to kill one ringer than half a dozen ground larks4 ,the greatest number of larks ,i have killed in one season with any hawk in single flights is #ajf4 ,but ,jubilee1 who accomplished this feat1 was certainly not so good as his sister1 ,queen1 who killed #ie in the same time4 ,nor was the latter--,i think--as good as ,eva1 who killed only about #fe4 ,the same method of scoring might be1 with some adaptation1 used for rook-hawks1 and possibly for game-hawks4 ,the short-winged varieties are usually flown at such a number of different quarry that another system would have to be employed4 ,but in all cases the quarry-book should be a sort of diary in which may be traced the history of each hawk as she improved from time to time or fell off in merit4 ,the less experience the falconer has the fuller he should make his notes4 ,both in making them and in referring to them questions will arise about which he is in doubt2 and practice alone1 or timely hints from a master in the art1 will solve the difficulties4 ,any falconer who has kept diaries for any long period will find that at the end of it he has altered several of the methods which he practised at the beginning4 ,it requires some time and trouble1 no doubt1 to write up the notes every day4 ,but1 as it has been before observed1 no one can expect without a good deal of toil to become a successful falconer4 ,it will be seen by a look at the score-sheet1 as well as by perusing any falconer's notes1 that first-rate results are arrived at partly by the excellence of the hawks flown and partly by the activity and diligence of the falconer and his assistants4 ,it is no use for a falcon to bring down her ringing rook from the clouds1 or a merlin her lark from out of sight in the sky1 if when the quarry has put in there is no man forthcoming to drive it out again4 ,the sparrow-hawk will make but a poor show unless she is backed up energetically by an excited field of beaters2 and tiercels will soon give up flying magpies with any zest if they find that their friends down below are slack or incompetent in playing their part of the game4 ,you think yourself entitled to grumble at your hawk1 and perhaps call her ugly names1 if just at the moment you call upon her she does not fly her best4 ,do you not think that she also is aggrieved if you at the same time1 chosen as it is by you1 do not give her the necessary amount of help8 ,incapacity or laziness on the part of a man or a dog provokes the contempt and disgust of a trained hawk1 who is often a much better critic in such matters than the ignorant may suppose4 ,be careful1 therefore1 if you want to retain the respect of your hawk1 not to give her just cause to complain of you2 not to be slow when you should be quick1 or hasty when caution or deliberation is needed2 not to seem inattentive to her fair and just requirements4 ,and above all1 not to commit in her presence anything which she knows is a gross mistake--in short1 not to make a fool either of yourself or her4 ,,chapter ,,xv ,lost ,hawks ,after a day of unsuccessful flights the falconer returning sadly with his discouraged hawks may derive some consolation from the thought that he has at least brought them all safe back4 ,on the other hand1 the triumphs of the most successful afternoon are a good deal marred when one of the best performers has been left out1 and the quarry-book has to be noted up1 opposite her name1 with the unpleasant word lost4 ,foremost amongst the dangers and difficulties which beset the falconer1 more plentifully than any other sportsman1 is the risk which constantly hangs over him of losing the faithful ally upon whose service he depends for carrying on his sport4 ,every time that he puts a hawk upon the wing he has to face this contingency1 which is more or less probable according to the nature of the flight which is attempted4 ,no questions are more often addressed by the uninitiated to a falconer than these3 ,how do you get your hawks back8 and ,do they always come to you8 ,if he is rash enough to answer the last query in the affirmative he may be utterly confounded by having to confess that the very next time he flew his hawk she did not come back6 ,of course1 in exercising an obedient hawk when she is sharp-set the risk run is infinitesimally small4 ,but it would be wrong even then to say that it does not exist4 ,and unfortunately the harder the flight undertaken1 and the better the hawk1 the greater is the danger which her owner has to face4 ,it is unnecessary to enumerate the many causes which may lead to the loss of a hawk4 ,they have been mentioned incidentally in many of the foregoing pages4 ,but it is well to remember that a very large percentage of the losses which annually occur is due to mere carelessness on the part of the falconer4 ,as long as you make no mistake1 and give your hawks a fair chance1 the danger of an out-and-out loss is reduced to very moderate dimensions4 ,the worst cases1 as well as the commonest1 are those in which the man is blamable for some imprudence1 and not the hawk for any vice or fault4 ,a much greater number of hawks annually get loose with the leash still attached to their jesses than anyone would be likely to suppose4 ,whenever such a mishap occurs a search should instantly be made for the fugitive1 for every minute which elapses between the time of her loss and her recovery makes it more probable that she will not again be seen alive4 ,the long tail of the leash becomes a sort of death-trap affixed to the hawk herself4 ,as often as she takes perch in a tree1 or flies over a telegraph-wire1 or near to anything around which the hanging strap can coil itself1 there is the chance of its getting entangled1 in which case the hawk1 hanging head downwards will1 after many struggles1 perish ignominiously1 perhaps before the eyes of her helpless owner4 ,even if the leash is not attached when the hawk gets away1 or luckily drops out of the swivel1 there is no little danger that the jesses1 joined together at their ends by the swivel1 will get hitched up1 and a similar disaster result4 ,all accidents which occur in this way are due to sheer carelessness4 ,no hawk should ever be put upon the wing at all unless her swivel has first been detached4 ,even the jesses1 if they have big slits in their ends1 should be straightened out when they have been freed from the swivel1 so that there is no chance of their getting hooked up on a nail or strong thorn4 ,on the first intelligence that a trained hawk has got loose1 the falconer should start in pursuit1 provided with a dead lure in any case1 and1 if the hawk was not sharp-set at the time1 with a live lure also4 ,the more searchers that can be sent out1 the better2 and these should make inquiries of every person they meet4 ,any of them who are not competent to take up a hawk themselves may carry a whistle1 or pistol1 or any signal agreed upon1 by which they may call up the falconer if they get tidings or a view of the truant4 ,in the latter case they must take care not to alarm the hawk or give her any inducement to move about1 for each time she moves she runs a fresh risk of getting entangled and brought to grief4 ,the search for a hawk which has a leash or swivel attached is not altogether the same as the search for one that has only her bells and jesses4 ,for the fear is now not that the runaway1 having tasted the sweets of liberty1 will little by little acquire or resume the habits of a wild hawk1 but that1 being still as ready as ever to come to the lure or the fist1 she will involuntarily commit suicide by hanging herself head downwards before you have time to find her and interfere4 ,thus the searchers will go about their work with all the speed consistent with thoroughness1 visiting first the places where there is most danger of a fatal disaster1 such as wire fencing1 telegraph lines1 and such bushy or thorny trees as the lost hawk has ever been known to frequent4 ,in an open country loose hawks with their leashes on will sometimes escape with their lives for days together1 and even kill quarry1 and keep themselves in high condition4 ,these1 however1 are the exceptions2 and in a wooded country such a fortunate issue to the adventure would be unlikely4 ,when the loss of a hawk has occurred in consequence of her having killed out of sight1 and gorged herself before she could be discovered1 the chances are that she will remain for the night in the neighbourhood of the place where she flew the quarry upon which she dined4 ,a visit will be paid1 therefore1 next morning at daybreak to this part of the country2 and the falconer must not assume that if he fails to find quickly the object of his search she is to be looked for somewhere else4 ,for it is unlikely1 wherever she is1 that she will pay any attention to him or his lure until she has cast4 ,this she may not do1 especially if it was late in the previous day when she was lost1 until some hours after a spring or summer sunrise4 ,consequently1 even if the searcher gets away from this most likely spot1 and explores the plantations for considerable distances round about1 he should return to it from time to time1 on the chance that she has been there all the while1 waiting till her appetite came before making her presence known4 ,as the day grows older1 the radius within which the search is continued may be indefinitely enlarged4 ,every labourer going to his work1 every farmer going his rounds1 every shepherd walking towards his fold1 should be interrogated when met1 and asked1 if they see anything of the lost hawk1 to report it in some way4 ,the neighbouring keepers may be warned1 although probably they will long before this have been informed that trained hawks are in the neighbourhood4 ,a man will hardly fly his hawks in a part of the world where he does not know that the keepers are to be relied upon4 ,when the hawk has been lost through raking away or checking at chance quarry1 the work of finding her necessitates often very great exertions and fatigue4 ,there is nothing particularly unusual in the fact of a passage peregrine wandering off in an afternoon seven or eight miles from the place where she was lost sight of4 ,to explore at all thoroughly an area eight miles long and ten broad at the far end means1 of course1 a great many miles travelling1 even if the country is exceptionally open and clear of trees4 ,nevertheless1 the dull and dreary journey must be undertaken if there is a real desire to recover the wanderer4 ,the best hawk-finder is he who travels the farthest and sees the greatest number of possible assistants in his search4 ,if you make an excuse for shirking a visit to a particular copse or valley1 it is as likely as not that you will hear afterwards1 to your chagrin1 that the missing hawk was seen there1 and might easily have been caught4 ,if you will not walk a quarter of a mile out of the way to hail a passer-by who is going in what you think an unlikely direction1 that will perhaps be the very man who1 ten minutes afterwards1 comes across the object of your pursuit4 ,there is not much to guide a man in choosing what direction he should prefer for going about his search4 ,but1 other influences being equal1 the truant is more likely to have gone down-wind than up4 ,weak hawks especially1 when they have no particular object in facing the wind1 are apt to shirk the trouble of flying against it1 and drift away to leeward4 ,of course1 if it is an eyess that has gone astray1 and the place where she was hacked is within easy reach1 there is a more or less strong probability that she may have gone towards it4 ,eyess hobbies1 when lost1 are said almost invariably to go back to the hack place in this way4 ,merlins have been known to do so1 though not within my own experience4 ,but a really strong and fast hawk1 in full flying order1 seems often to assume almost at once the rle of a wild one4 ,such a hawk1 especially if fond of soaring1 soon sees that there will be little difficulty in finding her own living4 ,and she sets about it without any particular influence to guide her1 starting in whatever direction chance may decide1 and shifting her ground as capriciously as it is possible to imagine4 ,when ,tagrag1 already mentioned1 was out1 he would be reported one night in a certain plantation1 and early the next morning would be seen three or four miles off on the opposite side of the small village where he ought to have been housed1 and where his brothers were 7or ought to have been7 lamenting his absence from the screen-perch4 ,farm-houses and all habitations near the spot where a hawk was lost should be visited without delay4 ,not only are they generally frequented by either pigeons or fowls1 towards which a stray peregrine or goshawk may well cast a hungry glance1 but their shelter is always a tempting haven for any wandering house-pigeon which may have been chased and bested in the air4 ,as the falconer proceeds from place to place1 swinging his lure and calling or whistling1 if it is his custom to use such means of bringing up his hawk1 he should note the behaviour of the rooks and other birds within sight ,the presence of any hawk1 especially if carrying a bell1 causes some excitement amongst the feathered world4 ,the unwarlike wanderers of the air1 when an armed cruiser comes in sight1 exhibit some such signs of panic as might be expected of a fleet of merchantmen if a hostile battleship were viewed in the offing4 ,the symptoms most remarkable are generally those observed in a flight of rooks1 which often begins to whirl about in the air1 as if it were composed of escaped lunatics1 shooting up and wheeling suddenly in unexpected directions1 filling the air at the same time with discordant croaks and screams1 and with big black specks1 which hurl themselves about as if driven by impulses which they themselves cannot understand or control4 ,but many other birds1 by their strange movements and queer attitudes1 will betray the near presence of a hawk to whose visits they are unaccustomed4 ,when a hawk has killed anything1 and is pluming or eating it1 crows1 magpies1 and jays have a way of sitting on the top of a neighbouring tree1 craning their necks1 and peering down with a morbid curiosity as they watch an operation of which they strongly disapprove4 ,rooks1 starlings1 and small birds are all fond of mobbing a strange hawk when they think they can do it with impunity1 and swallows occasionally indulge in the same rather adventurous amusement4 ,it is therefore often worth while to make a dtour and investigate1 whenever any bird seems to be engaged in eccentric and unusual movements4 ,of the thousand and one causes which may have given rise to such vagaries1 only the most practised eye can determine which are likely to be connected with the appearance of the lost hawk1 and which are not4 ,the safest plan is to go up and make sure that the commotion is not to be explained in this way4 ,of course when a hawk has been in the habit of flying any particular quarry1 a disturbance amongst birds of that species is more likely to arise from her presence than in other cases4 ,but most peregrines1 when they are at large1 are fond of taking occasional shots at lapwings1 though very seldom with success4 ,merlins1 though they are most partial to skylarks1 will make stoops at any bird which they suppose they can tackle1 from a wood-pigeon to a wren2 and the short-winged hawks are1 of course1 almost always ready for any bloodthirsty adventure4 ,fortunately stray hawks1 at least of the long-winged kinds1 do not usually betake themselves to thick places where they cannot easily be seen4 ,in open countries1 where alone they should be flown1 there is no great choice for them of convenient perching-places4 ,probably the most likely of all stations for them to take up are the tops of ricks2 and here a peregrine1 or even a merlin1 can be distinguished at a great distance by a pair of good field-glasses4 ,as a rule1 the best hawks like the highest perches1 where they can command1 as from a watch-tower1 the farthest view of the country over which they hope for a chance flight4 ,a hawk which takes perch on low railings or on the ground is not usually much of a performer4 ,some of these are very fond of perching on fallow-fields1 where it is almost impossible for an unpractised eye to distinguish their plumage against the colour of the ground4 ,a knowledge of their ways will make the falconer aware that in such a field1 however apparently flat1 there will be either mounds or small peaks and projections of earth where clods have been unevenly turned up1 which a hawk is sure to choose as a resting-place in preference to the surrounding ground for some distance on every side4 ,the predilections of each of his hawks for particular kinds of perching-places will generally have been noted to some extent by the falconer1 who will naturally look for each of them on the sort of stand which he knows that she most often prefers4 ,trees1 while still leafy1 are some of the worst places in which to have to search1 and of course they are very common resorts4 ,a lost hawk may be watching her pursuers as unseen as ,king ,charles in the oak1 and not deigning to come down to the most enticing dead lure1 until1 having cast1 she feels an inclination to do so4 ,when a lost hawk is not recovered early in the morning a very good plan is to fly another1 either at the lure or at some quarry1 in the neighbourhood of the place where the loss occurred1 or where you have ascertained that the truant was last seen4 ,and the higher the decoy hawk can be induced to go the more chance will there naturally be that the other may come up and join her4 ,whenever one hawk is on the wing for any length of time1 there is a good chance that every other hawk within about a mile will catch sight of her1 and not a bad chance that the other may come up4 ,in case of a high ringing flight1 wild hawks will come up from much farther than a mile4 ,and lost hawks will1 of course1 come and fraternise much more readily1 especially if the stable-companion flown as a decoy happens to have been a comrade at hack or in some double flights4 ,they will1 however1 do so quickly enough without any special inducement at all4 ,a friend of mine brought a hawk1 newly trained1 from a distance to ,salisbury ,plain4 ,she was lost in a very long flight before she had passed a single night in the house to which she was being taken1 and was not even seen by her owner for two or three whole days4 ,one morning ,i was exercising a hawk which the lost one had never seen1 and suddenly there were two hawks stooping to the lure instead of one4 ,i had never seen the wanderer1 but understood at once what had occurred1 and tried to so arrange that the lure should be struck by the new-comer4 ,either by accident or design she failed two or three times in succession to do this1 and ,i was obliged to take down my own hawk and carry her in1 and bring out a live lure for the other1 upon which she was quickly taken up4 ,both ,tagrag1 which had been out a week1 and a merlin1 which had been out for nine days1 were brought up from the unknown hack ground to join in a ringing flight by another hawk1 and recaptured in the same way4 ,a trained hawk will sometimes be taken off by wild ones1 with which she will go soaring and otherwise amusing herself for a while4 ,but the good-fellowship between them does not usually last long4 ,in the open places where long-winged hawks are flown there are often a good many wild hawks about--peregrines1 merlins1 and occasionally even hobbies1 besides the ubiquitous kestrel1 with which the higher quality hawks disdain to associate4 ,but each wild hawk1 or at least each pair or family of wild hawks1 seems to have its own appointed beat1 and resents the intrusion into it of a stranger4 ,everyone knows that birds will frequently attack any interloper which comes with any intention of staying and quartering itself in the country already appropriated by its own denizens4 ,now the wild hawks1 though they will often attack a trained one as soon as they have set eyes upon her1 yet will also often go playing with her as long as their idea is that she is merely a visitor1 and will not permanently poach on their preserves4 ,it is when they find that the new-comer is really intending to take up her abode in the neighbourhood1 and appropriate her share of the booty1 which they looked upon as reserved for themselves1 that they begin to really make it so hot for her that she is fain to get on into a less-favoured district which has not been already effectively occupied4 ,thus the copse haunted by a couple of young peregrines1 or the down quartered by a wild merlin every day1 is not the best place to look for a trained bird of the same species which has been lost for more than twenty-four hours1 although during the first period the tame and the wild bird may be seen stooping at one another or racing together in a most amicable style4 ,if you have seen them together one day1 and been unable to get down your own hawk1 you will do well to seek her afterwards not on the same ground1 but in a different1 though not very distant1 district4 ,as soon as you can get well within sight of your lost hawk1 the live lure may be relied upon to effect her capture1 until she has been out several days--in the case of eyesses for at least a week4 ,but ,i should not advise forcing it upon her notice at a time when she has a full crop1 if you can defer this at all safely until she has had time to get a bit hungry again4 ,for though she will probably take and kill the bird offered1 she may1 if she is not hungry1 refuse to stay on it while you can secure her2 whereas when she is keen after her meal you will be able to wind her up as she stands over it on any reasonably level piece of ground4 ,the process of winding up consists in merely dragging a fine line1 the end of which is affixed to the quarry or to a stone or weight1 round and round the feet of a hawk which is feeding on the ground4 ,the difficulty is to pass the line under the tail1 which1 of course1 acts as a mild sort of shield to keep the cord off4 ,as the falconer walks round and round his hawk with the end of the line in his hand he must wait1 as the line gets to the hawk's tail1 for a favourable opportunity of pulling it under4 ,if the hawk is fidgety and keeps disengaging her feet from the loops which have been already wound round her1 it may be necessary to make many circles1 and to begin the work several times all over again4 ,but if the hawk is not frightened by any violent pulls on the line1 or by unsuccessful attempts to take her up1 the loops will sooner or later be so securely hitched round one or both feet that she cannot possibly escape4 ,in the case of a hawk which has been out long1 and is shy and suspicious1 a long line must be used1 and much care must be taken not to alarm her by jerking or tugging at it as you wind4 ,some hawks will1 during a week's holiday1 have retained a great many of the habits and much of the tameness which a course of training has deeply instilled into them1 while others will in the same space of time have developed into almost wild creatures4 ,this method of recapture is usually the simplest and handiest1 when it is found impossible to take the hawk up by hand in the ordinary way4 ,for no preparation or paraphernalia are required except a live lure and a long coil of string4 ,if1 however1 you prefer to haul about with you a bow net with its pegs and rings1 and do not mind the trouble and delay of setting the net1 with the bait in the proper place1 that will1 of course1 effect your purpose in many instances very well4 ,but it is rather an intricate business compared with the other1 and one in which an unpractised hand may easily make a mistake4 ,another plan which has been recommended is to fly a bagged pigeon or other quarry in a light creance1 and let the lost hawk take it4 ,then1 as she is breaking in1 walk slowly in and endeavour to take her up with the hand4 ,if she objects and tries to carry1 let her go1 but keep hold of her victim1 which she will be obliged to drop4 ,then1 pegging that victim down firmly to the ground1 take a few feathers and stick them up in the earth on every side of the body1 the tips bending inwards1 but not quite touching it4 ,round these feathers pass the loop of a cord with a running slip-knot in it1 and carry the end of the cord right away to a distance1 where you can hide1 or where at least your presence will not prevent the hawk from coming back4 ,as soon as she has come back pull the string1 which will tighten the noose round her legs1 and1 keeping it taut1 run in and secure your prisoner4 ,the plan is ingenious and sounds feasible4 ,i cannot doubt that it has been found so4 ,only--what if the hawk never comes back at all8 ,you may sit for hours1 with the string ready in your hand1 waiting for her to reappear1 and if she does not1 will you not look rather small8 ,often1 perhaps1 hawks do so reappear4 ,but sometimes ,i can affirm that they do not4 ,a lost hawk in full condition and feather will1 if scared away from one quarry1 not always sit disconsolate watching for a chance of getting back to it1 but go off simply and kill something else4 ,a third-rate hawk may be so overjoyed at having for once captured some live creature1 and so diffident about getting another before nightfall1 that she will hang about and come back to her much-prized victim4 ,but remember that it is the best hawks which run most risk of being lost1 and which one is most anxious to get back4 ,some hawks seem to have a natural aptitude for feeding themselves4 ,they will do so at hack1 before their sisters and brothers have even chased anything except in fun2 and when left out for a night they may be seen in the early morning careering about after their favourite quarry1 or some other4 ,when tidings are brought in as to their whereabouts1 the message is either that she was see'd on a bird1 or very near got 'im1 or at least was chasin' of 'em like one o'clock4 ,such hawks are easier to track1 no doubt1 than the dull ones which sit still by the hour together2 but on the other hand1 more activity is required to come up with them and disabuse them of the idea that their rle is now merely that of a wild bird4 ,liberty often acts as a wonderful stimulant to a trained hawk's energies4 ,the same falcon which has persistently refused rooks1 and can seldom score off a partridge1 will perhaps after twenty-four hours' fasting in the tree-tops bowl over with alacrity whichever of these quarries first offers her a chance1 and then1 having been reduced again into bondage1 relapse into the same indifference1 and refuse to be induced by any amount either of feeding up or starving to fly a yard after one or the other4 ,it is extraordinary what feats a bad hawk can be made to do by the schooling of the hard mistress ,necessity4 ,there was once a lame merlin which had injured her wing badly against a wire1 and could only just fly at all1 and that with a clumsy wobbling action4 ,she was turned out loose in a place where some rebellious hobbies were being hacked1 on the chance of her bringing them down to participate in her meals2 but finding one day that her rations were not forthcoming until much later than usual1 she wandered off in search of what she could pick up for herself1 and was caught by a lad about three miles away from where she had started1 on a small bird which she had actually killed single-handed6 ,it is a good plan1 when a hawk is out1 and there are more searchers available than one1 for one of them to stay at home a good deal1 so that if news of the truant is brought from any quarter he may at once set off with his lure1 and hurry straight to the spot indicated4 ,it is vexatious after a twenty-mile walk to find on returning that if you had saved your trouble and sat quietly at home you would probably have been by now in possession of your fugitive4 ,the labourers and other people who are likely to catch sight of a lost hawk should be warned not to attempt to catch it1--which is a feat that yokels have an almost insuperable desire to undertake1--but to come at once and bring word to the owner or his falconer4 ,rewards should be offered and paid for any such information which results in the recapture1 but not otherwise1 unless there is corroborative evidence as to the facts reported2 for otherwise the too generous falconer may find that whenever one of his hawks is lost several ,king ,richards are reported in the field at the same time1 though not at the same place4 ,after a hawk has been recaptured1 it behoves the captor to consider what sort of preparation1 if any1 is required before she is flown again4 ,much will depend1 of course1 upon the character of the individual4 ,a case has been very recently mentioned in print1 where a falcon lost in a flight at rooks in the spring was only recaptured in autumn1 after more than twenty weeks' liberty1 and yet was then nearly as tame as when his holiday began4 ,on the other hand1 ,i have known a hawk in one week become so wild and shy that the manning of him and making him to the lure took nearly as long as if he had just been caught on the passage4 ,a day1 or even two1 naturally has little enough effect in nullifying in an eyess the lessons which she began in early life4 ,two or three days' flying at the lure1 and a slight reduction in the quantity and quality of her repasts1 will generally make her obedient and reliable enough4 ,but with a passage hawk it is quite a different story4 ,often you will have to hark back to some of the practical arguments which you used before1 when she was being laboriously converted from a wild into a tame creature4 ,washed meat may have to be put in requisition1 and when the moment does come to put her on the wing again in the field1 great endeavours should be made to give her a good start at her quarry1 so that she may again grow reconciled to her master's mode of operations1 and not go off to commence a fresh campaign on her own account4 ,very often a hawk1 especially if not a very first-class performer1 comes back from an outing a good deal improved1 not only in health1 but in flying powers4 ,occasionally1 however1 ,i have known it to turn out otherwise4 ,the danger is with some hawks that while they are out they may learn to run cunning4 ,this abominable vice is1 ,i think1 rare in hawks1 especially in young ones4 ,but ,i have known it in a jack-merlin--not of my own training--as early as in ,august2 and it developed itself very badly in another jack which ,i lost for three days in ,september1 and which before he was left out had shown no signs of it4 ,the line adopted by the offender is to fly lazily after the quarry1 waiting for it to put in1 when he marks the place1 and going straight to it jumps 7if he can7 upon the fugitive4 ,sometimes the offence originates in double flights1 when an inferior hawk1 having allowed her partner to do all or most of the work1 cuts in at the finish and secures the quarry4 ,but it is more rare in merlins than in jacks1 which seem to me the most prone of any hawks to this vice4 ,a game-hawk has1 of course1 little or no temptation to indulge in it1 and a rook-hawk would spoil her own game by doing so1 as she cannot follow into covert4 ,the fault1 when once developed1 is difficult1 or perhaps impossible1 to entirely cure4 ,double flights should be entirely eschewed2 and when the hawk has flown cunning and failed she may be left where she is1 unlured and unfed1 until later in the day1 and then flown again and again until she tries harder4 ,wild hawks 7and trained ones1 if long left out7 often fall into a habit of picking their flights1 i4e4 starting at a quarry1 and1 if they find it a good one1 turning back and waiting for an easier chance4 ,on the whole1 therefore1 if only for this reason1 ,i am averse to leaving out a trained hawk longer than is absolutely unavoidable4 ,,chapter ,,xvi ,accidents and ,maladies ,the care of a hawk's feathers is a very important and elementary part of the falconer's duties4 ,if he is naturally clumsy or careless1 and yet hopes to do any good in this vocation1 he must be continually on his guard against a mishap4 ,experience and persistent watchfulness will cure him of these defects1 or at least deprive them of any very bad effects4 ,but an innate adroitness is certainly much to be desired in any youth whom it is intended to train up as a falconer4 ,the most important of a hawk's feathers are exactly those which are most easily broken4 ,a single vigorous flap of the wing against any hard obstacle within reach of them may very likely knock off the end of one or two of the long flight feathers1 or at least fracture the shaft where it is quite thin1 so that the end below the injury has to be taken off and the feather mended4 ,great care must therefore be taken in carrying a hawk that no such hard substance is ever so near to her that by a sudden movement she can strike it with either wing4 ,narrow doorways should be avoided entirely1 or never entered unless the hawk is hooded and quite quiet on the fist4 ,when walking through a gateway or near an iron railing1 stile1 post1 carriage1 or branch of a tree1 give it a wide berth4 ,when mounting a horse with a hawk on the hand1 get up on the wrong1 i4e4 the off1 side--unless1 of course1 you carry your hawk habitually on the right hand1 like the ,indian falconers4 ,never wear a hat with a hard brim4 ,it is impossible for you to be sure that at some unexpected moment a hawk1 hooded or unhooded1 will not by a sudden movement just touch the edge with a wing feather4 ,the wing feathers of the short-winged hawks are more yielding and elastic than the straighter ones of the long-winged1 and will stand a greater strain4 ,worst of all are merlins1 whose principal feathers are almost brittle1 especially when the hawk is at all poor in condition4 ,as for the tail feathers1 although they are of less importance to a hawk's flying1 they require almost more care than those of the wing4 ,in this particular1 short-winged hawks1 with their very long trains1 are more liable to injury than the others4 ,a very common occasion of damaging a tail feather arises while a hawk is being broken to the hood4 ,as the attempt is made to push the hood on and over the head1 the patient flinches and draws back the upper part of her body1 forcing the tail strongly against the wrist of the operator1 if this is in the way4 ,those feathers upon which the strain bears hardest are very apt to give way2 and even if the awkward falconer has succeeded in getting the hood on1 he finds to his chagrin that he has done so at the expense of a damaged hawk4 ,it is of course for this reason that ,i have advised the tying up of the tail whilst hooding lessons are being given4 ,in actual flights there are certain risks of injury to tail feathers1 although if they are all in perfect condition these risks are less than might be supposed4 ,the struggle which occurs on the ground between the hawk and a robust quarry which is bigger than herself severely tries these feathers1 as the former is obliged to make use of them to steady herself and resist the efforts of the desperate victim to upset her or drag her along the ground4 ,the fight between a merlin and a partridge or pigeon is of comparatively short duration1 as the little hawk1 having her foot tightly clenched round the neck of her captive1 is sure of its death within a minute or so4 ,but a sparrow-hawk battling with a full-grown partridge has a tough job before her1 and is sometimes forced backwards on to her expanded tail1 so that it may give way at any weak spot1 if there is one4 ,a goshawk which has bound to a full-grown hare1 or even a big buck rabbit1 has even a hotter time of it4 ,in double flights1 when both hawks have fastened on to the same quarry1 and are dragging at it in the hope of obtaining sole possession1 there is also danger to the tails4 ,i must admit that ,i know of no case in which mischief has been done1 but it is impossible to watch such a struggle1 while hastening up to interfere1 without seeing that it may be fatal to some of the feathers so roughly used4 ,the arrival of the falconer on such occasions1 in the rle of mediator1 must be welcome to both hawks2 and he should at once catch hold of the quarry by one wing1 and1 holding it tight down1 proceed to the work of separating the hawks4 ,when the quarry is a large bird1 he will offer to the hawk which seems to have the least firm hold a substitute for the real quarry1 and get her to devote her attention to it until the arrival of the second man1 when both hawks can be taken up4 ,if both hawks and quarry are small1 the first falconer to come up may catch hold of the pelt and lift it up1 hawks and all1 from the ground against which the tails are being pressed and bent4 ,once on the fist1 the danger is past2 and one or other of the combatants may be handed over1 with a tiring to replace the contested victim1 to the next man who comes up4 ,when double flights are the order of the day1 every man who is likely to be up at the death should wear a glove and carry a spare leash1 as well as a morsel of tiring for use in a possible emergency4 ,he should also1 if mounted1 carry a weight and tethering rein at the side of his saddle1 so that he may dismount at any time quickly and run in to the struggling hawks4 ,when a feather is bent1 without any actual breakage of the shaft1 it will come straight if dipped in very hot water1 but may not improbably remain weak for some time at the place where the bend was4 ,very often such a bent feather will come straight when the hawk bathes2 but it is just as well to apply the hot-water remedy at once1 and if it does not return to its proper position1 there will be little doubt that the shaft is damaged4 ,whenever this is the case1 the broken part should be cut neatly off and the feather imped4 ,when the breakage is not near the end1 and consequently in a very thin part of the shaft1 the piece removed can be put on again by imping4 ,but if it is the tip which has gone1 as is only too often the case with beginners1 the owner must make up his mind either to keep and fly his hawk in that damaged condition1 incurring the jibes or pity of facetious or sympathetic friends1 or to undertake the rather delicate operation required for grafting a fresh feather on the remnant of the old one4 ,possibly the novice may be within reach of a professional falconer1 or an experienced amateur1 who will come to his rescue1 and perform this troublesome job4 ,if so1 he should certainly attend while it is being accomplished1 and carefully note the manner in which the professor sets about it4 ,if not1 he must attempt it himself1 and do the best he can by the aid of his own ingenuity1 and perhaps of the following directions3-- ,hood the hawk1 and have an operating-table ready1 on which you have placed a tolerably stout but soft cushion4 ,get an assistant to take firm hold of the patient with both hands round the body1 over which may be previously thrown a silk handkerchief to preserve the feathers4 ,the assistant should place his hands over the hawk's body with the palms downwards and the thumbs joined1 the tips of his fingers being towards the hawk's tail1 and the wrists over her hood4 ,lowering them quickly and gently1 and bringing the outer parts of the hands towards one another1 he will get a firm grip round the upper part of the wings and the thickest part of the body1 and will hold the hawk down firmly1 but without unduly squeezing her1 upon the cushion1 her feet being pressed down underneath the body4 ,the falconer will thus be free to operate more boldly upon the feather to which he proposes to direct his attention4 ,the latter must have provided himself beforehand with a very sharp penknife1 a small saucer of vinegar or strong brine1 an imping-needle of the proper size1 and a feather of the proper sort4 ,the imping-needle should be of iron or steel1 filed down lengthwise to a triangular shape and pointed at the ends4 ,it should be in the middle about two-thirds as thick as the feather at the place of breakage4 ,the new feather with which the damaged hawk is to be adorned must exactly match the one which it is to replace2 that is to say1 it must have occupied the same place in the same wing1 or the same side of the tail1 in a hawk of the same kind as the one now under treatment4 ,before commencing operations1 the imping-needle to be used should be immersed in the bath of vinegar or salt water4 ,with the forefinger and thumb of the left hand1 take hold of the damaged feather just above the place of breakage1 and separate it carefully from the adjacent feathers4 ,then with the right hand pass the blade of the penknife obliquely upwards along the web of the feather on its thinner side till the edge touches the shaft just above the place of breakage4 ,as soon as it has done this1 turn the blade so that the flat of it1 instead of being inclined obliquely upwards with the edge pointing towards the stouter part of the feather1 is directed downwards in a plane with the web on the broad side of the feather4 ,having got it into this position1 make a clean cut right through the shaft so that the portion of it below the blade falls off4 ,the next thing is to measure off on the loose new feather as much of the end as will1 when fitted on to the other where it has been cut through1 add to it the exact length which it originally had4 ,the shaft of the new feather must then be cut through at exactly the same angle or inclination as the other4 ,now take an ordinary needle1 and stick its point a little way into the pith of that part of the old feather which has not been cut off1 and afterwards into the pith of the piece of new feather which is to be grafted on1 taking care that the needle goes in straight down the middle of the pith4 ,into the small apertures thus made1 the imping-needle will be more easily passed in the proper direction than if there had been no such preliminary boring4 ,it remains only to effect the junction of the new and old feather4 ,before attempting this1 dip the shaft of the new piece into the vinegar1 and also moisten the end of the old feather just above the place where it has been cut4 ,then taking the imping-needle1 push one half of it into the pith of the new piece of feather1 and the other half into that of the old4 ,by this means the two will necessarily become one and the same feather4 ,be sure1 as you push the two together1 that their flat surfaces are level with one another1 and not inclined at different angles4 ,when the new end is pushed home up to the old amputated shaft1 it will fit on to it1 and the web on both sides will meet and form a uniform surface4 ,then release the hawk and replace her1 still hooded1 on the screen-perch1 where she must be left quite quiet4 ,it is a good plan to do the imping in the evening1 so that very soon afterwards the hawk will naturally be ready to go to sleep2 and if the hood is to be left on1 her last meal should1 of course1 have been without castings4 ,if not1 the room where her perch is should be darkened4 ,she is less likely1 when in the dark or hooded1 to meddle with the mended feather2 and when it has been left alone for twelve hours1 the needle will have begun to rust in the pith of it1 and thus be firmly stuck fast at both ends4 ,when skilfully and neatly performed1 the operation of imping not only replaces effectually the part of a feather which has become useless1 but repairs the mischief so thoroughly that no trace whatever remains of any injury having ever been done to it4 ,i have known feathers so imped that the eye could not discern the place of juncture1 and it was difficult even to discover it by passing the thumb-nail down the shaft of the imped feather4 ,the tenacity of the rusted iron keeps the needle immovably in its place2 and an imped feather1 if it afterwards breaks at all1 will break more readily in any part of it than near the place where the juncture has been made4 ,of course the smaller the hawk the more difficult is the operation4 ,merlins are particularly troublesome1 owing to their vivacity and the smallness of their feathers4 ,it is1 however1 quite possible for an experienced imper to mend up one of these tiny hawks1 even without an assistant to help him in holding her down4 ,the falconer should keep by him1 in a box or drawer where they are safe from moths1 a few feathers in readiness for imping the kind of hawks which he flies4 ,when he is in the habit of moulting them he will be able to supply his needs by saving up the long feathers dropped in the moult4 ,these should be so stowed away that it is possible to identify the year in which they were dropped2 for it is not advisable to use a very old feather1 as it may be brittle1 and crack in pieces round the needle4 ,a spare tail feather or two of any of the hawks which are most commonly trained may often be begged from a brother-falconer4 ,but when a ger1 saker1 or one of the rarer falcons needs imping1 it may be necessary to purchase a whole skin1 which will entail some trouble and expense4 ,it should be noted that there is one exception to the rule that a feather from any one kind of hawk must not be used for one of another kind4 ,this is when the broken feather is to be imped merely for the purpose of the moult4 ,whenever hawks are moulting1 the new feathers1 as they come down1 must be protected on each side by others of at least equal length to those of the natural plumage4 ,but unless the hawk is being flown while she moults1 it is immaterial whether the new feather matches the others in shape or colour4 ,if it is long enough1 and of about equal breadth1 it will serve the required purpose4 ,but every hawk before going into moult should be well set up in feathers of one kind or other1 which are of a proper length and sufficient strength4 ,a new feather1 while growing down1 needs more protection than any other4 ,if a feather is broken so high up that the shaft at the place of fracture is hollow1 there are at least two ways in which it may be mended4 ,the simplest is to slit the shaft on its under side1 and then1 cutting off the base of the new feather which is intended to be used1 push the latter in bodily to the hollow of the old shaft4 ,when it is far enough in1 pass a small needle with strong waxed thread right through both quills1 starting from below1 and1 winding the two ends of the thread round the quills in opposite directions1 tie tightly together underneath the feather4 ,when the feather is big enough there may be two such lashings of thread1 one a little lower down than the other4 ,a second plan1 which is known as plugging1 consists in first stuffing up the hollow quill1 of the injured feather1 above where it has been cut through1 with a chunk of some feather which is not hollow1 but has a solid pith4 ,the plug thus inserted is firmly fixed in by means of some glutinous compound4 ,when it has had time to become immovably settled in its place the imping can be done with an imping-needle in the ordinary way1 the new piece of feather having been plugged also in a similar way1 if necessary4 ,if a feather should have been pulled out1 base and all1 it is advisable to put some solid grease into the place1 to keep it from closing up and preventing the new feather from growing down4 ,when only the tip of a wing feather is gone it would of course be only for the sake of appearances that it would be imped4 ,considering that wild hawks1 and some trained ones also1 kill quarry while they are moulting1 and have four or more of their biggest feathers wanting1 or only half-grown1 at the same time1 it would be a bad hawk which could not fly passably because she was short of an inch square of the sail area she ought to spread4 ,occasionally1 as for instance when you have not long to wait before the moult will begin1 you may leave a hawk unimped though she is very ragged4 ,but the worst of allowing any feather to remain with its end off is that the next feathers to it1 especially in the tail1 are pretty sure to go too4 ,the strain which the tail has to bear is such as it can just resist by the collective strength of all the feathers together2 but when one is unable to take its full share of the resistance1 the others are unequal to the pressure1 and give way4 ,what difference in a hawk's flying power does the loss of a whole feather or half a feather imply8 ,it is1 of course1 quite impossible to say4 ,but arguing from the analogy of pigeons1 the tails of which are sometimes removed in order to increase their speed1 it would seem that in mere straight-forward flying the tail is of very small assistance4 ,i once had an eyess jack-merlin sent to me from the nest in a deplorable condition4 ,the tail was clogged at the end with dirt1 and so many of the tail feathers were bent and broken that he was at once christened ,tagrag2 and while he was at hack was regarded as unworthy of much attention4 ,by the time he was ready to enter1 his tail1 which it had not been thought worth while to mend1 was reduced to about half its proper length1 more than an inch having been knocked off every one of the feathers4 ,this hawk developed later on into the fastest hawk ,i ever saw4 ,when he was out on his own account1 as he was once for seven days together1 he could be distinguished from a wild merlin less by the stumpy tail than by the headlong speed with which he flew1 even when not in pursuit of anything4 ,when engaged in a double flight he would put in about three stoops to two of the other hawk2 and these were not only more quickly made1 but were longer1 straighter1 and more telling4 ,this hawk was an exceptionally good one4 ,he was the brother 7though senior by a year7 of ,queen and ,jubilee1 which between them killed #bjj larks1 in single flights1 in one season4 ,he was therefore no doubt naturally a very fast hawk2 but ,i mention him in order to show how little difference1 in his case1 was made in his flying power by the loss of nearly half a tail4 ,i have also flown merlins at the lure1 when in course of being broken to the hood1 with their tails tied up1 and noticed how admirably they stoop and throw up1 without apparently being incommoded by the temporary inability to spread out their tails4 99 99 99 99 99 ,much more serious and alarming than the breakage of a feather is the fracture of a bone4 ,when the hawk is a favourite1 a cure is often attempted1 and occasionally with success4 ,i have known a peregrine to be shot at and brought down with a broken wing1 and to recover without any treatment at all2 but this was no doubt a very exceptional case4 ,usually any grave damage to the wing1 whether by way of a sprain or a fracture1 is incurable4 ,the bones of the leg are more get-at-able1 more easily set1 and subjected1 when set1 to less strain than those of the wing4 ,splints and bandages should be applied 7though it is very difficult to adjust a bandage to the wing7 under the direction and advice1 if possible1 of some person who has a good practical knowledge of surgery4 ,the hawk1 after being operated upon1 should be placed in a sock as described in ,chapter ,v41 and fed by the hand with strips of washed meat or light food without castings4 ,before the sock is put on it must be ascertained that the injured limb has been placed in the natural position2 and every precaution must be taken that the patient is left undisturbed1 so that it is impossible1 or at least unlikely1 that she should displace the setting which has been attempted4 ,hawks are sometimes troubled with a weakness in the outer joint of the wing1 causing the outer part of it1 where the primaries are1 to droop4 ,the affection is more or less pronounced in different cases1 sometimes being so severe that the wing seems to hang down powerless1 as if merely hooked on loosely at the joint1 and at other times merely to be a little out of place and to be carried slightly lower than the other4 ,occasionally the weakness is so great that the hawk cannot fly1 while at other times1 after perhaps wobbling a little when thrown off1 the hawk1 once fairly on the wing1 seems to fly almost or quite as well as if there was nothing the matter4 ,generally a hawk which is so affected keeps hitching up the bad wing1 as it were1 into its proper place1 only to find it droop again in a few minutes into its old position4 ,the old writers1 who were well acquainted with the symptoms1 say that the injury is one which must have arisen from a blow received by the hawk2 but ,i have known it come on suddenly at a time when the sufferer could hardly have come by such an accident without its being observed4 ,the following is a prescription given by ,turbervile for curing the malady3--,master ,cassian 7a ,greek falconer of ,rhodes7 sayeth that yee must take ,sage1 ,myntes1 and ,pelamountaine1 and boyle them all togyther in a new earthen pot full of good wyne1 and when they bee well sodden1 take the potte and set it uppon hotte imbers as close stopped as maye bee4 ,then make a rounde hole of the bygnesse of an ,apple in the clothe that your potte is stopped withal for the steam to issue out at4 ,which done1 take your ,hawke upon your fiste and holde out hir hurte wing handsomely a great whyle over the hole1 that it may take the fume whiche steameth up out of the potte4 ,afterwarde lette hir be well dryed by keeping hir warme by the fire1 for if she should catche sodaine cold upon it1 it would becomme woorse than it was before4 ,use her thus twyce a daye for three or foure dayes togyther1 and shee shall bee recovered4 ,the beak and nares of a hawk should be kept clean1 and a good falconer will1 after she has finished her meal1 wipe off any remnants of food or blood which may remain attached to the upper mandible4 ,unless this is done--sometimes1 indeed1 in spite of its being done--the nostrils and upper parts of the cere1 where the feathers begin1 may become infested with acari1 or mites1 which1 unless destroyed1 will eat into the horn and the flesh and cause great annoyance1 if not actual sores and inflamed ulcers4 ,hawks which are in low condition are particularly subject to this pest2 but at all times a sharp look-out should be kept1 so as to detect the presence of the minute parasites1 which may be seen running about somewhere near the nostrils4 ,fortunately it is easy to get rid of them4 ,a solution of tobacco soaked in water should be made1 and mixed with brandy or some strong spirit1 and then applied with a small brush to the parts visited by the parasites4 ,after a few applications they will be found to have disappeared4 ,hawks will often get corns on their feet if allowed to stand constantly on hard blocks or perches4 ,it is strange enough that there should be found any falconers who have so little thought for the comfort of their charges that they will use such resting-places4 ,the screen-perch1 at all events1 which is kept permanently indoors1 should have a padding of some kind--cloth1 baize1 or soft leather--underneath the canvas or sacking upon which the hawk has to stand4 ,one of the cruellest of all the cruel things done in zoological gardens is the neglect to pad the miserable perches provided for the birds of prey1 which are usually in consequence seen to have their feet adorned plentifully with corns and deformities4 ,what with bad food1 bad resting-places1 and defective bathing accommodation1 these poor captives are usually types of what the falconer should wish that his hawks may not become4 ,of actual illnesses trained hawks undoubtedly have their full share4 ,the old books devote many lengthy chapters to the description of these disorders1 and of the remedies recommended for them4 ,how far the elaborate concoctions prescribed by medival quacks and used1 as it is to be presumed1 by their very credulous customers1 were efficacious in curing the evils for which they were prescribed1 it is not easy to say4 ,for in modern times we do not put much faith in nostrums of any such kind4 ,but as the ancients certainly killed with their hawks several species of quarry which we hardly attempt in these days1 it may not unreasonably be supposed that some of their medicines were at least useful in stimulating the energies of their patients1 and inspiring them with a sort of artificial courage such as the ,asiatic falconers still impart by the use of sal ammoniac and other powerful drugs4 ,it is1 ,i think1 more than probable that the hobby1 which has not for a long time past been successfully trained1 was brought by physicking into such condition that she would fly keenly and well1 and deserved the praises which some of the old writers lavish upon her4 ,in the palmy days of falconry it was not only when a hawk was actually ill that physic was given4 ,if she did not acquit herself in the field with all the credit expected by her trainer1 he dosed her almost as a matter of course4 ,remedies of a more or less fanciful kind were supposed to exist for almost every failing which hawk-flesh is heir to2 and the medicine-cupboard of a falconer who professed to know anything about physicking his charges must have contained as many herbs1 spices1 powders1 decoctions1 and tinctures as would stock a small druggist's shop4 ,as far as ,i know1 no modern falconer has had the patience or temerity to test the value of these multifarious pills and potions4 ,the state of health of a hawk may be ascertained by various signs1 more or less infallible4 ,mutes1 castings1 and the general demeanour furnish the most obvious symptoms2 but the books1 which bestow a vast amount of attention upon the two former1 are much too silent as to the latter and more subtle indication of an incipient malady4 ,the falconer should always observe the colour of every hawk's mutes4 ,if she is kept for any long time at a stretch upon a screen-perch under which the sawdust or sand is so thickly strewn as to absorb them altogether1 a piece of paper must be placed occasionally under the perch1 which will enable him to make the necessary inspection4 ,and at the first appearance of anything wrong the proper remedy should be applied4 ,the mutes of a hawk in good health should be of an almost uniform bright white colour1 and of the consistency of the whiting with which a lawn-tennis ground is usually marked out4 ,if there are specks of black in them there is no cause for alarm1 but these should not be abundant or large in size4 ,if any other colour is to be seen there is something amiss2 and if the mutes are either watery or too thick the hawk is not in proper health4 ,the sooner these symptoms are detected and the right steps taken the easier will be the cure2 and in most cases a diet of freshly-killed birds given in moderation twice a day will set matters right without any resort to strong measures4 ,if1 however1 the discoloration is great1 and appears suddenly1 a dose should be at once given before the sufferer loses her appetite and becomes unable to retain food or anything else in her crop4 ,castings are easily found under the perch or round the block1 though when hawks are tied very near to one another on the same screen-perch it is sometimes difficult enough to know which of them has thrown a casting which is picked up between her and her neighbour4 ,the appearance of them should always be noticed before they are thrown away4 ,they should be more or less egg-shaped and compact1 with no great amount of oily matter adhering to the outside4 ,the colour should be rather darker than that of the feathers1 fur1 wool1 or whatever else has been taken to form the casting2 and if it is not so1 it is a sign that the crop is foul4 ,a hawk in good health should also cast within a reasonable time after the casting has been swallowed2 and otherwise you may suspect that the gorge is clogged4 ,a hawk which has been fed late even in a summer evening should throw up her casting before eight at latest on the following morning4 ,when a hawk is slow at casting1 she should be carried a bit1 and will then often cast on the fist1 or immediately upon being put off it on to the block4 ,a wild merlin will often eat the whole of a small bird between #h and #i a4m41 put it over by about #b p4m41 cast1 and then begin to look out for the evening meal4 ,a trained hawk may cast well and have fairly good mutes1 and yet be all the better for a small dose4 ,if she has a dull eye and stands stolidly on her block without taking notice of passing birds2 if she eats without zest1 or flies without animation2 if1 when standing on the fist1 she takes a weak grip with her feet1 or puffs out her feathers without cause1 or folds her wings loosely together1 she may indeed be healthy enough to get a doctor's certificate1 but she is not in the sort of fettle to do herself justice in the field4 ,in such case do not1 like some falconers who ought to know better1 begin calling the hawk names1 and neglect her1 while bestowing extra attention upon one which exhibits more aptitude4 ,remember that in the wild state there is no such thing as a bad hawk4 ,all find their living1 even in the worst weather1 and find it although continually plagued and thwarted by the knowledge that if they go within gunshot of a man they will probably be murdered4 ,cannot a trained hawk1 well housed and regularly fed1 and freed from the constant fear of gun and trap1 be made as fast and as clever even as the worst of her wild brethren8 ,falconers must be a long way behind the professors of other arts and crafts if they cannot make their trained pets at least nearly as good as the wild and untrained4 ,there is perhaps more delight in flying a hawk which is never out of sorts and always naturally ready to do her best4 ,but it is more creditable to the trainer1 and a greater test of his skill1 if he can impart excellence where he found little sign of it1 and in short make a bad hawk fly well4 ,the ,indian native falconers--from whom1 by the way1 we have a lot to learn--habitually fly some of their favourite hawks1 such as the saker1 under the stimulus of strong drugs2 and there can be no doubt that many hawks of all species are bettered by frequent dosing1 just as a ,chinaman by opium1 and certain literary celebrities by absinthe4 ,in some cases these doses supply more or less effectually the lack of exercise from which a trained hawk suffers1 and in other cases possibly they act as an antidote to the feeling of annoyance and discontent arising from captivity and confinement4 ,as to the particular remedy to be applied when a bird is thus out of sorts without being absolutely ill1 ,i fear the reader must be referred to one of the old text-books1 and not alarmed by quotations at length from their well-garnished pages4 ,the mischief proceeds1 of course1 either from excessive cold or excessive heat in the system1 which will require consequently either heating or cooling medicine4 ,for the former purpose1 spices and peppers will be preferred1 with fatty substances1 such as oil or bacon2 while for the latter1 purgatives may be used1 and meat washed in the juice of certain vegetable products1 such as endive1 cucumber1 or melon4 ,if the malady is so strong as to amount to fever1 the hawk's feet may be bathed with water distilled from lettuce1 plantain1 or nightshade1 or the juice of henbane4 ,if1 however1 the earliest symptoms are noted1 it will generally serve all purposes to give hot feeds1 i4e4 birds just killed1 in the case of cold1 and washed meat in the case of too great heat4 ,those who are not content to wait for such symptoms1 but prefer a prophylactic treatment1 may perhaps be satisfied with the following prescription3 ,if you intend to keepe and maintayne your ,falcons and all other ,hawkes in health1 take ,germander1 ,pelamountayne1 ,basill1 ,grimel-sede1 and ,broome flowers1 of each of them halfe an ownce2 of ,isop1 of ,saxifrage1 of ,polipodic1 and of ,horse-mintes1 of each of them a quarter of an ownce2 of ,nutmegges1 a quarter of an ownce2 of ,cucubes1 ,borage1 ,mummy1 ,mogemort1 ,sage1 of the four kinds of ,mirobolans1 ,indorum1 ,kabulorum1 ,beliricorum1 and ,embelicorum1 of each of them halfe an ownce2 of ,saffron1 an ownce2 and of ,aloes ,cicotrine1 the fifth part of an ownce4 ,all these things confect to a powder1 and at every eygth day1 or at every twelfth day1 give your ,hawkes 7the big ones1 that is7 the quantitie of a beane of it with their meate4 ,and if they will not take it so1 put it in a ,henne's gutte1 tied at both ends1 or else after some other meanes1 so as ye cause them to receive it downe2 and lette them stand emptie one houre after4 ,a more simple preventive medicine is ,aloes ,cicotrine alone1 given every eighteen days as an emetic1 just after the hawk has cast1 and followed in two hours' time by a warm meal4 ,coming now to specific maladies1 the commonest and not the least dangerous of the complaints to which trained hawks are subject is the croaks or kecks1 an affection of the throat akin to what is called bronchitis in the human patient4 ,its existence is betrayed by a wheezing or hoarseness1 noticeable as the hawk breathes4 ,in slight cases the sound is scarcely audible1 and only very occasionally2 but when the attack is a bad one1 the breath is impeded1 and the invalid appears to be suffering from a sort of asthma4 ,these severe attacks sometimes come on suddenly in bad weather1 and generally prove fatal2 but the milder attacks1 if attended to in time1 may often be mastered and vanish permanently4 ,the cause is usually the same as that which would in men induce a cold in the head or throat1--a chill caused by sudden changes of temperature1 excessive cold1 or1 most frequently of all1 excessive damp4 ,the remedy is to put the sufferer in a warm and dry place1 and to give the most palatable and nourishing food in moderate quantities at reasonably short intervals1 with a peppercorn or mustard-seed now and then4 ,freshly-killed birds are the best diet2 but if sheep's heart or butcher's meat is given1 it should be first warmed a little4 ,the hawk should not be left out of doors after midday1 or in a place exposed to the wind4 ,strangely enough1 gers1 whose habitat is in more northern latitudes than any other hawks1 are the most susceptible of all to this malady2 and special care should be taken1 therefore1 that they are not allowed to be in damp or draughty places4 ,cramp is a terrible disorder1 also caused by damp or cold4 ,it is specially apt to attack the short-winged hawks1 and is1 ,i believe1 always fatal4 ,eyess sparrow-hawks taken too early from the nest are pretty sure to develop it when there is no maternal wing to cover them at night4 ,possibly by keeping them in an artificial nest in a warm place the mischief might be averted2 but the slightest chill seems to bring it on1 and when once it takes hold of the feet and legs it appears to paralyse and permanently disable them4 ,beginning with a mere stiffness in the joints1 it increases in malignity until the sufferer loses the use of one or more limbs1 and then often paralyses the muscles of the back4 ,when the very first symptoms of anything like stiffness appear in a goshawk or sparrow-hawk1 no matter of what age1 she should be taken at once into quite a warm place1 and the affected limb fomented with hot water and embrocations4 ,unless these remedies speedily give relief the most humane thing to do is to put the hawk out of her misery at once4 ,in this matter not only is prevention better than cure1 it is the only means known of combating the dreaded disease4 ,ague1 or a low fever nearly resembling it1 attacks hawks much in the same way as human beings4 ,there are shivering fits and alternations of hot and cold1 which may be discovered by feeling the body with the hand4 ,the cause is often exposure to cold after becoming heated by flying or standing in the sun1 or confinement in a draughty or cold place4 ,the sufferer droops her wings1 and looks miserable generally4 ,she should be put in a sheltered place1 rather warm than cold1 and fed often1 sparingly1 on the best light food that is to be had4 ,when the hot or cold fit is on she should be left as quiet as possible1 but when it goes off she should be carried1 and even flown a little1 if she will2 and she should by no means be left alone in any dismal place without company4 ,when her attention is occupied she will have less inclination to mope or give way to the malady1 and is much more likely to improve4 ,if the affection is obstinate and the hot fits frequent1 about two scruples of rhubarb may be given 7for a falcon7 in a casting of cotton wool1 followed after two or three hours by a moderate meal of something freshly killed and light4 ,if1 however1 the shivering fits predominate1 or the hawk has become low in condition and has a poor appetite1 the dose must be administered with caution and in moderation1 and the patient should be coaxed and induced to take as much as she will1 up to half a crop1 of some heating food1 such as freshly-killed sparrows1 which are best of all1 pigeons1 or1 in case of a goshawk1 young rats2 and if at a subsequent meal a sheep's heart is given 7which such hawks can very easily pick at7 it may be washed in wine in which has been boiled sage1 mint1 cinnamon1 cloves1 or some such aromatic herb4 ,in all cases the invalid must be petted and made much of until she has regained her robust health and appetite4 ,apoplexy is no doubt the disorder most commonly fatal to trained hawks of the short-winged varieties4 ,it was called by the ancients the falling evil1 and it has carried off quite suddenly many a first-rate goshawk almost without any warning at all4 ,and it is probably more to be feared in these days when the use of washed meat has been so generally abandoned4 ,the cause of this effusion of blood on the brain is over-fulness of body or an accumulation of internal fat2 and in order to guard against it care should be taken to avoid overfeeding a hawk with strong1 heating1 or fattening viands4 ,merlins are also very subject to apoplexy when short of exercise1 and peregrines are by no means exempt from it4 ,when any hawk is fat or full-blooded1 any exposure to a hot sun1 or any violent or unaccustomed exercise1 or bating off and hanging head downwards1 may cause a determination of blood to the brain2 and death will follow without the chance of even attempting a cure4 ,it is well1 therefore1 especially when any hawk is not taking daily exercise1 and plenty of it1 not only to avoid overfeeding1 but also from time to time to give a purge and an emetic4 ,one of the simplest prescriptions is lard or butter1 well washed1 and then steeped in rose-water1 and given with a little powdered sugar4 ,apostume of the head is called by ,turbervile a monstrous accident1 and a very grievous evil1 and said by him to be infectious4 ,it is discerned by ye swelling of ye hawke's eyes1 by the moysture which sundrie tymes issueth and distilleth from the eares1 and often eake by evyll savoure and smell of the apostume4 ,the invalid is inert1 and cares little for her food1 and will not pull at her tirings4 ,the remedies he recommends are exceptionally commonplace4 ,first1 butter1 well washed in rose-water1 with honey of roses and powdered sugar4 ,then afterwards1 for the relief of her poor head1 rue1 #d grains2 ,aloes ,epatie1 #b drams2 saffron1 #a scruple1 to be finely powdered and made into a pill with honey of roses4 ,if the ear is stopped up1 clear it with lint on a silver bodkin or needle1 and1 having infused warm oil of sweet almonds1 stop it with another piece of lint4 ,which failing of success1 he gives directions for cauterising1 for which the original1 or some surgeon1 should be consulted4 ,another sort of swelling in the head which affects the nares as well as the eyes1 and is nothing else but a catarrh1 may1 it seems1 often be cured by a pill made of agaric1 #b scruples2 cinnamon1 #a2 liquorice1 #a1 powdered and mixed with honey of roses4 ,the sufferer should be made to sneeze by giving her--not snuff1 as one might expect1 but pepper1 cloves1 and mustard-seed1 powdered1 and blown into the nares through a quill1 or rubbed on to the nares and palate4 ,after these1 or indeed any doses have been administered1 it is well to carry the hawk on the fist till they have taken effect4 ,for suffusion of the eye a purge of aloes or agaric is recommended1 and local treatment by blowing the powder of aloes and sugar-candy into the eye4 ,frounce is a malady which will pronounce itself sometimes without much apparent cause4 ,the mucous membrane of the mouth and throat is inflamed1 and the tongue swelled and coated with a brownish white matter4 ,this coating should be scraped off with a quill or silver knife1 and the mouth dressed with burnt alum and vinegar1 or a weak solution of nitrate of silver4 ,the dressing may be done with a piece of lint on a small stick4 ,another lotion is made by taking the leaves of woodbine1 with sage1 honey1 and alum1 and seething them till the leaves are quite soft1 and straining the decoction through a cloth4 ,inflammation of the crop may be the result of bad food or neglect to give proper castings4 ,the first signs of it will be in the castings themselves1 which may be discoloured or misshapen1 and sometimes charged with undigested food4 ,in aggravated cases the mutes may be reddish1 and the hawk may often throw up her food1 and be unable to keep anything down4 ,a purge and an emetic should be given before this stage is reached2 and great care must be taken not to overload the crop1 or to give anything which will nauseate the hawk4 ,if the malady has been neglected1 it becomes dangerous and very difficult to cure4 ,the hawk wastes away1 and it may be a long time before you are able to restore her strength--if you pull her through at all4 ,pantas is an old name given to a malady of the liver1 when it becomes hot and dried up4 ,the hawk is costive1 and opens her beak often1 as if gasping for more air4 ,the mutes are blackish1 thick1 and scanty4 ,amongst numerous remedies in vogue are olive oil1 oil of sweet almonds1 and sugar-candy1 with butter or lard1 washed in rose-water4 ,of course no heating food should be given1 such as sparrows1 rats1 or old pigeons4 ,powdered cloves and cubebes may be given in a casting every three or four days4 ,the liver is almost as apt to get out of order in trained hawks as it is in untrained men4 ,green mutes1 as well as black ones1 betray the mischief1 and warn the falconer4 ,a purgative1 such as those last mentioned1 will be the first remedy2 but it must be followed by great care in the subsequent feeding4 ,a more fanciful remedy consists of snails steeped in asses' milk1 and used as a washing for sheep's heart1 which is soaked in it4 ,megrim1 or palsy1 is denoted by a shaking of the hawk's head4 ,pepper1 aloes1 and cloves may be given1 with a little washed lard4 ,when a hawk is troubled with worms she is fidgety1 and has startings and twitchings of the body1 and falls away in condition4 ,mustard-seed1 aloes1 and agaric are prescribed1 and cayenne pepper may be given with her food4 ,filanders are a sort of worm more difficult to suspect1 and more difficult to get rid of4 ,one remedy is garlic1 long steeped in oil2 and if this fails1 iron filings1 with oil of bitter almonds1 may be tried4 ,hawks1 if kept clean and frequently encouraged to bathe1 are not much troubled with parasites4 ,young merlins from the nest are often infected with a flying tick1 which does them no particular harm1 and usually disappears when the little hawks begin to bathe4 ,the way to get rid of them is to paint the body with a decoction of tobacco mixed with brandy4 ,this is also the remedy for lice1 which peregrines will sometimes get from a rook which they have killed4 ,the same wash is to be applied to the nares and forehead of a hawk when troubled with mites4 ,these very minute insects--otherwise called acarus or formica--sometimes establish themselves in and near the nostrils1 and may be seen running about rapidly over the beak4 ,they cause great annoyance1 and if not put an end to will eat into the horn of the beak1 and cause inflammation and other serious mischief4 ,they dislike1 however1 the tobacco wash1 and cannot keep their ground against it4 ,corns and swelled feet are the result almost invariably of standing on hard and unpadded blocks or perches4 ,they are1 of course1 both painful and also highly detrimental to the efficiency of a hawk1 whose feet as a weapon of attack are only second in importance to her wings4 ,the corn must be cut out1 or the inflamed swelling lanced1 and the foot must be bathed with some lotion1 such as white of egg1 vinegar1 and rose-water1 or with tincture of iodine4 ,a very well-padded perch must be used afterwards1 and a fortifying lotion frequently applied4 ,inflammation is sometimes set up by the prick of a thorn1 when a hawk has trod upon a bramble1 or grasped it when making a grab at a quarry which has put into a hedge4 ,the worst form of corn is called pin1 and is pointed like a nail4 ,lancing and lotions may cure it2 but it is an obstinate complaint1 often incurable2 and the various unguents prescribed by ancient authors seem none of them to have been used with any great success4 ,when a claw or talon is broken by any accident1 the falconer is advised to apply to it a plaster made of the gallbladder of a fowl1 and to fit a sort of collar round the hawk's neck to act as a guard1 so that she cannot touch the place with her beak4 ,the same thing may be done when a hawk has a wound or sore on the foot1 and keeps picking at it1 a practice not uncommon with merlins1 which will actually eat away their own feet4 ,the blain is a watery vesicle in the second joint of the wing4 ,it should be lanced1 and the hawk kept quiet until the wing is strong again4 ,for a snurt1 or cold in the head1 ,bert recommends the root of wild primrose dried in an oven and powdered4 ,the powder is to be blown into the nares of the hawk4 ,or the leaves of the wild primrose may be distilled1 and the nares bathed with the juice4 ,craye is a stoppage in the tewel1 or lower bowel4 ,it is said that the meat should be washed in distilled haws1 or a decoction of primprivet1 or drawn through milk warm from the cow4 ,rye is a swelling in the head1 which is said to be produced by keeping the hawk without hot meat1 and is cured in the way which may be conjectured4 ,prynne is a malady of the eyes1 for which it is recommended to bathe them with the juice of daisy leaves1 or a decoction of powdered egg-shell1 yolk of hard-boiled egg1 and a quarter as much rock alum4 ,for a bruise ,bert advises clarified honey1 boiled with half as much stone pitch4 ,some old writers declare that a hawk's appetite may be improved by steeping her meat in claret and the yolk of an egg2 that when she is slow at casting1 or in digesting her food1 she should have a mustard-seed made up with honey into a pill4 ,in such cases she should certainly have plenty of tirings2 and fresh water should be kept within her reach1 so that she may sip it at any time if so inclined4 ,sweet things are good for a goshawk1 which is something of a sweet-tooth4 ,a good scouring for a sparrow-hawk is pounded sugar-candy and butter mixed with beef4 ,sugar-candy and olive oil are both good purgatives for getting rid of the internal fat or grease4 ,for giving a tone to the stomach1 cloves1 nutmeg1 and ginger are beneficial4 ,and the most celebrated of all ingredients for compounding hawk medicines is mummy4 ,one very distinguished modern falconer1 having read in the ancient books endless references to this medicament1 wrote to another equally distinguished authority to ask1 ,what is mummy8 ,the answer1 which is too good not to be repeated here1 was1 ,mummy is mummy4 ,that is perhaps as much as the greatest ,egyptologist can say6 ,,chapter ,,xvii ,moulting ,a most important period in the life of any hawk arrives when she begins to undergo the ordeal of moulting4 ,the annual or biennial change of plumage which occurs naturally in almost all birds affects more or less powerfully their health and condition1 robbing them for the time of a certain amount of their strength and vigour1 as well as depriving them of a part of the actual mechanical apparatus which serves as their means of locomotion4 ,thus we have seen that skylarks1 when putting on a new set of feathers in ,august1 are very much less able to escape from a hawk than when that process has been completed4 ,to the hawk1 whose very subsistence depends mainly upon his flying powers1 it is obvious that the loss of any big feathers in the wing must be at least a very serious inconvenience1 especially if it is combined with a weakening of the whole bodily organism4 ,nature has not1 therefore1 allowed the young hawk to mate or breed until after the first moult4 ,at the time when he or she would naturally be busied with family cares--that is1 when she is nearly a year old--the minor but still formidable effort of moulting is deemed a sufficient trial4 ,only when1 after assuming the adult plumage1 she has kept herself through the whole of a second winter is she called upon to undertake the arduous task of feeding not only herself1 but also two or three ravenous and helpless youngsters4 ,the first moult of the young hawk is also arranged to take place at that time of year when it is least difficult for her to find her own living4 ,while the big feathers of her nestling plumage are falling out and being slowly replaced by new ones1 the bird world is full of newly-fledged quarry1 or at least of quarry which are not yet very strong upon the wing4 ,in other words1 the moulting of hawks naturally takes place in summer1 just when they are most able to dispense with a part of their flying apparatus and of their energy4 ,wild hawks vary a good deal in the date at which they drop their first feather1 but trained hawks can be made to vary still more4 ,experience soon showed that a certain diet and regimen would hurry on the moult and expedite its progress1 whereas another would defer and protract it4 ,the young falconer will reflect betimes which of these treatments will best suit his plans1 and act accordingly1 remembering that1 having once decided1 he cannot without great inconvenience and even some risk adopt a different system4 ,in any event he will1 except in the case of rook-hawks1 find himself in some difficulty1 for the moulting process is in any case a long one4 ,it is reckoned by months rather than by weeks4 ,in peregrines1 which are notoriously slow and bad moulters1 it may last a half-year4 ,if ever it is completed in three months the falconer may think himself lucky2 and the worst of it is1 that the moulting months generally include ,august and ,september4 ,the earliest day on which a feather can be dropped is usually well on in ,march or often early in ,april1 and this is in the case of eyesses1 for the passage hawks can hardly be induced to begin till a good deal later4 ,unless1 therefore1 the falconer can hurry the feathers down1 he will hardly get his hawk even through the moult1 and far less ready for active work1 by ,september #a4 ,we shall see1 moreover1 that the faster the moulting process is pushed on the less fit will the hawk be at the end of it to immediately take the field4 ,it is thus1 in at least nine cases out of ten1 practically impossible to fly a hawk in full plumage at rooks in the spring1 and afterwards to fly the same hawk also in full plumage at game in ,august or ,september4 ,and whether she has been flown in the early part of the year or not1 it is still almost equally difficult to so arrange that she shall fly in full feather in the early part of the game season4 ,hence it is that an eyess of the year1 when flown as soon as she is fully trained1 comes usually into the field better equipped in the way of feathers than what may be called her elders and betters4 ,occasionally the moult of a passage hawk1 or even adult eyess1 can be deferred until ,august or even ,september1 but this result is not to be reckoned upon with any certainty4 ,the youthful grouse or partridges and their rather hard-worked parents1 the adolescent or moulting lark1 and inexperienced blackbird1 ought all to be a little grateful to ,dame ,nature for having ordained that they should be pitted against hawks which are either young themselves or else have to take the air with shortened sail4 ,many modern falconers1 abandoning all attempts to fully moult their hawks in time for the game season1 fly them irrespectively of the condition in which their feathers may be4 ,that is to say1 instead of shutting up their hawk1 as the old falconers commonly did1 when she drops the first feather1 and keeping her inactive in the mews until the last new one has come down1 they simply go on giving her her daily exercise just as if nothing had happened1 and almost1 if not quite1 ignore the moult4 ,it is wonderful how well some hawks acquit themselves under such disadvantageous conditions1 and how little difference to a really fast and clever flyer is made by the loss of even two of the biggest feathers in each wing4 ,on the other hand1 a slow hawk1 especially if she is not over-gifted with brains1 so as to be able to make her head save her wings1 is apt to cut rather a poor figure when flown in the middle of the moult at grouse4 ,one of the chief drawbacks incident to this plan--especially with peregrines--is that when flying hard they often moult so badly4 ,full feeding--or rather overfeeding--is necessary to many trained hawks if they are to moult fast and well2 and1 of course1 when expected to fly in the field they cannot exactly be overfed4 ,well fed1 even to the verge of excessive generosity1 they must be1 or the new feathers will come down narrow and weak1 or even the moult may cease4 ,but to overfeed a passage hawk before putting her up to wait on1 is to court the loss of her4 ,consequently the falconer who flies grouse with a falcon in the moult is confronted with an awkward dilemma4 ,if he keeps his hawk sharp-set he is quite likely to see her leave off moulting1 at least for a time1 beginning again perhaps later on1 and thus protracting the moulting season to an unconscionable length4 ,if1 on the other hand1 he attempts to keep her fat1 he may be pretty sure that she will be disobedient and slow at coming to the lure1 and he will be tormented by a constant fear that she will despise it altogether and choose her own place in which to moult at liberty4 ,suppose1 however1 that the falconer1 having flown his eyess through the game season or his passage hawk through the rook-hawking season1 desires to get her into moult as quickly as possible and through it without delay4 ,while still flying her to the lure for exercise he will take care that she is bountifully dealt with in the matter of rations4 ,he will reserve for her one of the most cosy places in the hawk-house2 and when she sits out at her block he will be specially careful that she is never exposed to uncomfortable draughts or damp or chilly winds4 ,he will encourage her to bathe1 in the open air if it is fine and warm1 or indoors if the weather is bad1 and will1 if necessary1 take the chill off the bath water4 ,he will carry her often and give her tirings1 and1 in short1 make rather a pet of her2 and one morning1 as he comes up to her place on the screen-perch1 he will espy beneath it a big broad feather shaped rather like the blade of a butter-knife4 ,this will be the seventh feather of one of the moulter's wings4 ,sticking it into his hat1 presently to be transferred to a rack on the wall1 which will hold the remaining big feathers as they drop1 he will then carry off my lady to her quarters in the moulting-room4 ,this apartment1 in the words of a high authority1 should be so cleane1 handsome1 and well kept1 that your hawke may rejoyce and delight greatly in it4 ,we may perhaps have our doubts whether any hawk would delight as much in the most palatial prison-house as in the fresh air of the least picturesque mountain or forest2 but1 at anyrate1 a clean1 cheerful1 and well-lighted room pleases her better than a dismal garret4 ,a well-ordered moulting-room is a somewhat luxurious apartment1 and cannot be provided without some trouble and expense4 ,it should not be cramped in size1 but big enough to allow the hawk at least to stretch her wings in a short flight from one end of it to the other4 ,the walls should have no projecting corners1 and if they are hung with some soft protecting stuff it will be all the better4 ,the windows--except in those very commendable cases where the room is lighted by a skylight--will be guarded on the inside by perpendicular bars of smooth wood or cane2 and the floor will be laid at least more than an inch deep with sawdust or dry sand4 ,fixed upright into the floor will be a block or two1 with padded top2 and the room1 near its two ends1 nearest and farthest from the window1 will be crossed by perches1 one of which at least should also be well padded4 ,if it is intended that the hawk1 or hawks1 for which the room is designed shall be left mostly alone in solitary occupation1 a bath may be left on the floor2 but1 as in any case the bath must be emptied and refilled pretty often by some person entering the room1 it may be as well to let the bath1 when unused1 remain outside1 where it can be kept clean instead of dirty4 ,the door of the moulting-room should open outwards2 and it is a good plan to make it close of its own accord by a weight or spring1 to minimise the chance of its being inadvertently left open4 ,goshawks should never be moulted in company1 and the bigger falcons only when known to be good-tempered1 and that with a companion of the same sex4 ,tiercels1 unless especially cantankerous1 may moult in the same room1 and the same thing may be said of female sparrow-hawks4 ,all the other small hawks may moult in company with others of the same sex4 ,in fact1 in the case of merlins and kestrels there is no harm in associating the two sexes1 provided all occupants of the club-room are kept1 as they should be1 constantly provided with plenty of food4 ,i am1 however1 disposed to think that when merlins are loose together a good deal of chevying about takes place1 which is apt to be dangerous to the growing feathers when the moult is nearly over4 ,the moulting-room should never be cold1 and still less damp4 ,in very wet and chilly weather artificial heat may be used in moderation4 ,for instance1 there may be a small fire in the room underneath1 or the flue of a lighted fire may pass up one of the sides of the room itself4 ,the window also should by all means face the south rather than the north4 ,the moult is quicker and better when a hawk is kept warm1 whereas anything like a chill may check1 or at least retard1 it seriously4 ,yet there is1 of course1 a difference between warmth and stuffiness4 ,of the two evils1 however1 ,i am inclined to believe1 with the ancients1 that over-ventilation is worse than over-closeness--if1 at least1 you are anxious to get quickly through with the moult4 ,the food for a moulting hawk should be nutritious without being too heavy4 ,it should be good and very plentiful4 ,in fact1 the bird should be able to eat whenever she has a fancy to1 and to eat as much as she will4 ,accordingly1 each time that rations are served out they should be ample to last until the next supply will be forthcoming4 ,in quality the viands may be rich and high-flavoured1 if the hawk can stomach them4 ,john ,barr moulted a falcon in an exceedingly short space of time by supplying her constantly with the heads1 necks1 and pinions of fat ducks1 keeping her mostly under a small tented shelter1 upon the outside of which a summer sun beat down with almost ferocious force4 ,he declared that the feathers1 nourished by the fat contained in these succulent meals1 came down broader and stronger1 as well as faster1 than he had ever known in other instances4 ,thus a grene goose was anciently recommended for moulting hawks' diet1 and on the same principle an ideal food for moulting merlins or sparrow-hawks would be fat quails4 ,these little hawks are1 however1 often nauseated by eating birds which are very fat4 ,the heads1 necks1 and pinions of fowls should always be given freely to moulting hawks1 not only because the meat on them is of a good kind1 but because they make capital tirings1 and so provide exercise at a time when exercise is very difficult to find4 ,mice for the small hawks1 rats for goshawks1 and rabbits for the other big hawks1 should also be often supplied2 and plenty of castings should be given1 or the internal fat which accumulates in a moulting hawk will either rob her of her appetite or cause some obstinate and perhaps dangerous disorder4 ,it is not to be supposed that the ancient falconers1 who were so fond of physicking their hawks1 could omit to discover artificial methods of expediting the moult4 ,a couple of specimens of fashionable prescriptions may be worth quoting for just what they are worth3 ,when ye meane to further the mewing of your hawke1 take of the snayles that have shelles1 stampe them shelles and all1 strayning them through a cloth1 and with the oyle that comes thereof wash hir meate two or three tymes4 ,also take of the snayles that lie in running streames1 give your hawke of them in the morning2 for that will both scowre hir and nourish hir greatly1 and setteth hir up and maketh hir to mew apace4 ,master ,michelin1 in his ,book of the ,king of ,cyprus1 sayeth thus3 ',cut an adder in two parts and seeth him in water1 and with that water and wheate togither fede your pullets1 pigeons1 turtles1 and other birds which you intend to allow your hawkes that are slack to mewe1 and soone after they shall mewe their feathers apace4' ,the personal attention paid to a moulting hawk varies very widely4 ,some falconers make frequent visits to the room1 and habituate the captive to come to the fist1 and be carried and handled and maintained in a very tame state4 ,the ancient falconers--and some of our own time--gave themselves very little trouble1 and left the moulting hawks pretty much to their own devices4 ,probably the one course has nearly as much to commend it as the other4 ,it seems more amiable and business-like to keep up1 even during the off-season1 that friendly intercourse with your hawk which is natural among friends1 and even some of those habits of obedience which you have so laboriously taught4 ,on the other hand1 while you are giving your hawk a holiday1 you may almost as well give her a real one as do it by halves4 ,she will very possibly moult a little quicker1 perhaps a little better1 if she has no worry at all1 and can concentrate her whole energies upon the mere growing of feathers1 just as she did when in the nest1 instead of having to bother herself about jumping to the fist--a mere perfunctory act of meaningless duty1 devoid of practical use or result4 ,the falconer will1 at least once a day1 visit the moulting-room1 if it is only for the purpose of changing the bath water1 clearing away the castings and the stray feathers of birds that have been plucked and eaten1 and gathering up any feathers which may have been dropped by the hawk herself4 ,the order in which these feathers fall is admirably arranged1 so that each new feather as it successively appears in the place of one that has dropped out finds itself between two completely grown feathers1 either old or new1 one on each side1 between which it can grow down with a protector right and left of it4 ,the deck feathers1 i4e4 the central feathers of the tail1 are the first to drop1 and in the wings the beam or longest feathers are about the latest to fall4 ,by this time the smaller feathers of the body and other parts will have mostly been changed4 ,by rights1 of course1 the change should be universal and complete1 but in peregrines and lanners it is often not so4 ,very commonly one of the former may be seen with several brown feathers interspersed among the light grey plumage of the first moult4 ,a falconer must be rather over-fastidious if he is put out at this2 but there is more reason for complaint when rusty-looking primaries1 well worn in the nestling stage of existence1 persist in keeping their places amongst the brand-new shafts and webs of flight feathers just come down4 ,a blue hawk thus parti-coloured1 looks as if there was something wrong with her2 and the owner is apt to fancy1 whether rightly or wrongly ,i cannot say1 that the old feathers abnormally left in are not as serviceable as new ones would have been4 ,at anyrate1 most falconers consider it rather a feather in their cap to have their hawks clean moulted1 that is to say1 with a complete suit of new feathers on their bodies4 ,occasionally it happens that without any apparent reason an eyess drops out some of her nestling feathers almost as soon as they have come fully down1 or1 as the old falconers termed it1 as soon as she is summed4 ,i have known a jack-merlin1 well hacked and fully trained1 and in first-rate condition1 drop his two deck feathers while sitting quietly on the pole-cadge on the way to be flown in the field1 and have seen him just afterwards fly as well as ever1 and give a good account of a ringing lark4 ,when any such little mishap occurs the hawk must of course be kept as high fed and fat as he can be consistently with proper obedience4 ,the jack ,i speak of found himself1 in consequence of his misfortune1 promoted to a position of special favour among his fellows4 ,an extra allowance of the best sort of food was daily permitted to him4 ,when he flew well--which1 by the way1 he always did--he had nearly as much as he liked to eat4 ,and when by reason of this very high feeding he refused to come to the dead lure1 a lark was generally walked up by beaters driving towards him as he sat on a rick1 so that he might be indulged with the flight for which his vain little soul was longing4 ,or1 if this could not be done1 he was left on his self-chosen perch until one of the other hawks went up after a ringing lark1 when he would come up like a meteor across the sky1 and join in1 sometimes to the great chagrin of the other hawk1 which had started under the impression that she was to have the field to herself4 ,in due course the new feathers grew down1 having the pretty blue-grey hue of the adult plumage1 and thus contrasting conspicuously with the five brown feathers on either side of them4 ,before the lark season was over they were fully down2 and my lord was quite a curiosity1 looking rather as if some waggish under-falconer had imped the two middle feathers of his tail with a couple of wood-pigeon's feathers instead of the proper ones4 ,a hawk which has once been moulted in captivity is said to be intermewed4 ,when the moulting hawk1 which has been mewed in the old-fashioned way to get through the process1 is summed with her new suit1 the falconer must not suppose that the troubles of the ordeal are over4 ,before the newly bedizened beauty can be flown again with any success she must be got into condition1 and1 if suffered to get wild during her long incarceration1 she must undergo a fresh ordeal of reclamation4 ,the old falconers give elaborate directions for conditioning a hawk when drawn from the mews4 ,it would be more tedious than profitable to reproduce their prescriptions1 most of which recommend nostrums too fanciful for this matter-of-fact age4 ,almost as well might a modern trainer be advised to get his man fit by means of the terrific potions and purges upon which ,caunt and ,belcher were brought into condition4 ,in these days we are partly too timid1 and partly1 ,i suspect1 also too lazy1 to compound together some score of ingredients1 more or less poisonous or distasteful1 and administer the product to an unwilling patient in the rather sanguine expectation that it will cure and not kill4 ,a simpler treatment is preferred for producing a result which is1 after all1 simple enough4 ,the problem is to get rid of that accumulation of fat which1 in a time of almost complete inactivity and overfeeding1 has encumbered the heart and liver and other internal organs of the hawk1 and until it is removed will make her dull1 sluggish1 and unmanageable4 ,this should certainly be done by medicine of some kind2 and the sooner it is done1 after the flight feathers are fully down1 the better4 ,any attempt to reduce the superfluous fat1 or to produce an appetite by means of mere hunger1 would be a great mistake4 ,the hawk would lose in strength and weight much more than she gained in condition2 and it would be a long time before1 by dieting alone1 you could get rid of the mischief which a couple of doses would almost put an end to immediately4 ,a simple purge and a simple emetic should be administered in any case2 and if the hawk is of a vivacious disposition1 and has not grown dull in the mews1 this may be found a sufficient physicking4 ,for the former nothing seems to be better than rhubarb4 ,a convenient mode of dosing a peregrine is in the form of a ,cockle's pill1 which may either be wrapped up in tissue paper and pushed down the throat with a small stick1 or concealed in a tough morsel of meat which the hawk swallows bodily4 ,a merlin or female sparrow-hawk should not have more than half one of these pills for a dose2 and a jack or musket even less than this4 ,goshawks may have more than the small hawks1 but not so much as a peregrine4 ,for those who want a more orthodox and time-honoured prescription1 the following may serve3--,take ,aloes ,cicotrine and graines of ,filander1 otherwise called ,stavesaker1 and ,cassia ,fistula1 as much of the one as of the other1 to the mountenance of a beane1 togither1 and when ye have beaten it into powder put it into a henne's gut of an inch long1 tied fast at both ends3 then convey it into hir in the morning1 so as she may put it over1 and that must be after shee hath cast1 if she had any casting at al4 ,then set your hawke by the fire or in the sunne1 and feede hir with a quicke chicken1 or some other live warme meate two houres after4 ,even in those days1 however1 it is plain that there were some misguided heretics who rebelled against the long-winded precepts of the esoteric school of hawk-doctors4 ,neverthelesse1 in stead of the sayd aloes1 ye may at youre discretion use common pilles1 such as ,potecaries give men to make them loose-bodyed4 ,and many are of opinion that they be much better than that other of aloes3 for the pilles drive downward and scowre more strongly and with greater effect4 ,it was an almost invariable rule with the old falconers to give washed meat to a hawk after the moult4 ,many of them1 indeed1 began to do so for about ten or fifteen days before the end of the moult2 and in the case of hawks which are now intended to be flown as soon as possible1 some preliminary steps of the kind should be taken while the last feathers are growing fully down4 ,washed meat is better than short rations in such a case as this1 where if you reduce the hawk's strength a little it is no great matter as long as she does not get thin withal4 ,but the grand desideratum for a newly-moulted hawk is plenty of carrying4 ,the effect of this discipline upon a wild-caught hawk has been already described2 it is quite as magical1 and still more speedy in its results in the case of one which has become wild in the mews4 ,this is one of the good things of which one cannot have too much4 ,it is more than one man's work to carry a single hawk as much as she ought to be carried when fresh from the moult4 ,if1 therefore1 there is not a man available for each1 let the one which is not being carried be pegged down at her block if it is fine1 or confined to the perch if it is not1 and provided with a tiring until there is someone who can take her again on his fist4 ,tirings must be kept going assiduously for the sake of the exercise1 and for the first few days all food that is not tirings should be given on the fist4 ,in short1 the trainer must go through1 with a moulted hawk1 most of the same processes1 more or less modified according to the character of the hawk1 as he went through when first reclaiming and making her to the lure4 ,long-winged hawks are1 of course1 less troublesome to reduce to orderly habits after the moult than sparrow-hawks or goshawks4 ,but then they require longer to get into wind4 ,for this purpose they must be called off to longer and longer distances1 and made to stoop hard at the lure4 ,at first their flight will be very heavy1 and their desire to mount nonexistent4 ,after a minute's stooping at the lure they will have their mouths open4 ,it will perhaps be quite difficult to keep them on the wing4 ,but they must not be excused2 and the much-enduring trainer must have the patience to wait1 swinging the lure until it pleases my lady to come to it1 and be keen in the cause4 ,it is altogether impossible to say how long it will be from the time when she is taken out of the moulting-room to the day when she can take the field once more4 ,a haggard1 dosed successfully1 and dieted with lucky precision1 may surprise you by getting fit quite quickly1 whereas an eyess which you expected to bring into fettle in a few days may prove more restive than she did when taken up from hack4 ,there is luck as well as skill in the treatment of each hawk4 ,but carrying is the sine qu non2 and the more a man carries his hawk the better chance he has of observing how his treatment works1 and whether it should be modified in one way or another4 ,the best hawks1 when well moulted1 will often become even better the next year2 and there is no reason why a moderate or even a poor hawk should not improve4 ,newly-moulted hawks should not be brailed1 nor allowed to be bareheaded in any place where they are likely to bate4 ,and of course great care will be taken for some little time that they are not left in a damp or draughty place or in the rain4 ,,chapter ,,xviii ,virtue and ,vice ,considering the great variety which exists in the character1 shape1 size1 colour1 and appearance of hawks1 it may be easily supposed that they differ also in strength1 speed1 and general capability4 ,perhaps the most notable of all points in which they are distinguished is in the matter of temper4 ,not only will the young birds from different eyries be unlike in this respect1 but the very same nest may produce one good-tempered hawk1 and another sulky2 one bold and confiding1 another timid and suspicious2 one vivacious and greedy after her food1 and another dull1 sluggish1 and indifferent about her meals4 ,nor are these discrepancies the result1 apparently1 of any different dieting or treatment4 ,they exhibit themselves in eyesses in the very earliest days of hack1 or even before1 and usually continue for a long time1 if not for life4 ,no doubt a good-tempered hawk may1 by falling into bad hands1 be changed into a bad-tempered one2 and some of those which seemed worst tempered when first caught1 or when first taken up from hack1 have by skilful management become quite amiable and well-behaved4 ,but the amount of care and art required for the one sort is very different from that needed for the other2 and very few beginners will be likely to achieve much success with a pupil which is thoroughly unmanageable by nature4 ,sparrow-hawks1 especially eyesses1 are1 as has already been said1 the most naturally untamable of the hawks usually trained1 with golden eagles a pretty good second2 and the most amenable are hobbies and merlins1 which often seem as if they rather liked being trained4 ,nothing more need be said here about tempers than that with a troublesome pupil the trainer must be extra patient and extra cautious1 and be continually on his guard against making a mistake4 ,hawks are from their earliest days very good judges of character2 and the more distrustful and apt to take offence any one of them may be1 the more determined must the falconer show himself to keep his temper and exhibit a philosophic calm in his demeanour4 ,the petulance and restiveness which some hawks display vanish to an extraordinary extent if such ebullitions of temper are quietly ignored1 and the offender1 apparently wishing to make herself designedly disagreeable1 finds herself treated as if she had played quite an amiable part4 ,but the least sign of impatience or anger on the part of the falconer is noted by an ill-conditioned hawk1 which thereupon seems to take a real delight in further aggravating her imprudent or hasty master4 ,there is a whole world of difference between the breaking of dogs and the breaking of hawks4 ,the former know when they deserve punishment1 and actually expect it4 ,they respect a man for chastising them when they have done wrong1 and rather despise him if he ignores the fault4 ,a hawk1 on the other hand1 must never be punished1 at least openly4 ,to strike a hawk1 or rate her1 is to forfeit at once her respect1 and what may be called her affection4 ,a dog is a slave by immemorial habit4 ,he knows intuitively that he is dependent upon man as a master4 ,but the hawk1 if she is worth her salt1 knows nothing of the kind4 ,turn her loose1 and instead of starving or begging1 like the lost dog1 she will well shift for herself4 ,she looks upon man as an ally rather than a master4 ,she likes to be treated as a friend and equal1 rather than as a dependant and a servant4 ,falcons1 especially1--that is1 the females of the long-winged hawks1--are excessively proud1 and even haughty2 and are mortally offended if any indignity is offered them4 ,but no matter what the hawk may be1 the true policy is constant kindliness1 or at least the outward semblance of it--a policy of rewards and not of punishments4 ,endeavour always to impress upon her the idea that you are her very best friend2 that her chief enjoyments in life are due to your foresight and assistance2 that her food1 her bath1 the block on which she stands at ease1 the well-padded1 sheltered perch1 and1 last but not least1 the opportunities for good and successful flights1 are provided by you4 ,then will she1 in the language of the medival falconers1 rejoice at the sight of you1 and like no place so well as the fist4 ,then will she fly the better when your voice cheers her on1 and begin her meal more comfortably when you are standing or sitting by4 ,it is well to treat the ill-tempered hawk somewhat as ,mrs4 ,gummidge was treated1 by making allowances4 ,possibly she may some day surprise you by the display of unsuspected virtues4 ,passing from the mental to the bodily characteristics of hawks1 we find that occasionally two hawks are so alike that it is almost impossible to distinguish them except by their jesses1 while others of the same kind and sex are so dissimilar that a stranger may find it difficult to believe that they do not belong to different species4 ,there are1 naturally enough1 good and bad hawks of every shape1 size1 and colour2 and it would be very rash to pronounce off-hand at the first sight of one that she is worth more than any other4 ,nevertheless there are certain peculiarities which are found in the average of instances1 taking many together1 to belong more commonly to the best hawks1 and others which in the great majority of cases betray the bad performer4 ,these have always been remarked4 ,they are mentioned in many ancient books1 written in many languages2 and there can be no doubt that after taking a good look at several individuals1 an experienced judge will pick out those which he would prefer to possess if he had the choice4 ,john ,barr told me upon this subject a rather pleasant story4 ,he was travelling southwards with a large number of hawks by train1 when at an intermediate station he met with the late ,prince ,dhuleep ,singh1 who during a great part of his life was a most enthusiastic and successful falconer1 by whom ,barr was at one time employed4 ,the ,prince immediately inspected the hawks1 which1 ,i believe1 were the same that were afterwards flown at ,epsom1 and in the course of conversation pointed out in their order the hawks which were likely to do best4 ,the falconer mentally noted the selection thus made1 and afterwards found that it was accurately justified by the result4 ,it is somewhat curious that the same characteristics which in one species of hawks mark out an individual for admiration or the reverse1 are mostly found to serve a like purpose in the other species4 ,the following short remarks1 therefore1 unless when otherwise specified1 may be taken as applying to hawks in general4 ,one of the very first points of which a critic will take note is the foot of a hawk4 ,long toes are a great merit2 and if they are slender and well separated at the bases1 it will be all the better4 ,nor is there anything mysterious or unnatural in this1 for1 the wider the area which the hawk's foot can cover1 the better chance she obviously has of catching hold with one talon or the other of the quarry at which she strikes4 ,another notable characteristic of the best feet is that they fasten themselves naturally with a clinging grip to the object of which they take hold1 adhering so closely to a glove or any soft surface that they seem almost to be glued or stuck to it1 and can only with difficulty be removed4 ,in fact1 the feet of some hawks1 when they have taken a firm hold1 can only be got off by picking the talons or claws out one after another with the hand4 ,the hawks which thus clutch are almost always good killers in the field4 ,many falconers attach some importance to the colour of a hawk's feet4 ,major ,fisher declares that a nestling peregrine with yellow feet is of little worth1 and that the best colour is lead-grey or greenish grey4 ,merlins in their early days often have very pale feet1 but some of the best of them1 when in high condition and fed daily on freshly-killed larks1 will put on a bright yellow and even a somewhat orange hue4 ,bright colours are undoubtedly a sign of health1 though they may not be of strength1 speed1 or courage4 ,the power which a hawk has in her feet seems usually to be a sure indication of corresponding vigour in the rest of her body4 ,the head of a specially good hawk is seldom big or round1 but wedge-shaped1 narrowing from the back rapidly towards the base of the beak1 and rather flat on the top than dome-shaped2 and there is a prominent eyebrow1 with a keen eye1 very full and bright4 ,the shoulders come very high up1 and are square1 as they would be called in a man4 ,there is a great deal of breadth in the upper back and in the breast1 where the pectoral muscles are situated1 and these muscles may be felt by the hand extending in a firm and ample bulk under the upper points of the wings4 ,the wings themselves have also an appearance of size and strength1 and each feather1 if separated from the next1 is seen to have a broad web and stout shaft4 ,the same may be said of the tail feathers2 but in these no extra length is desirable4 ,a short tail with plenty of strength and solidity is better both for useful and ornamental purposes2 and a hawk with a long flexible train like a kestrel is not to be preferred4 ,a strong and fast hawk often folds her wings close together1 so that the points cross one another quite high up over the tail4 ,the nostrils of a hawk should be large1 and the beak short4 ,no indication can be derived from the general colour of the feathers1 whether dark or light4 ,as regards size1 there is a prejudice against big falcons and small tiercels2 but this does not hold good with regard to the short-winged hawks1 in which strength is often the chief desideratum4 ,in the case of peregrines a very large falcon is often clumsy2 and the majority of brilliant performers whose names have come down with honour in the annals of falconry1 were rather under than over the average size4 ,one of the most famous peregrines of this century 7,aurora by name7 was of such an intermediate size that her owner for some considerable time mistook the sex4 ,as for merlins1 ,i do not remember any exceptionally big one that was not particularly stupid and remarkably slow4 ,a specially small jack1 however1 is by no means invariably a duffer4 ,so much for the appearance of hawks when standing at ease on the block or perch4 ,as soon as they are put on the wing the task of distinguishing between them in point of merit becomes very much more easy4 ,the good hawk1 when in good condition1 has a buoyancy in the air which is wanting in the other4 ,she flies with less effort1 and as if she liked the exercise4 ,it seems as natural to her to fly in a slanting line upwards as on a level4 ,when she spreads her wings and sails along they are held out to the very farthest possible extent1 and kept flat3 that is to say1 the tips are on a level with the back of the head1 or even a little above it4 ,the fast flier does not usually go along steadily through the air1 moving1 as a boating man would say1 on an even keel4 ,on a windy day one wing is often higher than the other1 and her course swerves more or less from time to time as she utilises or counteracts with a marvellous art1 not understood of men1 the wayward pressure of the disturbed air4 ,if you have to choose between a hack hawk1 which makes her way along with regular beats of beautifully even wings1 like a heron or a dove1 and one which hurls herself forward in unexpected lines like a lapwing1 by all means choose the latter4 ,do not suppose that either lapwings or haggard peregrines go crooked by accident1 or because they know no better4 ,they can go straight enough if they choose1 and will do so if it happens to be their game to play4 ,but just as a skater1 having only one skate on the ice1 can go along if he moves in divergent lines but not if he attempts to keep a straight line1 so it seems that by a sort of zigzaggy course more pace can be got up than by mere plodding straight-forward work4 ,it is only after watching many hundreds of flights that a man can hope even to begin to understand how birds1 both pursuer and pursued1 manoeuvre in the air1 trimming their sails1 so to speak1 so as to increase to the utmost1 the one the momentum of her stoop1 and the other the speed and suddenness of its shift4 ,haggards1 and the cleverest younger falcons1 fly more with the outer part of the wing than with the part nearest the body4 ,they work1 in fact1 rather with the joint which in the human body is the wrist than by the movement of the whole arm from the shoulder4 ,the saving of labour so effected is obvious enough4 ,only1 in order to fly thus1 the shoulders must be thrown very far back1 and the chest far more widely opened than it is by most eyesses4 ,when a hawk in stretching her wings while standing on the block raises them far above her head1 or when1 having bated off1 she hangs down from the fist1 and1 flopping with her wings1 brings them so near together behind her that they seem almost about to touch1 be sure that that hawk will fly better than one which carries her wings back to about a level with her back only4 ,it is in stooping at the lure that you can judge best as to the merits of rook-hawks or lark-hawks1 while1 of course1 those of game-hawks and duck-hawks are best tested by merely waiting on4 ,in the latter and more simple case that hawk will be preferred which goes up quickest and to the highest pitch without raking away too far4 ,but note1 in stooping to the lure1 which comes at it with the most headlong dash1 and1 having missed it1 throws up soonest and highest4 ,in a hard flight that hawk is most successful which after each stoop shoots up farthest1 rebounding1 as it were1 from the unsuccessful stoop1 and so keeping the command of the air1 so that the quarry1 even after the cleverest shift1 still finds his adversary on a higher level than himself4 ,the best hawks take great delight in stooping at the lure1 and may be cheered when they make a brilliant cut at it1 which will increase their excitement and zest4 ,sometimes1 getting to a distance from the falconer1 they will rush in at their very best speed1 and1 on the lure being twitched aside1 will shoot up almost in a perpendicular line2 then1 turning a sort of half-somersault1 they will come down in almost the same perpendicular line with the way of the original impetus apparently still on them4 ,a good footer at the lure is usually a good footer at her quarry2 and good footing is one of the most deadly qualities any hawk can possess4 ,another remarkable thing about hawks is that those which are the best-tempered are generally the boldest1 strongest1 and best fliers4 ,the reason is doubtless that bad temper proceeds to a large extent from timidity2 and timidity of mind is1 in nine cases out of ten1 either due to bodily weakness1 or at least connected with it4 ,by bad temper ,i do not1 of course1 understand mere anger4 ,some of the hawks which are the fiercest and most furious when first taken out of the bow-net1 prove the easiest to reclaim1 and the most obedient when trained4 ,sulkiness is the worst of the natural vices1 and it is unfortunately common enough1 not only in goshawks1 which are notorious for it1 but in all kinds of hawks4 ,out of one nest ,i have had one merlin which was almost the best-tempered and one which was almost the worst-tempered that ever ,i saw4 ,eyesses are more commonly sulky than passage hawks1 and very often display signs of this defect in the days of hack4 ,later on this develops into some more specific vice1 which will perhaps need great care and patience to cure or modify4 ,a short notice of the vices most prevalent amongst hawks will not be out of place1 for the treatment of these disorders is almost as well worth understanding as that of their bodily ailments4 ,carrying is a fault with which the falconer will generally first become acquainted4 ,the word is ill-chosen1 or rather ill-adapted from the ,norman charrier4 ,it would have been better if our ancestors had used such a term as bolting or lifting1 so that no confusion need have arisen between the word carrying1 as applied to holding a hawk on the fist1 and as applied to the hawk's action in taking up and flying away with her food4 ,however1 be the name what it may1 the practice is one to which all hawks are more or less naturally addicted1 although some in a very much greater degree than others4 ,merlins and hobbies are the most notorious offenders1 and wild-caught hawks of the long-winged kinds1 though not always troublesome in this way1 must be prevented for a long time from developing this habit1 or they will infallibly become spoilt and lost4 ,in the chapter on ,training1 some directions are given for guarding against this predisposition1 and curing the mischief when it has already arisen4 ,but of all safeguards and remedies1 by far the best is the habit already referred to of constantly instilling into the hawk the idea that your near presence is a thing to be desired1 and not disliked4 ,if a merlin or any other hawk shows the least inclination to carry when flying to the lure1 or when being taken up from it1 ,i would1 for a time at least1 never go near her on any occasion without taking a piece of food in the hand and giving it to her4 ,by this means in a few days she will look out for your coming1 and even listen for your step with all the pleasurable expectation that other tame animals await the coming of their feeder4 ,and in taking her up have always on your hand a piece of food which is either more tempting or at least more easily devoured than that which she has in her foot4 ,let the tit-bit be a mess of pottage--but not necessarily a big one--for the immediate fruition of which the silly bird 7as ,turbervile calls her7 will barter away all the prospective advantages of a freshly-killed partridge or a dainty pigeon4 ,these latter have to be plucked1 mark you1 before they can be eaten1 whereas the bright red morsel in your hand can be begun at once1 without any such trouble and delay4 ,in bad cases the vice of carrying may be corrected by a rather strong remedy1 which1 like all other hawking devices1 has long been practised4 ,before resorting to it1 see that the lure which you are going to use1 whether live or dead1 is quite a light one1 but very firmly fixed up1 so that no part of it1 or no part of the food with which it is garnished1 can come away4 ,then exercise your ill-behaved hawk in whatever way you prefer1 and let her ultimately get the lure and have it on the ground in her foot4 ,this lure will have a fairly long creance to it2 and you will keep hold all the time of the end of the line4 ,now1 as your hawk is on the ground with her food1 begin to make in as if you were approaching her after a real flight4 ,you may1 however1 do so much less cautiously4 ,if she bolts with her meal1 let her go four or five yards1 and then1 with a sharp1 sudden pull on the string1 twitch the whole apparatus out of her foot1 and let it come flying back towards you4 ,what with the way that the hawk has on her1 and the suddenness of your pull on the string1 the lure1 if properly fixed up1 is bound to be jerked away2 and my lady will have to trouble herself to turn round and come back towards you4 ,but1 of course1 if you so arrange your lure that it will part1 and the edible portion of it remain with the hawk1 while the inedible comes back to you with the creance1 you will have done ten times more harm than you expected to do good4 ,a few lessons of this kind will often cure even a determined carrier4 ,but ,i have known merlins which were cunning enough never to carry a light lure1 knowing from experience that it would be a mere waste of time1 and yet1 when they had taken a wild lark1 never doubted that they could make off with it if they liked4 ,there is a special sort of carrying to which many long-winged hawks are prone1 and it is still more difficult to cure than the practice commonly so called4 ,a hawk which is much fed on the fist1 and little on the ground--especially on damp or uncomfortable ground--will1 after taking her quarry and killing it1 stand still on the ground1 looking round with a restless air4 ,and after a while1 thinking1 apparently1 that the spot where she is is not exactly the most convenient that could be found for a meal1 will get up1 pelt in hand1 and fly off in search of one more desirable4 ,this is done out of no feeling of mistrust or deliberate conviction that her prize is likely to be taken from her4 ,thus the fact that the hawk is quite tame1 and even likes your company at her dinner1 is no safeguard against this vexatious habit4 ,i have known a jack-merlin which was frequently easy to take up1 bolt with a full-sized lark1 and carry it1 as if it weighed no more than a feather1 for nearly half a mile1 searching for a place which was good enough for my lord to picnic on1 and disdaining several flat mounds which lay in his way1 and which would have formed luxurious tables4 ,the same hawk once carried a lark about six hundred yards in one direction1 and then1 seeing no specially attractive ground on that side1 came back the whole way1 and1 flying past at about fifty yards distance1 settled on a rough1 dirty heap two or three hundred yards in a different direction4 ,had he gone straight on for the same length of time in the original direction1 he would either have been lost and left out1 or only found by accident after a search of long duration4 ,sometimes a hawk1 too dainty to feed on the ground amongst prickly stubble or tall1 wet turnip-leaves1 will go off with her quarry into a tree1 which is not a particularly comfortable dining-place1 but which she chooses to prefer4 ,mr4 ,st4 ,quintin had a fine falcon which persisted in this vice1 until he actually got rid of her4 ,other hawks1 especially merlins1 delight in going off to ricks to plume and eat their quarry4 ,there are not many trees in places where the best merlins are flown1 but there are always plenty of ricks4 ,sometimes it is possible to climb these structures2 and many a time has the falconer1 if a small man1 been hoisted up on the shoulders of some stalwart friend1 or1 if he is stalwart himself1 has given a back to some smaller man1 or even a man and a boy1 ladderwise4 ,often1 however1 the rick is unclimbable4 ,then what is to be done8 for you cannot drag a ladder for miles over the downs4 ,the surest way is to carry a long coil of string1 with a bullet at one end4 ,stand at one side of the rick on which your hawk is quietly and contentedly plucking her victim2 sling the bullet over the top of the rick1 and as nearly over the head of the hawk herself as your skill and the wind will allow4 ,then1 if you have an attendant1 let him take hold of the end of the string which has no bullet attached1 and which has not gone flying over the rick4 ,if you have no companion1 peg down this last-mentioned end at a good distance from the rick4 ,then walk to the other side and pick up the bullet4 ,pulling the string taut1 drag it sideways1 so that the line scrapes along the top of the rick1 and1 coming to the hawk's self-chosen dining-place1 sweeps the whole affair1 dinner1 hawk1 and all1 away4 ,if the line should get entangled in the quarry1 so much the better2 you can pull it down to the ground4 ,if not1 the hawk may1 of course1 carry to another rick1 and recommence the same trick4 ,but after repeated scrapings-off she generally gets sick of the worry1 and condescends to go down to the ground4 ,a simpler and more unceremonious way of interfering with the offender is to pelt her with clods of earth1 or even flints1 until one of them either hits her or goes so near that she thinks it advisable to decamp4 ,i have known a hawk sit so stolidly on a rick that though flints went within two inches on either side of her1 she took no notice1 and went on eating4 ,others1 old offenders1 know as well as their master what happens when they go to rick4 ,they would be rather surprised if they did not see him bending down as he makes his way towards them1 collecting suitable missiles1 and if he did not begin at once the familiar sport of hawk-stoning4 ,such hawks may be called rick-hawks2 and they are about as trying to the temper as anything which the falconer has to contend with4 ,they are1 however1 not quite so bad as tree-hawks4 ,a falconer who is possessed of one of these last-named treasures must add to his other accomplishments that of being a good shot with a small stone4 ,what remedy there is for the hawk which carries out of pure caprice it is not easy to say4 ,in the first place1 she must be habituated to take some of her food on the ground--tirings anyhow1 which hitherto have perhaps been taken on the block or the perch4 ,let them be fastened down by a peg or a weight1 sometimes on damp ground1 sometimes even in prickly stubbles1 so that the over-dainty hawk may learn that eating on the ground is not so bad after all4 ,then she ought to be flown sharp-set1 so that1 being in a hurry for her food1 she should be glad enough to pluck it quickly and on the first place where she alights4 ,give this sort of hawk as large a quantity of flying as ever you can4 ,fly her1 if you have the choice1 at the most difficult quarry1 and in the most difficult places4 ,never mind so much if she succeeds or not4 ,it is better to lose a few rooks or partridges than to lose your hawk4 ,fly her1 therefore1 as often and as hard as you can4 ,never mind whether her score or her average is bad4 ,it is better to make a poor score than to think your hawk is a good one when she isn't4 ,a good deal of the restlessness which makes a hawk flit about with her quarry is due to her being short of exercise4 ,if1 therefore1 you can make your hawk fly more1 either at the lure or in the field1 than she has a mind to1 she is much less likely to go fooling about before attending to the business of feeding herself4 ,of course it is very difficult to do this1 as twenty or thirty miles more or less is a mere exercise canter for a peregrine4 ,but many trained hawks get a great deal less than this in a whole day4 ,there is a device which ,i should like to see tried with a carrying hawk1 but it requires some patience and good temper4 ,get some stuffed birds of the proper kind1 at which you mean to fly your hawk2 use them1 unweighted1 as lures1 and when the hawk has taken them and come down1 let go the string and approach her cautiously with food in hand as if you were making in to her after killing a real bird4 ,if she bolts1 let her go and make what she can of the stuffed bird4 ,about twenty minutes after you will have her back1 furious1 but perhaps less ready to bolt away from the food in your hand--a sadder1 but possibly a wiser1 hawk4 ,when a hawk1 being carried on the fist bareheaded1 ready to be thrown off at quarry1 keeps jumping off in a tiresome way at nothing1 ten to one she is not quite ready to fly4 ,better put on her hood and let her wait for an hour or so1 and go on with another hawk1 if you have one to fly1 and1 if not1 light a pipe4 ,hurry no man's hawks1 not even your own4 ,it would be rather a misnomer to call soaring a vice4 ,this1 which is one of the most beautiful accomplishments of the wild falcon1 is the natural mode of taking daily exercise4 ,to see it in perfection1 look at a wild peregrine or a wild hobby--you have there what enthusiasts describe as the poetry of motion4 ,all hawks1 eagles and vultures soar by nature4 ,it is their way of stretching their wings1 and of taking the air where it is cool and fresh4 ,kestrels do a sort of humble soaring in search of their food1 and hobbies actually feed themselves1 like swifts1 on the wing4 ,to say1 therefore1 that a trained hawk which adopts this orthodox method of keeping herself fit is thereby committing a fault1 is rather hard upon her4 ,nevertheless it is a very vexatious habit1 when over-indulged in1 and1 speaking from a practical point of view1 is not to be too much encouraged4 ,hobbies1 when flown in the middle of the day1 even sharp-set1 will stay up constantly for a quarter of an hour and even more1 taking little apparent notice of the swung lure1 or at the most striking at it without catching hold1 or at least coming down with it to the ground4 ,to do them justice1 they seldom go far away1 but often look as if they meant to do so1 which1 indeed1 they occasionally do1 especially at migrating times4 ,but a peregrine which has taken to the soar often seems so engrossed in the pleasant occupation as to forget all about mundane affairs1 and1 sailing along in ever-widening circles1 drifts farther and farther down-wind1 until the falconer1 if unmounted1 can keep her in view no longer4 ,then1 when she is beginning to tire of her amusement1 and to remember that she has1 after all1 a crop to fill1 she will very likely wing her way back to where she last saw the falconer wistfully swinging her despised lure4 ,but what if an unlucky pigeon then heaves in sight8 or if some unsuspecting yokel puts up a partridge or a rook8 ,there is nothing to prevent her from having a shot at it3 and1 if she kills1 good-bye to my lady for that day4 ,if you find her1 it will be more by good luck than anything else4 ,hawks will go soaring because they are short of exercise1 because they feel hot from insufficient bathing1 or because1 not being particularly hungry1 they prefer a few minutes' free roaming about to immediately dining4 ,consequently a hawk which has shown herself fond of the practice and slow at coming to the dead lure1 should be offered a bath whenever she is at all likely to take it--once a day1 in very hot weather4 ,she should have lots of flying and stooping to the lure1 for1 as she is fond of the upper air1 there is the less chance of her hanging about round the falconer and spoiling her pitch4 ,finally1 she should be a bit keen after her food before she is put on the wing4 ,soaring and waiting on are analogous things1 or rather they are the same with a difference4 ,the best game-hawks1 which wait on mountains high1 are soaring as they do so2 that is1 the movement of the wings is the same1 but the difference is that the waiter-on is1 as it were1 anchored to a fixed point below--the man or the dog1 whereas the soarer is merely floating about like a yacht which has no particular destination4 ,the vice of raking away differs only from that of soaring away by the fact that it may be done at any height4 ,half-trained hawks1 before they have done any real work in the field1 are very apt to wait on in the wrong place4 ,they know as much as that they are expected to keep within sight of the falconer1 but not that they ought to be directly overhead2 and1 through laziness1 or because they prefer stooping at the lure up-wind1 they allow themselves to drift away to lee4 ,hardly have they come up level with the man than they at once fall back on the wind1 lowering their pitch1 if pitch it can be called1 so that for all useful purposes their attendance is a mere sham1 and they might as well be on the falconer's glove4 ,repeating this idiotic performance in the field1 they are some hundreds of yards to leeward1 and at a low elevation1 when the grouse or partridge get up1 and a stern-chase ensues1 in which the quarry1 going up-wind1 gets the best of it4 ,for this annoying vice there is no direct remedy4 ,experience may be expected to teach the young hawk better4 ,one plan is to let loose pigeons1 while the hawk is so waiting on1 so that1 after missing some1 by reason of raking and low flying1 and perhaps catching others when flying properly1 she may understand at last how success is to be had4 ,checking is a crime to which we are not now so much exposed as were the old falconers4 ,bird life is not so abundant now1 at least in ,england1 that a hawk is confronted often with an embarras de richesses1 and leaves her legitimate quarry for a stray bird of a different species4 ,eyesses1 indeed1 if kept to one quarry1 will often hardly be induced to pursue any other4 ,passage hawks are more ready to check at birds which cross their path4 ,it would be rather too much to expect a haggard falcon1 which in her time has struck down birds of fifty different kinds1 to discriminate very nicely between a plump partridge and a fat wood-pigeon when ,providence threw either within reach of an easy stoop4 ,it is when a passage hawk has been flown at rooks in the spring1 and afterwards at game in the game season1 that there is the chief danger of checking4 ,as long as the sable quarry is alone attempted the risk is not great4 ,the hawk is flown out of the hood at quarry actually in sight4 ,it is only when that quarry has saved itself that the temptation to check occurs1 and at that moment there are1 or ought to be1 lures waving near at hand4 ,but encourage the rook-hawk to become a game-hawk1 and the case is altogether changed4 ,she has to go up alone1 with nothing particular in view1 and wait aloft till the falconer springs her quarry4 ,moreover1 she knows now that rooks are not the only lawful game4 ,she is at full liberty to go at grouse2 and1 if grouse1 why not wood-pigeons and house-pigeons1 gulls1 or curlew8 ,why not anything which is desirable1 and which tempts her roving eyes8 ,the besetting sin of the checking peregrine is the chase of pigeons1 wild and tame4 ,often1 it must be admitted1 this sin is the outcome of the falconer's own action4 ,has he not himself used a pigeon as a live lure8 ,has he not1 when teaching his pupil to wait on1 let loose a pigeon with the express intention that she should fly it8 ,if he has never had occasion to do so in training his passage hawk he has been exceptionally lucky4 ,as regards pigeons1 it is generally pretty easy to break peregrines of checking at them as soon as they have once begun to fly at game4 ,to achieve this feat get a good number of very good pigeons--say a dozen1 the faster the better2 make the hawk wait on at a short distance--say #fjj yards--from some covert in which the pigeon1 if he can get as far1 will be safe from pursuit2 then1 while the hawk is waiting on that side of you which is farthest from the covert1 let go one of the pigeons4 ,the hawk will start1 but the pigeon1 if a good one1 will manage to make the covert2 the hawk will throw up1 and1 if all is well1 come down to your dead lure4 ,repeat this performance1 always making as sure as you can that the pigeon will save himself1 until your pupil has got sick of the whole business1 and at last refuses to go for such disappointing quarry4 ,if you can put in1 between whiles1 an easy flight at a grouse or partridge1 and reward the hawk well upon it1 the contrast will be all the more striking1 and she will begin to have a settled conviction that game-hawking is capital fun1 whereas pigeon-hawking is a fraud4 ,it is obvious that a somewhat similar trick may be used with regard to other birds besides pigeons--flying the hawk in impossible places at those which you don't want her to pursue1 and in easy places at those which you do4 ,some hawks1 which ought to know better1 from laziness or want of condition1 will not remain on the wing1 but go off1 after a few turns in the air1 to a tree or to the ground1 and there sit waiting for the lure1 or till the spirit moves them to stir4 ,this is disheartening conduct1 quite unworthy of a ladylike or gentlemanly hawk1 and disgraceful in a falcon-gentle4 ,yet so it is that many of these high-born dames1 and not a few tiercels also of noble birth1 are so lost to a sense of their own dignity that they give way to this degrading weakness1 and demean themselves to the level of a base-born short-wing4 ,what is to be done with them8 ,various devices have been tried with varying success4 ,in the first place1 as the hawk behaves in an ignoble manner1 she cannot complain if you treat her in ignoble wise4 ,you may therefore ride at her as she sits on the ground1 and force her to get up1 or you may throw clods at her1 and drive her out of her tree2 but the surest plan--only it requires time and patience--is to let her cure herself4 ,light a pipe and sit down in a comfortable place1 if such there be1 and leave the sinner alone until the spirit does move her to stir4 ,at some time or other1 varying from five minutes to five hours1 she will want the lure badly enough4 ,then let her come for it4 ,keep her waiting on or stooping at the lure till she has had a good dose of it1 and if she goes off to perch again1 wait again till she will work for her living4 ,show her1 in fact1 that in coming to the lure she is conferring no great favour on you1 as she seemed to imagine1 but rather that the boot is on the other leg4 ,next time it is more than probable that she will work a little rather than go fasting1 when she might have a good meal at once4 ,if you have time and patience to read her a few such lessons she may gradually be brought to exhibit some activity4 ,but give her a dose as well4 ,for liver has probably something to do with the matter1 as well as mere laziness4 ,a hawk which is hood-shy is a plague to you and to herself4 ,very few hawks exhibit this vice except through the trainer's fault4 ,but trainers are not all good hooders2 and a few bungling and unsuccessful attempts at hooding will make even the best-natured hawk hate the very sight of the hood4 ,if1 therefore1 the beginner is not clever at the art1 let him practise on a kestrel4 ,or1 if he will have one of the better hawks1 let him get a skilful hand to break her to the hood4 ,to hood a hawk which is already broken is a comparatively easy matter2 but it is the nature of a hawk1 as of any other creature1 to dislike being blindfolded1 and the wonder is that hawks can be made to submit to it as readily as they do4 ,occasionally a hawk has such a rooted objection to the proceeding that the cleverest man never succeeds in quite overcoming it4 ,vesta1 already mentioned1 was hood-shy1 though in good hands2 but even then the objection felt by the sufferer can only by a perversion of terms be rightly called a vice4 ,hood-shyness1 even in a pronounced form1 has often been cured1 and1 as has already been said1 a hood-shy hawk cannot be considered fully trained4 ,whenever the hawk is difficult to hood1 she should be handled constantly1 and the trainer should almost always have a hood in his right hand4 ,the actual condition of being hooded is not disagreeable to many hawks--it is the indignity and discomfort involved in the process of putting on the apparatus that give rise to the trouble4 ,the smaller the hawk1 the more difficult she is to hood2 and the mischief is not only that the hawk's feathers are in danger whenever she is hooded against her will1 but also that her temper is ruffled1 and the relations between her and her trainer become strained4 ,one of the most annoying errors into which a hawk can fall1 is a belief in her own vocal powers4 ,no hawk ever has at all a musical voice1 and the exercise of it1 even in moderation1 can quite well be dispensed with4 ,unfortunately1 most eyesses which have been taken very young from the nest develop quite early in life a tendency to cry out4 ,when there are several of them together they often catch the habit from one another1 and becoming worse as their feathers come down1 are by the time they are ready to fly confirmed screamers4 ,no cure has1 ,i believe1 been discovered for this vice1 except that of turning them out to hack1 which in nine cases out of ten proves successful4 ,i have several times known a family of hawks when first turned out1 to keep up for the first day or two an almost incessant screeching1 and yet ,i have taken up the same birds at the end of hack completely cured4 ,generally1 as soon as a young hawk finds that she can expend all her superfluous energy in flying about1 and that no sort of attention is ever paid to her eloquence1 she gets tired of indulging in the weakness4 ,i know1 however1 of a case where hobbies too early taken were actually lost at hack1 and never came at all either to lure or hack board1 and yet continued to scream when quite wild for at least more than a week afterwards4 ,passage hawks1 ,i believe1 never scream4 ,it is often supposed that no wild hawks scream1 and this1 ,i think1 is as a rule true4 ,but ,i have heard young wild kestrels scream for a few days after they could fly1 and one lot of wild merlins1 though they were fully summed1 and had probably been already driven away by the parents to shift for themselves1 were what may be called bad screamers4 ,they would scream while soaring1 ten minutes at a time1 and at such a height that the sound could only just be heard4 ,it is true that there were trained merlins about at the time1 and possibly they may have been calling to them4 ,it is quite a common thing for hawks which are entirely free from the vice to call out when they see another hawk unexpectedly4 ,they will do it even when they see their own likenesses in a looking-glass4 ,if the hawk1 after being well hacked1 still retains vestiges of the bad habit1 there is yet another chance4 ,the flying and killing wild quarry has often a magical effect in curing this vice1 which would seem1 like some other malpractices1 to be largely the result of idleness4 ,still there are instances where1 in spite of all the advantages which an eyess enjoys1 she will persist in screaming4 ,some of them will go so far as to scream with the hood on1 though this is rare4 ,as a rule a screaming hawk is not a good performer4 ,and she ought to be a very good one1 in order to make it worth the falconer's while to be plagued with her4 ,if you turn her adrift you may possibly1 after a few days1 catch her again and find her cured2 and if not1 you will not have suffered a very severe loss4 ,a still more disheartening fault is that of refusing4 ,people who know nothing at all about falconry are apt to suppose that when once you have tamed your hawk1 and can call her back to you when you like1 the only thing which remains to be done is to walk with her into a field1 show her a bird1 and let her go4 ,that she should fail to pursue it is a contingency which does not present itself to their minds4 ,it is1 however1 unfortunately one that constantly occurs1 not only with eyesses1 but also with the boldest of wild-caught hawks4 ,the novice gets his hawk into a fine state of obedience4 ,she will come a long distance to the lure as soon as it is produced4 ,but when the long-expected day arrives for the first flight at a wild quarry1 and perhaps an expectant field of friends turns out to see the sport1 the wild bird is put up1 the hawk is thrown off with a lusty shout1 and1 without taking the smallest notice of her intended victim1 goes quietly on her way either to wait on for the lure or to take perch in a pleasant spot4 ,even when hawks have been entered1 and have begun to fly in earnest1 you cannot be absolutely sure when you cast them off whether they will be in the humour to do their best4 ,they may begin the flight in apparently faultless style1 and go up bravely in the most orthodox of rings after the ringing quarry4 ,and then as they seem to be getting on terms with their rook or lark1 you may see the fatal spreading of their wings1 and have the painful conviction forced upon you that they have shown the white feather and thrown up the game4 ,this vice--of flying tail to tail1 as the old falconers term it--is a most disheartening one for a beginner to meet with2 so much so1 that some old writers regard such a hawk as hopeless1 and advise giving her away to a friend6 ,i have found it strongly developed in the only two hobbies ,i ever tried to train2 and a like result has1 to my knowledge1 followed in several other instances4 ,these hawks have made rings and followed a wild lark up4 ,but they have never taken even so much as a bad one6 ,i had a merlin which out of #da flights killed #dj larks4 ,but the one occasion when she missed she refused--or at least left the lark in the air4 ,possibly this was because she was flown too soon after the last flight4 ,but the disgrace remains recorded against her name in the quarry-book4 ,to guard against this sad catastrophe you must encourage your hawk2 that is1 you must keep up her courage1 which is the thing most severely tested in a ringing flight4 ,you must feed her well2 yet keep her digestion in perfect order4 ,and you must strengthen her muscles by constant hard exercise4 ,it is not enough for her to go out and kill a couple of indifferent rooks in two or three short easy flights4 ,if there is not enough good quarry--difficult quarry--to be found for her1 you can give her a good spell of stooping at the lure1 or in the case of a game-hawk1 a long waiting on when the wind is highest1 probably about midday4 ,she must have tirings galore4 ,and if she has refused once1 fly her sharp-set the next time4 ,hawks will refuse through being too fat as well as through being too lean4 ,avoid1 if possible1 giving your best hawks bad quarry1 or your worst hawks any that are too good4 ,the former may refuse a specially good one because they are accustomed to take duffers1 and the latter may refuse because they have not yet gained confidence in their own powers4 ,goshawks are capricious creatures2 they will refuse a leveret1 and half an hour later fly well at a full-grown hare4 ,other hawks may refuse if flown too early in the day1 and yet do a fine performance if tried again later on4 ,with a hawk that persistently refuses you should try every remedy that your ingenuity will suggest as likely to inspire her with a proper sense of her duty4 ,try feeding up2 try flying her very hungry4 ,physic her for liver1 with one prescription after another4 ,and if all fail1 give the hawk away1 or1 better still1 cast her loose in an open country where the keepers don't shoot hawks4 ,she then will have the choice between working and starving2 and she will very soon know how to decide the question4 ,the last1 and in one way the most serious1 vice which has to be referred to1 is that of running cunning4 ,i do not think it is common1 if even it prevails at all among passage hawks2 and what there is to be said about it in the case of eyesses1 has been said in the chapter on ,lost ,hawks1 propos of ,ruy ,lopez4 ,we have thus a list of seven deadly sins1 or so-called sins1 to which trained hawks are prone--carrying 7better called lifting71 refusing1 checking1 perching1 hood-shyness1 screaming1 and running cunning4 ,there are a few minor faults which hardly amount to more than peccadilloes1 and deserve only a passing notice4 ,sometimes a hawk will keep bating off in a tiresome way4 ,this is when she is strong and well1 but short of exercise1 and perhaps a bit feverish4 ,the remedy is simply to hood her up4 ,it is far less annoyance to her to stand hooded than to fatigue or worry herself by constant tugging and straining at her jesses4 ,but1 as a matter of fact1 for hawks to stand hooded for any reasonable time is no annoyance to them at all1 after they have worn the hood a few times4 ,if it were1 we should find that they suffered from it in health1 strength1 temper1 or somehow1 which is not known to be the case4 ,merlins1 however1 and male sparrow-hawks should be left unhooded more than other hawks4 ,and they must not be expected to fly1 like peregrines1 immediately the hood is removed4 ,the same cause will induce hawks sometimes to pick and pull at their jesses or at the covering of the perch1 or even at the glove4 ,the remedy is to smear the jesses or perch or glove with aloes or some bitter preparation1 which is distasteful to them1 but will do no harm if they like to go on picking1 but rather good4 ,it has been said 7p4 #cb7 that goshawks and sparrow-hawks cannot be flown in casts 7i4e4 two of them together74 ,this is on account of the great probability that they will fight or crab4 ,there is also1 in the case of long-winged hawks1 some danger that the like trouble may arise1 especially if one or both of the individuals thrown off has a bad temper of her own4 ,accordingly1 it is often well that each hawk intended to be used for double flights should be first flown single a few times1 until she has become keen after her quarry1 so that she may be too intent upon the pursuit of it to quarrel with her colleague1 when flown double4 ,but eyesses which have been well hacked and well reclaimed are seldom addicted to this vice1 which is still more rare in passagers4 ,as to the difficulties attending double flights with merlins1 see the remarks made at page #ada2 and as to entering a young hawk with the assistance of an older one as make-hawk1 see pages #aac1 #adb4 ,some hawks1 especially the wild-caught1 will not bathe1 but after tasting the water in the bath1 and perhaps making as if they would go in1 hesitate for a long time1 and at last jump back to their block4 ,some will not even bowse1 or sip the water4 ,this is vexatious1 for bathing undoubtedly improves the feathers besides merely cleaning them1 and keeps the hawks free from parasites and from small attacks of feverishness4 ,it also cleans their feet1 and makes them more hardy and robust4 ,the best plan in such cases is to see that the bath-water is never too cold1 to let a hawk which bathes well bathe in the sight of the recusant1 and to keep the bath on fine days within reach of the latter4 ,such a hawk should also have her feet bathed now and then while on the perch2 and her beak should be kept clear of any scraps or stains which may remain on it after feeding4 ,this wiping of the beak should1 however1 be done in any case1 if the hawk is not careful herself about feaking1 or rubbing the refuse off her mandibles4 ,such is the rather long list of faults and vices4 ,let us not end up the chapter with these1 but hark back to the virtues1 and remind the reader that these are also great4 ,speed1 courage1 mounting1 and footing3 these may be called the cardinal virtues4 ,some hawks are born with some or all of them3 some achieve them2 while upon others--well1 they must be thrust4 ,the mode of treatment suggested in the preceding pages has been found by long experience to be the best for developing the good qualities in a hawk as well as for eliminating the bad4 ,exercise and practice are the essential requisites4 ,nature is then working on the trainer's side4 ,every hawk should be made as often as possible to earn her food by hard work4 ,and every hawk should be encouraged to take a pleasure in her work and a pride in herself4 ,exercise means speed2 and speed means success4 ,with success will naturally come courage2 and excellence in mounting and footing is no more than the inevitable result of proper practice in the right sort of flights4 ,all hawks in the wild state can kill many sorts of quarry4 ,all trained hawks1 therefore1 should be able to take at least one4 ,but if any man expects to become a falconer off-hand1 he will be disappointed4 ,if he will begin moderately1 with one hawk1--a kestrel for choice1--and train her single-handed and completely1 he will soon be able to attempt much greater things4 ,,chapter ,,xix ,anecdotes and ,adventures ,if history is rightly called the practical illustration of philosophy1 then the quarry-book may be considered with justice the tangible test of the falconer's theories4 ,in many cases a handful of experience is worth a cart-load of advice2 and a trainer who has lost a valuable hawk by treating her in a bad way is not likely to forget in a hurry how bad that system proved4 ,some entertaining and very instructive anecdotes may be found scattered about in the old books1 and more especially in that of ,charles d',arcussia1 ,lord of ,esparron and ,revest1 the ,italian who was falconer to ,louis ,,xiii41 and was honoured by him with special favour4 ,this treatise1 which is difficult to procure1 is well worth perusal1 not only for the descriptions contained in it of remarkable flights1 but for the sound sense of many of the precepts given4 ,between the ,french and ,italian schools of falconry1 as of fencing1 a sort of friendly rivalry existed2 and the ,italian1 who had become a ,frenchman1 may be said1 in a way1 to have represented both4 ,coming to more modern times1 a great many interesting details of a historical and anecdotal kind are given in the works already mentioned1 published during the last fifty or sixty years1 beginning with the fine illustrated volume of ,schlegel and ,wulverhorst1 and including the new edition of ,mr4 ,j4 ,e4 ,harting's ,hints4 ,without going over any of the ground covered by these writers1 ,i propose to add a few notes of actual experiences within the memory of man4 ,for most of these ,i am indebted to the kindness of brother-falconers1 who have supplied them at some trouble to themselves1 and whom ,i desire to thank heartily for their friendly aid4 ,the powers of a trained peregrine are severely tested by a first-rate house-pigeon1 which is one of the fastest of flying things1 shifts well1 and lives usually in fine condition1 taking plenty of exercise4 ,adrian ,mllen told me that a fellow-countryman of his1 vilipending his passage hawks which he was then training for the campaign at herons at the ,loo1 offered to bet that three of his own pigeons would beat any hawk ,mllen could produce4 ,as the hawks were not ,mllen's1 and it is always quite on the cards that a flight at a fast pigeon may result in the loss of the hawk1 the falconer had to ask leave before accepting the bet4 ,the king's brother1 who then represented the ,loo ,club in ,holland1 readily gave permission1 and1 ,i think1 also offered to pay if the hawk lost4 ,anyhow1 a day was fixed1 and a small party assembled on the most open part of the ,loo4 ,the falconer had stipulated that he should give the signal for the release of the pigeons by the owner4 ,his fastest falcon was then put on the wing1 and as she waited on ,mllen gave the word4 ,the pigeon started2 the hawk stooped1 and1 after a good flight1 killed4 ,she was allowed to eat the brain1 and the rest of the pelt was thrown to the disconcerted fancier4 ,a second pigeon was then prepared4 ,the hawk again waited on1 and the signal was again given4 ,this time1 however1 the pigeon was taken at the first stoop4 ,out with your third pigeon1 cried ,mllen1 elated with the double victory4 ,but the countryman elected to pay1 and not to play4 ,my third gold piece is lost anyhow1 he sadly remarked4 ,better pay my money1 and save my remaining pigeon1 than find ,i have to lose both4 ,the statement that a peregrine cutting down a grouse or partridge without binding kills it stone-dead in the air1 is doubtless occasionally true4 ,but to suppose that this is a common occurrence would be a great mistake4 ,much more often the partridge is stunned or dazed1 the wing broken1 or the back or neck dislocated4 ,but the force with which a game-bird comes down when hit in the air is often very great1 and enough in itself to almost fatally bruise it4 ,i have mentioned that a falcon of ,major ,fisher's knocked down a grouse on fairly level ground which1 so great was the impact1 rebounded from the earth1 and came down again fifteen yards from the place where it first fell4 ,larks and other birds often dash themselves hard against the ground in shifting downwards from the stoop1 and bound up again like balls4 ,peregrines1 when on their day and intent on killing1 will sometimes do more execution than would readily be believed4 ,not very long ago a tiercel stooped at a covey1 cut down a bird1 and threw up with the intention of descending to seize the victim4 ,but at the height to which his impetus had carried him up he was right above the remainder of the covey1 which was speeding away at a short distance above the ground4 ,changing his mind1 therefore1 the tiercel stooped again at one of the fugitives4 ,he cut this down also1 and shot up again1 likewise over the retreating birds4 ,for a second time the temptation proved too great1 and with a third stoop he took a third partridge4 ,john ,barr was flying a ger-tiercel at a pigeon on ,epsom ,downs1 not far from ,tattenham ,corner4 ,but the hawk was no match for the pigeon1 which evaded all his stoops4 ,instead1 however1 of making off and thanking his lucky stars1 this over-vain bird stayed fooling around4 ,confident that the ger would not or could not catch him1 he sailed about1 as if chaffing the big hawk and challenging him to do his worst4 ,at this moment an amateur falconer came on the ,downs by the ,grand ,stand1 carrying a falcon 7peregrine7 of by no means first-rate powers1 but keen to fly1 and a good waiter on4 ,getting on to the open ground1 this gentleman threw off his falcon4 ,but neither he nor his falcon at first saw the pigeon1 nor did the latter1 intent on his game with the ger1 espy the distant foe4 ,thus the hawk had time to get up some way before there was any suspicion on either side that there was sport to be had4 ,as soon as the falcon did cast eyes on the inadvertent pigeon1 she fortunately went up higher1 instead of starting in pursuit1 as some eyesses would have done4 ,as she got to a pretty good pitch the pigeon at last became aware that there was a second enemy in the field1 or rather in the air1 and began to gird up his loins for flight in bitter earnest4 ,it was1 however1 now too late4 ,the falcon towered far above1 and on the other side was the allied power1 the ger4 ,another ten seconds and the falcon came down with a will1 threw up1 and at the second shot did for the too imprudent joker4 ,the amateur had the laugh at ,john ,barr for some days afterwards1 having wiped his ger's eye with a peregrine4 ,mr4 ,riley1 who has had so much success with the short-winged hawks1 had thrown off a goshawk at a rabbit1 which ran past some old hollow pollard ashes4 ,as he passed1 out jumped a fox and joined in the chase4 ,this1 however1 boded no great good for the hawk2 and her owner raised so unearthly a noise that reynard turned aside into the fence just as the goshawk took the rabbit only two or three yards away4 ,on another occasion a rabbit was ferreted out by the side of a mill-pool4 ,the ferret was close on his traces1 and he jumped deliberately into the pool and swam across4 ,mr4 ,riley1 who1 like a good austringer1 loves fair play above all things1 thought it a shame to fly a wet rabbit1 and would not throw off his goshawk4 ,however1 when the rabbit was on dry land he went so well that ,mr4 ,riley let the hawk go4 ,the rabbit was caught2 and when he was taken from the hawk he was found to be quite dry6 ,but whether his wet skin had been dried up by terror or by the violence of his exertions1 or how else1 is a mystery still unsolved4 ,one day1 having had bad luck with partridges1 ,sir ,tristram1 owned and trained by the same gentleman1 was indulged with a pigeon4 ,the big pointer included in the party1 and which was a great ally of the goshawk1 was at the time roaming about4 ,as the hawk was pluming the pigeon on the ground1 the dog came romping along4 ,but when he had accidentally got within eight yards of ,sir ,tristram1 the latter left his meal1 and1 flying straight for the pointer1 gave him a good sound box on the ear1 which sent him flying1 the hawk then returning1 well satisfied1 to his food4 ,hawks have been known to kill quarry with a leash and swivel still attached to their jesses4 ,i have known a merlin with a long leash on follow a lark up in rings several hundred feet high1 but she could not get on terms with him4 ,what is1 however1 perhaps still more astonishing1 ,i have seen a merlin with a whole dead lark in her foot pursue and strike down one that was uninjured4 ,i was with a friend in a very open place4 ,each of us had a merlin to fly2 and we walked different ways4 ,my chance came first2 and the lark1 after a flight of moderate length1 was taken under some open railings surrounding a dry pond4 ,hardly was this flight over1 and the hawk beginning to plume her lark1 when my friend's hawk started after a lark from the opposite side of the pond4 ,this lark happened also to make for the same place--not that the railings were at all likely to save him1 but because he thought he could dodge round and round the posts and under the bars1 and so put off the fatal moment4 ,larks seem often to think that any shelter is better than none at all4 ,accordingly1 round and round the rails this second lark twisted and turned1 passing sometimes within a yard or two of the place where my hawk stood on her dead lark watching the fun4 ,the other hawk meanwhile made shot after shot1 but could not foot her quarry4 ,she--that was the name of my merlin--looked on more and more excitedly4 ,at last she could stand it no longer1 but getting up1 dead lark and all1 she mounted a bit and stooped4 ,as the lark was diving underneath a rail she hit it1 first shot1 with a resounding whack--not with her feet1 for they were both encumbered by the dead quarry1 but with the dead quarry itself6 ,the lark was1 of course1 not held1 but projected forwards and downwards about three feet to the ground2 and before he could get up again the other hawk was on him4 ,i was flying the same hawk in a very big stubble-field4 ,a lark got up--a ground lark1 but a fast one--and away they went1 zigzagging along the surface of the field4 ,they had gone a long way1 but not far enough to be out of sight1 when they both suddenly vanished4 ,running up1 ,i found a deep depression in the ground1 where years ago a big pit had been dug4 ,this accounted for the disappearance4 ,but what had happened after that8 ,if the lark had been taken1 where was he8 ,and where was his captor8 ,a small heap of dry sticks at the bottom of the hollow was searched in vain4 ,there seemed to be no other hiding-place4 ,at length a tiny hole was seen--the mouth of a rabbit-burrow4 ,and out of this1 in another half-minute1 emerged the little hawk4 ,the lark had gone in1 and she after it1 but after some groping about in the dark had failed to find the wily fugitive4 ,only a few days afterwards the sister of this hawk started after a first-rate ringing lark4 ,both of them went out of sight1 drifting at a great height towards a village a mile off4 ,we ran towards it at our best pace1 fearing some disaster2 but when half-way to it saw the hawk coming back to the lure4 ,well1 we were glad enough that she had not killed in any cottage garden1 and1 taking her back up-wind1 went on with the day's programme4 ,as it was getting dark we had to walk through the same village on the way home4 ,did you find your 'awk8 asked a cottager4 ,what hawk8 ,why1 one of your 'awks chased a lark into the passage o' th' public there1 and would a' caught 'im too1 only there was a cat in the passage up and grabbed the lark before the 'awk was on 'im2 and the 'awk looked as savage as thunder1 and 'ooked it out1 and went over there where you come from4 ,bee ,cottage stands desolate in a very big valley1 with hills sloping gradually down to it on almost all sides4 ,a ringing lark1 with a merlin close at his heels1 got within reach of this shelter from above the hillside to windward1 and shot down to it like a bullet1 with the hawk a few yards behind4 ,it was too far to see from the hillside where1 but he put in somewhere on the premises4 ,a diligent search1 however1 in hedge1 bush1 coal-shed1 and everywhere1 led to no result4 ,the door was shut and locked3 so were the windows4 ,no one seemed to have lived in the place for months4 ,more searching1 without any sign of lark or hawk4 ,yet they undoubtedly came down here1 and never came out again4 ,outside1 they could have been seen anywhere for half a mile4 ,at last ,i saw that there was a small pane of glass gone in one of the downstair windows4 ,through that opening ,i looked2 and there sat my lady1 with a fluffy heap round her feet4 ,so far1 so good4 ,but the room was full of bees1 some dead1 and some alive6 ,what was to be done8 ,colonel ,sanford owned1 hacked1 and trained a very first-rate merlin called ,orkney1 which killed no less than ten larks in a single day in single flights1 thus surpassing ,queen1 which took nine in single flights and one in double4 ,this ,orkney1 after a very long flight1 put a lark into a flock of sheep4 ,but she marked the exact spot1 underneath a sheep1 where the fugitive stopped1 and1 taking perch on a neighbouring wether1 kept her eye on the place4 ,the sheep moved on1 leaving the ground clear2 and ,orkney jumped as nearly as she could guess on the right spot4 ,she failed1 however1 to grab the lark1 which got up again and promptly took refuge under another sheep4 ,again the little hawk took stand on the next bleater1 marking still more carefully the hiding-place of the quarry4 ,again the animals walked on1 and this time perseverance was rewarded1 and the lark was carried in triumph from the woolly protectors which had so nearly saved him4 ,the same hawk once drove a lark into a small hole where she could see nothing of him but the tail4 ,after some reflection she put in her beak and grasped steadily the feathers of the tail4 ,then with an unhurried pull she drew him far enough out of the hole to be able to get at him with her foot4 ,the best hawk ,i ever had was the merlin ,eva4 ,she was never beaten in fair flight by any lark during the whole of the moulting season2 and she killed one 7fully moulted1 of course7 as late as #gth ,november4 ,one day she mounted an immense height after a ringing lark1 bested him1 and had had three shots1 when a wild merlin joined in4 ,after this the two hawks flew in concert just as if they had been trained in the same stable4 ,stoop for stoop1 in regular alternations1 they worked this plucky lark down by a few yards at each shift1 neither ,i nor ,james ,retford1 who was running with me1 being able to distinguish which was which4 ,at last1 when the lark had been driven down to within about #cjj feet of the ground1 there were two fine stoops in quick succession1 the second of which was fatal4 ,which is it8 ,i gasped1 inquiring of the experienced falconer4 ,the wild one1 ,i think1 he answered1 sinking down breathless on the down4 ,it was not1 though4 ,the wild hawk1 furious1 turned away1 and1 to vent her rage1 made a savage shot at the ears of a hare which happened at the moment to be running along the valley2 while ,eva1 descending slowly on the side of the down1 had just recovered her breath by the time ,i got up4 ,on a second occasion ,eva was almost equally high1 and still ringing to get above her lark1 when she suddenly spread her wings and swerved in her course4 ,at the same moment ,major ,fisher1 who was out on horseback1 shouted1 ,the wild merlin6 ,but this time ,eva was not going to join in any duet4 ,the wild hawk had come up on a much lower level than the trained one had attained1 possibly thinking that when ,eva had done the hard work of the early stoops she might cut in and reap the benefit4 ,at any rate1 ,eva was not to be so dealt with4 ,poising herself like a falcon when the grouse get up1 she turned over and came down with every ounce of force she could muster right at the interloper4 ,of course she did not hit her4 ,the two went off1 stooping at one another1 and were soon out of sight4 ,major ,fisher rode after them1 field-glass in hand1 predicting that the wild hawk would chase ,eva away4 ,but in less than two minutes he espied a merlin coming back2 and the trained hawk1 in one long slanting fall from out of sight1 descended daintily upon the lure held in her owner's fist4 ,queen was a first-rate merlin--sister of ,jubilee1 and also1 though younger by a year1 of ,tagrag4 ,she started at a ringing lark in a very open place1 and it was a case of hard running1 for there were no markers out4 ,before half a mile was covered they were over a sloping brow4 ,by a desperate spurt ,i reached the ridge1 when the hawk was in sight again4 ,the ground sloped downwards for half a mile more2 and in the valley1 far away1 was a sheep-fold1 with sheep1 shepherd1 and a dog4 ,for this fold the quarry was of course making4 ,anyhow1 there would be the shepherd to mark2 and a shout might reach even his rather inattentive ear4 ,it was too far to see the hawk as she stooped2 but when she threw up1 and when she turned over1 the sunlight caught the under-surface of her wing or tail1 and showed where she was2 and the last gleam came from painfully near the sheep4 ,the running was easier downhill2 and soon the shepherd was within hail4 ,where is the hawk8 ,reply inaudible up-wind4 ,thirty yards farther on the words could be heard1 ,gone back where you come from4 ,then1 of course1 she had lost the lark--rather luckily1 having regard to the dog--and had passed me unnoticed1 flying low4 ,well1 the hill must be mounted again and the lure kept going4 ,there1 too1 is surely a glimpse of ,queen herself1 just vanishing over the sky-line4 ,she will be gone back to the place where her sister is pegged down4 ,ten minutes' walking and running1 and this place is in sight4 ,but no sign of ,queen4 ,five minutes' more luring1 and at last a hawk comes in sight1--not making directly for the lure1 however1 but hanging about and keeping well away4 ,strange conduct in this merlin1 which rather liked the lure6 ,and now she begins waiting on1 and soaring1--a rare amusement with this very practical-minded hawk4 ,round and round1 farther and farther down-wind1 away we go1 ,queen hardly now even looking at the lure4 ,soon the hawk is too far to keep in sight without very fast running4 ,had ,i been fresh1 probably ,i should have run hard4 ,but ,i was far from fresh4 ,and the behaviour of ,queen was very queer4 ,suddenly a new idea evolved itself4 ,what if it was not ,queen at all1 but a wild merlin8 ,it might be well to search a bit1 anyhow1 where ,queen was last seen in her own undoubted personality4 ,searching1 therefore1 became the word--rather late in the day4 ,and on a patch of new-ploughed fallow1 barely distinguishable from the clods of brown earth1 there stood my lady1 with a litter of feathers round her1 calmly eating the remains of a lark1 and wondering what on earth ,i was about4 ,she had taken the lark with that very last stoop for which ,i had seen her turn over1 at the very edge of the sheep-fold1 and1 not liking the proximity of the dog1 had carried her booty well away1 taking the direction from which she had come1 as the dog was on the other side4 ,the wild hawk had been too late to join in the flight1 but had seen the kill1 and had come down perhaps with a vague idea of robbing ,queen4 ,thinking better of any such attempt--which would not have ended pleasantly--she had been inquisitive as to the lure1 and thinking the whole affair rather singular1 had soared about1 waiting to see what would happen next4 ,ruy ,lopez was a jack which rather fancied himself1 and had something in his style of flying of the tactics of a haggard peregrine4 ,that is1 he would start in a different direction from the quarry1 so that strangers would suppose he had no designs upon it1 and afterwards turn and make an immensely long stoop at it all across the air4 ,but on one occasion he had a very close personal experience of the stooping of peregrines4 ,he was lost2 and no one knew anything of his whereabouts4 ,it so happened that ,james and ,william ,retford1 ,major ,fisher's falconers1 were out with a pointer and a falcon named ,black ,lady4 ,the dog stood1 but in a queer and rather doubtful way2 and ,black ,lady was thrown off4 ,when she had got to her pitch the men ran in4 ,but instead of partridges1 there got up out of the swedes the unexpected shape of ,ruy ,lopez1 he having been quietly discussing there a lark which he had just killed4 ,down came the falcon1 better pleased1 as hawks are1 at such a chase than one at a mere partridge4 ,and the falconers describe the flight as beyond measure exciting4 ,they thought each stoop would be the last1 and declared that the small hawk saved himself several times by a hair's-breadth4 ,at length1 however1 he got in under a stook of wheat4 ,no doubt the falconers thought it was a near thing4 ,and possibly it was2 but as far as my own experience goes1 trained peregrines cannot get within a yard of a good trained merlin4 ,i have seen them try2 and the merlin has shifted with contemptuous ease4 ,major ,fisher1 however1 as already mentioned1 had a tiercel which made it very hot for a wild merlin1 and1 as he thinks1 very nearly caught it4 ,i have seen one of his eyess tiercels take a kestrel with apparent ease at the first stoop4 ,but that is certainly quite a different matter4 ,the already long list which has been given of mischances and maladies which beset trained hawks is even yet not complete4 ,in ,india the wild eagles are a serious nuisance1 coming down from the high altitudes at which they soar1 and obliging the hawks to shift for their own safety just when they are expected and expecting to give a good account of their own quarry4 ,in ,england1 hawks which are pegged out in any but a quiet private place are exposed to the attack of any chance dog4 ,i do not know that cats will deliberately attack even the smallest jack1 either by day or by night4 ,but a tame cat which had gone mad once made an onslaught on the trained peregrines belonging to the ,o4 ,h4 ,c41 and with such ferocity that quite a large number of them died of their wounds4 ,mr4 ,a4 ,w4 ,reed1 an experienced and enthusiastic amateur falconer1 had some very valuable hawks1 including a ger and some ,eastern varieties1 pegged out on a lawn in ,essex4 ,a neighbouring householder1 being troubled by sparrows1 laid down poisoned grain4 ,the sparrows took the grain1 and1 dying as they flew over the place where the hawks were1 fell down on the ground near the blocks4 ,of course the hawks ate them2 and1 equally of course1 the hawks were poisoned4 ,and1 advice being taken1 it was considered useless to take proceedings against the offender4 ,cases of deliberate hawk-murder are now punishable by law4 ,all falconers are highly indebted to ,mr4 ,e4 ,c4 ,pinckney for having demonstrated this fact conclusively in a local tribunal4 ,he extracted #aj in damages from a neighbour who had shot at and killed his game-hawk1 although the latter set up the usual defence1 pretending that he was unaware that the hawk was a tame one4 ,the judge held that1 as he was aware that his neighbour kept trained hawks1 if he shot at one1 he did so at his own peril1 just as a man would who shot at a house-pigeon or escaped parrot4 ,more lately still1 ,mr4 ,a4 ,w4 ,reed has been awarded #e at the ,kingston ,county ,court as damages from a neighbour who had wilfully shot his trained peregrine4 ,the precedents1 as far as they go1 are most valuable4 ,unfortunately they do not1 of course1 go very far4 ,but a falconer will be well advised1 having regard to them1 to send notices in registered letters1 when going into any district1 to all such people as are likely to prove mischievous4 ,,index ,acari or mites1 #bcc1 #bda ,accidents1 #bbe-bcc ,accipiter badius1 #ce nisus1 #cd ,african falconers1 #afg lanner1 #be merlin1 #bh ,ague1 #bch ,air1 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sparrow-hawk1 #ce ,bewit1 #db ,biddulph1 ,capt4 ,s41 #g ,binding1 #ai1 #cj1 #abg ,birding1 #afb1 #aff ,birds used in hawking1 #i-cb ,bittern1 #ah ,blackbird1 #afb-afe1 #afh ,black-game1 #aaf1 #abe1 #abi ,black ,lady1 eyess falcon1 #bhc ,black-legged falconet1 #ci ,black shaheen1 #bj ,blain1 #bdb ,blanche1 eyess sparrow-hawk1 #afh ,blocking1 #bj ,blocks1 #dg1 #fe ,blome1 #aca ,blue hawks1 #ai ,bone1 fracture of1 #bcb ,bonelli's eagle1 #cf-ch ,bonham1 ,colonel1 #e ,bots1 falconer1 #e1 #add n4 ,bow-net1 #fi1 #gc -perch1 #dg1 #dh ,bowse1 #ai ,box-cadge1 #eb ,boynton1 ,sir ,h41 #g1 #aei ,brace of hood1 #di ,brail1 #di1 #fj1 #fa1 #bed ,brancher1 #ah1 #ee ,brodrick1 ,mr4 ,w41 #f1 #aja ,brook1 hawking at the1 #add ,brooksbank1 ,colonel1 #g1 #abi1 #adf ,brown1 ,sir ,t41 #adh ,bruise1 #bcc1 #bdc ,buccaneer1 peregrine tiercel1 #adf ,bustard1 #cg ,button of leash1 #dd ,cadge1 cadger1 #ea1 #aib ,calling off1 #ij1 #agg ,carelessness1 #bac ,carrying1 #hc1 #aea1 #bec or lifting1 #cb1 #ie1 #acb1 #bfa ,cassian1 of ,rhodes1 #bcc ,cast1 #bj1 #ade1 #bgc ,casting a hawk1 #bj1 #db1 #bbg ,castings1 #df1 #gg1 #aeb1 #ahi1 #bce ,cat1 #bhc ,catarrh1 #bdj ,catherine ,,ii4 of ,russia1 #c1 #acb ,champagne ,club1 #e ,check1 #cb1 #bfg ,chilian falcon1 #bb ,china1 #b1 #ade ,chinese falconers1 #b1 #g1 #ade ,churchmen as falconers1 #c ,claws1 #bj1 #bdb ,clean moulted1 #bej ,clubs for hawking1 #d1 #e1 #add ,colour of hawks1 #beh jesses1 #eh1 #ff ,comet1 eyess falcon1 #aja ,condition1 #gg1 #ia1 #acb1 #acf1 #adb1 #baj1 #bce1 #beb ,coping1 #fd1 #aeb1 #agc ,corns1 #bcc1 #bdb ,costume1 #hd1 #bbe ,country for hawking1 #h1 #ca1 #aja ,courage1 #bgb1 #bgd ,coursing1 #ajh ,crabbe1 ,captain1 #g ,crabbing1 #ic1 #bgc ,cramp1 #bch ,crane1 #ah1 #cd ,craye1 #bdb ,creance1 #hi1 #aec1 #bjj ,cries of falconers1 #aaj1 #abb1 #abf1 #abg ,croaks1 #ad1 #bcg ,crow1 #ah ,crutch for eagles1 #cf1 #dh ,cubebes1 #bda ,curlew1 #adg ,cutting down1 #abh ,damp1 #agb1 #bch ,d',arcussia1 ,charles1 #c1 #h1 #af1 #be1 #ce1 #ci1 #abh1 #bge ,daring1 #bg1 #acj ,death cry1 #aaj1 #abg ,deck feathers1 #ai ,decline of falconry1 #c1 #d ,decoy hawk1 #gb1 #bah ,deplume1 #ai1 #acd1 #bjb ,desert falcons1 #bc1 #be ,destiny1 passage tiercel1 #adc ,dhuleep ,singh1 ,h4,h4 the ,maharajah1 #g1 #ac1 #beg ,diamond1 eyess jack merlin1 #bjh1 #bji ,diary1 #eh1 #fe1 #aia1 #bji ,diet1 #bd1 #eh1 #aeb1 #afj1 #ahj1 #bjc1 #bdc ,difficulties of hawking1 #d1 #h1 #acb ,disclosing1 #ah ,disposition of hawks1 #ee1 #fg1 #aga1 #bef1 #bfa ,distance covered in flights1 #aac1 #ach1 #adh ,docility of hawks1 #hd ,dogs1 #hd1 #he1 #aba1 #abe1 #afc1 #afg1 #bha1 #bhc ,double flights1 #aac1 #adj1 #adc1 #add1 #ade ,down-wind flights1 #ajg1 #acf ,drawn1 #aia1 #bea ,drooping wing1 #bcb ,duck1 #bdh -hawk1 #de -hawking1 #add ,dugmore1 ,captain1 #ad ,eagles1 #aj1 #ce-ci1 #ahb1 #ahf ,eleonora falcon1 #be ,endue1 #ai ,enid1 eyess goshawk1 #aeh ,enseam1 #bj ,entering1 #ib-id ,eva1 eyess merlin1 #acg1 #ada1 #bjf1 #baa1 #bhj1 #bha ,exercise1 #ii1 #acb1 #aha ,eyess1 #ah1 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,furniture1 #dj-di1 #agc ,gaiety ,gal1 trained goshawk1 #aei ,game-hawking1 #aae-abi1 #aid ,gamekeepers1 #gd ,garlic1 #ha ,gentle1 falcon and tiercel1 #ai ,ger1 falcon and tiercel1 #ab-af1 #aae1 #bgg ,geraint1 eyess goshawk1 #aeh ,gervais1 ,m4 ,paul1 #g1 #cg ,gibbs1 ,peter1 falconer1 #afb ,gloves for hawking1 #ec ,golden eagle1 #cg1 #bee plover1 #adg ,good and bad hawks1 #beg ,gorge1 #aeb1 #ahb of hawk1 #ai ,goshawk1 #cc1 #aae1 #aej-aei1 #aih ,greek writers1 #a1 #b1 #g ,green mutes1 #bce plover1 #adf ,greenland falcon and tiercel1 #ab ,ground lark1 #acg ,grouse1 #cd1 #aaf1 #abi ,gulliver1 eyess tiercel1 #adc ,gulls1 #f1 #id1 #adb ,hack1 #fa-fi bells1 #db1 #ff1 #agg board1 #fb1 #ff hawks1 #fa-fi ,haggard1 #ai1 #gj-hf1 #aeh ,halchband1 #afg ,haller1 ,m4 ,constantine1 #g1 #ce ,hand of hawk1 #ai ,hard stoops1 #ae1 #abh ,hare-hawking1 #ab1 #bc1 #cc1 #abi1 #adh1 #aec-aeg ,harold1 ,king1 #b ,harting1 ,mr4 ,j4 ,e41 #a1 #e1 #bge ,hawk and falcon1 #i catching1 #ga ,hawk-houses1 #ec1 #agb -van1 #eb1 #aje ,hawking clubs1 #d1 #add n gloves1 #ec ,head of hawk1 #beh ,hedge1 #aba1 #afc ,henry the ,fowler1 #b ,,vi41 #c ,,viii41 #c ,heron-hawking1 #e1 #ah1 #bc1 #cc1 #ada1 #adc1 #aef ,herring-gull1 #adb ,hey1 gar1 gar6 #abb ,hobby1 #bf1 #acj1 #aha ,hoo1 ha1 ha6 #abb ,hood1 #dh1 #di1 #agc -shy1 #hj1 #bfi ,hooding1 #dh1 #gh1 #ha1 #aib1 #bbf1 #bgc ,house-pigeons1 #fe1 #gb1 #aah1 #bge ,howit6 falconer's cry1 #abe ,hume1 ,mr41 #ch ,hunger-traces1 #ef ,huts of hawk-catchers1 #ga ,iceland falcon and tiercel1 #ac ,imperial eagle1 #ch ,imping1 #cj1 #aia1 #bbg needle1 #bbh ,indian bells1 #db falconers1 #ajc1 #bcf hoods1 #di merlin1 #bh ,inflammation of the crop1 #bdj ,intermewed hawks1 #ai ,isolt1 eyess female goshawk1 #aeh ,italian falconers1 #g writers1 #g1 #afg ,jack or male merlin1 #bh ,jackdaw1 #adg ,james ,i4 of ,england1 #c ,,iv4 of ,scotland1 #c ,japanese falconers1 #g1 #ci ,javanese falcon1 #bb ,jay1 #cc ,jess1 #da ,join1 #ai ,jowk1 #ai ,jubilee1 eyess jack1 #fa1 #fe1 #fh1 #adj1 #aii1 #baa ,jumping to the fist1 #hh ,kecks1 or croaks1 #bcg ,kestrel1 #b1 #ah1 #bi1 #cj1 #fh1 #gh1 #adh1 #bgd1 #bhc ,kholsan1 #cg ,killing trained hawks1 #d1 #h1 #bhc1 #bhd ,kismet1 eyess tiercel1 #adc ,kite-hawking1 #ae1 #bc1 #ajc1 #add ,labrador falcon1 #ad ,lady ,mabel1 eyess sparrow-hawk1 #afh ,lady ,macbeth1 eyess sparrow-hawk1 #afd ,landrail1 #adg1 #aef1 #afg ,lanner1 lanneret1 #bc1 #aae1 #aih ,lantiner1 #ah ,lapwing1 #adf1 #bag ,lark-hawking1 #acj-ada1 #bja ,larks1 #acg ,lascelles1 ,hon4 ,g41 #f1 #h ,latham1 ,s41 #h1 #ba1 #aca ,law about hawking1 #d1 #bhd ,laziness1 #hf1 #baa1 #bfi ,learning to train hawks1 #cj ,leash1 #dd1 #bgh ,leo ,x41 ,pope1 #c ,lesser falcon1 #bb ,lice1 #bda ,lifting1 #cb1 #ie1 #acb1 #bfa ,lilford1 ,lord1 #f1 #ac1 #gd1 #acj ,live lure1 #bjd ,long-winged hawks1 #ai-cj ,loo ,club1 #e1 #add ,lost hawks1 #acf1 #bja1 #bac-bbd1 #bca ,louis ,,xi4 of ,france1 #c ,,xiii41 #ci1 #aca ,lugger1 #be ,lure1 #cg1 #ea1 #fc1 #hh1 #aag1 #bfe1 #bha hawks of the1 #aej ,made hawk1 #ic1 #abe ,magpie1 #ade1 #aig ,maichin1 ,m41 #cg ,mailed1 #bj ,mails1 #ai ,make-hawk1 #ic1 #aac1 #adb1 #bgc ,making in1 #ie1 #if1 #ajb1 #aie ,maladies1 #bce-bdc ,mann1 ,mr4 ,t41 #g ,manning1 #fa1 #hj1 #aea ,mantle1 #ai ,marhawk1 #ha ,markers1 #age1 #aib1 #aid ,marshalling the field1 #aic ,may1 eyess merlin1 #bjf1 #bjg ,meal-times1 #fb1 #fd ,medicine1 #bcd1 #beb1 #bfi ,megrim1 #bda ,merlin1 #bg1 #hj1 #aae1 #acj-ada1 #adh1 #aha1 #bjf-bab1 #bag1 #bbf ,meteor1 passage tiercel1 #adf ,mews1 #ec1 #agb ,mice1 #ahb ,michelin1 #bdi ,migration of hawks1 #gj1 #ga1 #agi ,mites1 #ia1 #bcc1 #bda ,mllen1 ,adrian1 and ,sons1 #e1 #af1 #db1 #dh1 #gi1 #add1 #bgf ,moult1 #aci1 #adj1 #bdd-bed ,moulting larks1 #acg1 #aci1 #aii ,mountee1 #id ,mounting1 #abj1 #abh larks1 #ach ,mummy1 #bdc ,musket1 or male sparrow-hawk1 #c1 #afj-afi ,mutes1 #bj1 #bcd1 #bce1 #bda ,nares1 #ai1 #bcc1 #beh ,naturalists1 #ci ,newall1 ,mr4 ,a41 #g1 #acj1 #aee1 #aei ,newcome1 ,mr4 ,e4 ,c41 #e1 #ac1 #af1 #aja1 #aca1 #add ,norfolk plover1 #adg ,norway falcon and tiercel1 #ac ,norwegian goshawks1 #cc ,notes of flights1 #bjf ,notice that trained hawks are kept1 #bhd ,o',keefe1 ,mr41 #aja ,o',neill1 ,lord1 #e ,old ,hawking ,club1 the1 #e1 #af1 #eb1 #aje1 #aaf1 #adc ,oriental falconers1 #b ,origin of hawking1 #a ,orkney1 eyess merlin1 #bhj ,ostringer1 or austringer1 #cb ,over-hawked falconers1 #agj ,owl1 #bc1 #add ,oxer1 ,george1 falconer1 #f1 #aei ,packing hawks1 #ef ,padding of blocks and perches1 #de1 #dg ,palsy1 #bda ,pannel1 #ai ,pantas1 #bda ,parachute1 eyess falcon1 #aaf1 #abi1 #adi ,parasites1 #bda ,partridge1 #aae1 #abe1 #abi1 #aec1 #aef1 #aeh1 #afa1 #afb1 #afe ,passage hawks1 #ah1 #gj-hf1 #ig1 #abc ,peewit1 #adf1 #bag ,pegging out1 #he ,pells1 ,john1 falconer1 #e ,pelt1 #ai1 #ajb1 #aii1 #bfc ,perch1 #de1 #bdb ,perching1 #bfh ,peregrine1 #af-bj ,petty singles1 #ai ,pheasant1 #aae1 #adh1 #aec1 #aef1 #aeh ,physicking1 #bd1 #ia1 #aec1 #afa1 #bcf-bdc ,pichot1 ,m4 ,p4 ,a41 #g ,picking up quarry1 #acj1 #afa1 #aig ,pigeons1 #eh1 #fe1 #gb1 #id1 #ada1 #aed1 #bjd1 #bag1 #bge1 #bhd ,pills1 #beb ,pin1 #bdb ,pinckney1 ,mr4 ,e4 ,c41 #adg1 #bhd ,pitch1 #abj ,plovers1 #adf1 #adg ,plugging1 #bcj ,point1 making a1 #bj1 #abe ,pointers1 #aba1 #abe ,poisoning1 #bhc ,pole-cadge1 #eb -hawk1 #gb -pigeon1 #gc ,poultry1 #aeg ,pounces1 #ca ,price of hawks1 #be1 #ga1 #add1 #aee ,pride of falcons1 #bef ,princess1 eyess merlin1 #id wild-caught sparrow-hawk1 #afi ,principals1 #ai ,prynne1 #bdc ,punic falcon1 #bb ,purge for hawks1 #aec1 #beb1 #bec ,put in1 #bj1 #acf1 #aig ,put over1 #ai ,quail1 #adg1 #aef1 #afg ,quarry1 #ab -book1 #bjf1 #bge ,queen1 eyess merlin1 #baa1 #bha ,rabbit1 #cc1 #eh1 #aec1 #aeh1 #aha1 #bgg ,radcliffe1 ,colonel ,delm1 #h1 #bj ,rain1 #agh1 #bed ,rake away1 #cb1 #ig1 #aai1 #bff ,ramage hawk1 #ah ,rangle1 #aij ,rats1 #aef1 #aeg1 #bci ,ravine deer1 #cd ,recapture1 #bbj ,reclamation1 #gf-if1 #aea ,record of flights1 #bjf-baa ,red falcon and tiercel1 #ah1 #ga hawks1 #ah1 #ga -legged falconet1 #ci -naped shaheen1 #ba ,red ,queen1 trained goshawk1 #aei ,reed1 ,mr4 ,a4 ,w41 #g1 #bhc1 #bhd ,refusing1 #acf1 #afb1 #bga ,renfrewshire ,subscription ,hawking ,club1 #adh ,retford1 ,james and ,william1 falconers1 #f1 #bhj1 #bhb ,retrievers1 #abe1 #abg1 #aef ,revival of falconry1 #h ,rewards1 #aec1 #aic1 #bbb ,ricks1 #bfc ,riding to hawks1 #ajg1 #aac1 #aie ,riley1 ,mr4 ,john1 #f1 #aeg1 #afa1 #afh1 #bgg ,ring swivel1 #dc1 #de ,ringing flights1 #ajg1 #acc1 #acg1 #aci1 #bjh ,robin1 or male hobby1 #ahc ,rook-hawking1 #aja-aad1 #aie ,rooks1 #id1 #aai1 #bag ,rouse1 #ai ,royal falconers1 #b1 #c1 #ada ,ruby1 eyess sparrow-hawk1 #afc1 #afh eyess jack1 #bji ,rufter-hood1 #di1 #eg ,running cunning1 #bbc1 #bgb ,russian falconers1 #g1 #cg ,ruy ,lopez1 eyess jack1 #acf1 #bhb ,rye1 #bdb ,sails1 #ai ,st4 ,quintin1 ,mr4 ,w4 ,h41 #f1 #abi1 #adb1 #adf1 #adh ,saker1 #bb1 #ajc1 #add1 #ahc1 #ahf1 #bcf ,sal ammoniac1 #bcd ,salvin1 ,captain1 #f1 #dh ,sanford1 ,colonel ,e4 ,c4 ,a41 #g1 #acj1 #adj1 #adh1 #bhj ,schlegel and ,wulverhorst1 #h1 #bge ,science of flying1 #ajg1 #abc ,scores1 #abi1 #adj1 #adc1 #adh1 #aeh1 #aei ,score-sheet1 #bjf-baa ,scotch hares1 #abi ,screaming1 #bgj ,screen perch1 #de1 #bcc ,sea-fowl1 #ae1 #adg ,sebright1 ,sir ,john1 #fj1 #hb1 #aea ,seeling1 #bj1 #gh1 #hj1 #aai ,serving a hawk1 #bj1 #ib1 #acf ,shaheen1 #bj1 #ba1 #aae1 #adg1 #adh ,shakespeare1 #c1 #afb ,shape of hawks1 #beg ,she1 eyess merlin1 #ff1 #bgh ,shifting1 #ajh ,shooting trained hawks1 #bhd ,short-winged hawks1 #aj1 #cj1 #ij1 #aej-afi ,shrike1 #ba1 #ga1 #gc ,signals for markers1 #aib ,sinclair1 ,mr4 ,john1 #e1 #adh ,sir ,tristram1 eyess goshawk1 #aeh1 #bgh ,sis1 eyess merlin1 #adj ,size and shape of hawks1 #ae1 #bb1 #beg-bei ,slice1 #bj1 #df ,slight falcon and tiercel1 #ai1 #gj ,small birds1 #bi1 #ahg ,snares for hawks1 #bba ,snipe1 #bh1 #adh ,snurt1 #bdb ,soar1 or sore hawk1 #ah ,soaring1 #if1 #agi1 #bfe ,sock1 #gd ,soft lure1 #ih ,sourbets1 ,m41 #g ,south ,african lanner1 #be ,spaniels1 #aef ,spare lures1 #aac1 #bad ,sparrow1 #bi1 #ahf1 #bci1 #bhc -hawk1 #cd1 #aae1 #afj-afi ,spectators1 #agb1 #aie1 #aig ,speed of hawks1 #ag1 #fg1 #bgd ,spotted eagle1 #ch ,spring-swivel1 #dc ,squirrel1 #aef ,starlight1 peregrine tiercel1 #adc ,starling1 #afb1 #afg1 #bag ,steppe eagle1 #ch ,stern-chase1 #abj ,stoat1 #aef1 #aeh ,stone curlew1 #adg ,stonehenge1 #aif ,stoop1 #ab1 #fe1 #aji1 #abb1 #ach ,stooping to the lure1 #ih ,string1 #bjj1 #bfc ,stuffing young hawks1 #eh ,style1 #aad1 #aeh1 #ahd ,suffusion of the eye1 #bdj ,sugar1 sugar-candy1 #hb1 #bci1 #bdj1 #bdc ,sulkiness1 #fg1 #bfa ,summed1 #ah ,swallow1 #fe1 #aca ,swivel1 #dc ,symonds1 ,mr4 ,george1 #acj ,tagrag1 eyess jack1 #baf1 #bai1 #bca ,tail of hawk1 #cb1 #bcb tying up of1 #aea ,tail-to-tail1 #bga ,taking up1 #fi ,talon1 #ai1 #bdb ,tame hawks1 #ia ,tartaret1 #bb ,temper1 #cf1 #eb1 #fh1 #ada1 #afj1 #bee ,temperament1 #fg1 #acb1 #bef1 #bfa ,thin hawks1 #gg1 #ia1 #ahe ,thompson1 ,major ,c4 ,w41 #g ,thornton1 ,colonel1 #d1 #adh ,throwing off1 #ajd1 #ajf up1 #aji ,thrush1 #afd1 #afg ,ticks1 #bda ,tiercel1 tassel1 or tiercelet1 #ah ,time of feeding and flying hawks1 #fd1 #hi1 #agi ,tips1 #aic1 #bbb ,tirings1 #ec1 #fa1 #ha1 #aeb1 #ahb1 #ahg1 #bbg ,tit-bits1 #ei1 #ahb1 #bfb ,tobacco wash1 #bda ,tostin1 haggard male goshawk1 #aeh ,train1 #ai ,training1 #hj-ajj ,traps1 #ajb1 #aii ,travelling1 #ef ,tree hawks1 #bfc ,trees1 #bah1 #bfd ,tristram1 ,canon1 #ci ,trussing1 #cj ,tunisian lanner1 #be ,turbervile1 #g1 #hj1 #bcc1 #bci ,tying up tail1 #aea1 #bbf ,umbrella1 #agh ,undulating country1 #ca ,unhooding1 #di1 #gg1 #aje1 #bgc ,unpopularity of hawking1 #c ,unseeling1 #bj ,unsummed1 #ah ,up-wind and down-wind1 #aai1 #acf1 #aid ,valkenswaard1 #db1 #ga ,value of hawks4 ,see ,price ,van1 #eb ,varvels1 #da ,vesta1 eyess falcon1 #aaf1 #abi1 #agf1 #bfi ,vice1 #bee-bgd ,virtues of hawks1 #bee-bei1 #bgd ,voice1 #hb1 #hc1 #ajf1 #abb ,waiting on1 #ae1 #ib1 #if1 #aag1 #ade1 #aig ,waking1 #hj1 #aea ,walking up quarry1 #aba1 #abf1 #aid ,warble1 #bj ,washed meat1 #ih1 #ahe1 #bec ,water1 #bgg -hen1 #aed1 #aef1 #afb -rail1 #aef ,watson1 ,colonel1 #g ,weasel1 #cc1 #aef ,weather1 #agh1 #bdh ,weathering1 #hf ,whistle1 #hb ,white-crowned eagle1 #ch -legged falconet1 #ci ,who-whoop1 #aaj ,why-loe1 falconer's cry1 #aai ,wild-caught hawks1 #gj1 #hg -duck1 #ah1 #ba1 #abi1 #add1 #aef -fowl1 #ah1 #ch1 #aef ,wild-goose1 #ae1 #ah1 #adg1 #aef hawks1 #fh1 #ga1 #ada1 #ahf1 #bai1 #bce1 #bcf1 #bgj1 #bhc ,willemot1 ,rev4 ,w41 #g ,will o' the ,wisp1 passage tiercel1 #aja ,wind1 #ajj1 #ajg1 #acf1 #adb1 #age1 #agh1 #aib ,winding up1 #bbj ,wing1 breakage of1 #bcb feathers1 #aa of hawks and eagles1 #aa1 #beh1 #bei ,wing1 weakness of1 #bcb ,winter larks1 #adj ,wood-pigeon1 #ah1 #cc1 #aeh1 #afg ,woodcock1 #e1 #adh ,worms1 #bda ,worth of live and dead hawks1 #cj1 #ga1 #add1 #aee ,wren1 #afb ,writers on hawking1 #a1 #g ,yarak1 #ca1 #aec1 #afb ,,printed ,,by ,,morrison ,,and ,,gibb ,,limited ,,edinburgh 99 99 99 99 99 ,transcriber ,notes ,illustrations moved so as to not split paragraphs4