122 THE IMPORTANCE OF BIRD LIFE 



further fear of handling by the keeper. The fal- 

 coner then teaches it to leave its perch for his 

 gauntleted fist, using food as an inducement. 

 When the hawk grows so accustomed to his pres- 

 ence that it will come eagerly to his fist in search 

 of food whenever he approaches sufficiently near 

 its perch, the bird is ready for further training. 



The falconer is now satisfied that his subject can 

 safely be introduced to the lure. This, as a rule, 

 consists of a padded weight to which are secured 

 the wings of some large bird, like a pigeon or duck. 

 It is provided with short strings by which pieces 

 of meat attractive to the hawk can be tied to it. 

 A long string enables the falconer to drag the 

 lure or to whirl it around his head in much the 

 same fashion that Tom Sawyer whirled his 

 famous rat. 



Having baited the lure, the trainer takes the 

 hooded bird upon his fist. The hood is then re- 

 moved and the lure tossed to the ground two or 

 three feet away. The hawk, espying the meat and 

 feathers, jumps for them and immediately begins 

 eating. When about half the meat is consumed, 

 the falconer entices her back to his fist with his 

 voice and an especially acceptable titbit of flesh. 

 The practice is continued daily until the hawk is 

 thoroughly inured to the lure and fails to take 

 alarm or offense at the actions of its master. 



The next step is the employment of a 

 "creance," a light string fastened to the leg of 



