22 BRITISH BIRDS. 



The goshawk and tassel-hawk were often sold for one 

 hundred marks in the days of James i ; and Sir Thomas 

 Monson is reported to have given, in the same reign, 

 no less than one thousand pounds for a pair of hawks. 



To this expense was added that of a numerous " me- 

 nye," under the direction of the chief falconer, to attend 

 to the different departments of the mews : for these 

 birds had to be supplied with fresh water several times 

 every day ; to be taken out, too, and flown ; and to be 

 fed continually. Nor was this all, for to break in a 

 hawk it must be kept waking the whole night ; and thus 

 the falconer, in addition to his usual labour, had not 

 unfrequently to keep watch until dawn, with the refrac- 

 tory bird on his hand. 



Gaily bedecked, indeed, were these beautiful birds 

 when transferred from their perch to the glove, whether 

 to fly at the game, or merely to be borne on solemn or 

 festive occasions, as appendages of high rank. There 

 was the collar, often of fine enamelled work, or the most 

 delicate gold filigree ; the hood, of silk knitting, some- 

 times exquisitely embroidered ; the bells suspended from 

 the leathern rings round each leg, which were called 

 bewits, most frequently of neatly wrought silver. The 

 glove, too, on which the bird sate, was of richly embroi- 

 dered white leather, sometimes even adorned with jewels 



