4G2 RECLAIMING HAWKS 



when the hawk must be hooded for some time. 

 Hawks are apt to soar in hot weather. 



The buckskin glove which is used for hawking is 

 made to go half-way up to the elbow. It is only used 

 on the left arm. It is in shape like a Heavy Dragoon 

 buckskin gauntlet. For goshawks it requires to be 

 made double over the forefinger and thumb. 



A small tin box, in which to carry meat, and made 

 so as to fit in the pocket, is also useful. 



Hawks ought to be taken out on the hand a great 

 deal until they are quite drilled. Wild-caught birds 

 will struggle terribly after being caught, but the hood, 

 hunger, and want of sleep soon tames them. When 

 being carried, stroking them quietly with a soft feather 

 about the breast and thighs seems to have a soothino;- 

 effect on them. Wild hawks require to be drilled 

 from morning until night. They must be made 

 hungry and then brought out and flown at the lure, 

 in a string, and by this means the wildest hawks can 

 be tamed in the course of a few days. 



I first learned falconry and all connected with it 

 from the Circassians and Syrians, perhaps the best 

 falconers in the world ; but my time has been so much 

 taken up in the pursuit of other sports, that I must 

 refer my readers for more minute instructions than I 

 can offer to the work on falconry entitled ' Falconry in 

 the British Isles,' by Messrs, Salvin and Brodrick, 

 which is the best work of the kind. 



Different Kinds of Hawks. 



The falcons or long-winged hawks are distinguished 

 from the true or short-winged hawks by the three 

 following and never-failing characteristics, viz.: 



