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CHAPTER VIII 



RABBIT-HAWKING WITH THE GOSHAWK 



In foregoing chapters some account has been given 

 of the various ways of taking rabbits by netting, 

 snaring, ferreting, and shooting, each of which will 

 commend itself differently to different readers accord- 

 ing to their respective tastes. There remains yet 

 another phase of sport to be described ; and although 

 in reality a very ancient one, it will probably appear 

 to most people both novel and attractive. We refer 

 to the art of taking rabbits with a trained goshawk. 

 We find both rabbit and goshawk (as well as ferret) 

 mentioned in the Book of St. Albans, i486, and 

 learn from that very curious compilation the technical 

 terms which were expected to be known by ' gentyl- 

 men and honeste persones in comunynge of theyr 

 hawkes,' and other animals. For instance, when 

 referring to old rabbits it was customary to speak of a 



