256 ART AND PRACTICE OF HAWKING 



determined must the falconer show himself to keep his temper 

 and exhibit a philosophic calm in his demeanour. The petu- 

 lance and restiveness which some hawks display vanish to an 

 extraordinary extent if such ebullitions of temper are quietly 

 ignored, and the offender, apparently wishing to make herself 

 designedly disagreeable, finds herself treated as if she had played 

 quite an amiable part. But the least sign of impatience or anger 

 on the part of the falconer is noted by an ill-conditioned hawk, 

 which thereupon seems to take a real delight in further aggra- 

 vating her imprudent or hasty master. 



There is a whole world of difference between the breaking 

 of dogs and the breaking of hawks. The former know when 

 they deserve punishment, and actually expect it. They respect 

 a man for chastising them when they have done wrong, and 

 rather despise him if he ignores the fault. A hawk, on the 

 other hand, must never be punished, at least openly. To strike 

 a hawk, or rate her, is to forfeit at once her respect, and what 

 may be called her affection. A dog is a slave by immemorial 

 habit. He knows intuitively that he is dependent upon man 

 as a master. But the hawk, if she is worth her salt, knows 

 nothing of the kind. Turn her loose, and instead of starving or 

 begging, like the lost dog, she will well shift for herself. She 

 looks upon man as an ally rather than a master. She likes to 

 be treated as a friend and equal, rather than as a dependant 

 and a servant. Falcons, especially, — that is, the females of the 

 long-winged hawks, — are excessively proud, and even haughty ; 

 and are mortally offended if any indignity is offered them. 

 But no matter what the hawk may be, the true policy is con- 

 stant kindliness, or at least the outward semblance of it — a policy 

 of rewards and not of punishments. Endeavour always to impress 

 upon her the idea that you are her very best friend ; that her 

 chief enjoyments in life are due to your foresight and assist- 

 ance ; that her food, her bath, the block on which she stands at 

 ease, the well-padded, sheltered perch, and, last but not least, 

 the opportunities for good and successful flights, are provided 

 by you. Then will she, in the language of the mediaeval fal- 

 coners, rejoice at the sight of you, and like no place so well as 

 the fist. Then will she fly the better when your voice cheers her 

 on, and begin her meal more comfortably when you are standing 

 or sitting by. It is well to treat the ill-tempered hawk some- 

 what as Mrs. Gummidge was treated, by making allowances. 

 Possibly she may some day surprise you by the display of 

 unsuspected virtues. 



