466 I^OOD 



merlin being the most affectionate of all the hawks of 

 which I have had experience. 



Fresh beef must be given carefully to hawks which 

 are not in work, and when they are in too high con- 

 dition their food must be reduced a little and gradually. 

 Rabbits, wood-pigeons, small birds, mice, and rats are 

 good food. The skin of a crow or a pigeon, turned 

 inside out and dipped in blood, makes excellent 

 * casting.' 



Goshawks are not as particular as other hawks, and 

 will eat rats, mice, squirrels, etc., with evident relish. 

 Lanners love mice. 



Half-frozen meat is very bad food for hawks. They 

 must not be fed too fast on cut meat ; it is better to 

 tear it for them with the hands, putting it into their 

 mouths. 



By giving shot birds to the delicate merlin inflam- 

 mation may be produced. Fresh oxtail is very good 

 food for hawks which are on the block, out of work, 

 letting them jump from the block to the hand for it. 



In my estimation a woodcock gives the best of all 

 sport ; but it is dangerous work, for the woodcock can 

 fly and dodge the falcon as well, if not better, than any 

 quarry. 



In Messrs. Salvin and Brodrick's work there is a 

 curious account of Mr. Sinclair's falcon, flown from 

 Rossmore Park in Monaghan County, in Ireland, to 

 Aberdeen, where an ignorant farmer shot this cele- 

 brated falcon, with the owner's name on its ' varvels.' 



Merlins, both the male and female, are the best for 

 hawking larks, as they are fast and active. The female 

 merlin, being the larger and stronger, is better for 

 pigeons. 



