454 REARING YOUNG HAWKS 



to the birds, even the breaking of a feather, renders 

 them useless for flight for a considerable time. 



The birds should always be well fed before starting 

 on a journey, and should always travel at night, and by 

 the fastest available train, as delay on the journey, or 

 starvation, is apt to cause permanent injury. 



Where but little space is available young hawks may 

 be reared in a large hamper, the latter tied in a tree, 

 the lid being so supported by cords as to make a plat- 

 form for the young birds to come out and be fed on. 

 In order to protect them from wind and rain the 

 hamper should be covered with waterproofing, the lid 

 serving as a ledge of rock. Of course, where there is 

 a large barn or dry outbuilding which can be utilized, 

 it is better to let the young birds have the run of it, and 

 by leaving the doors open, they should be trained to 

 come out to be fed at whistle or call. 



They require to be very carefully and regularly fed 

 twice daily. If this rule is not adhered to a disease 

 known as ' hunger traces ' will make its appearance. It 

 may be recognised by the colour, or rather the defective 

 colouring, which manifests itself in a line visible across 

 the tail and wing feathers, when the latter are opened 

 out, and a slight ridge may be felt where the mark 

 exists on each feather. The feathers are very apt to 

 break off at this mark. However, good and regular 

 feeding will obviate the chances of such disease. 



When they are fully grown the young birds may be 

 allowed to fly at large. This is termed 'hacking.' 

 The younger they are the greater care should be 

 exercised in feeding them on tender food. When they 

 are matured, raw lean beef may be given them, but up 

 to that period, before which they are unable to digest 



