476 IMPING AND COPING 



pointed end, and consequently only require to be filed 

 into the like shape at the eye end. 



All feathers cast at the moult should be kept in a 

 moth-tight box. 



When cutting the feather on the hawk, the cut should 

 be made in a slanting direction, so as to exactly match 

 the one which is to be fixed on. The needle should 

 be previously dipped in salt and water to cause it to 

 rust, and thereby retain a better and firmer hold. It 

 should be forced equally far into the pith or centre of 

 both the feathers. 



When the feather is broken far down towards the 

 body, the best plan is to cut the new feather about an 

 inch too long, then, having cut off the end and opened 

 the sides, dip it in glue or cobbler's-wax, and push it 

 into the hollow of the feather left in the bird, and 

 fasten it in by passing a needle and waxed thread 

 through both shafts. Injury to a tail-feather is best 

 remedied when the bird is sitting hooded on another 

 man's fist. For the wings, the bird must be held 

 carefully by a second person, with its breast upon a 

 soft pillow, the holder of the bird placing both his 

 thumbs down the channel of its back to keep it firmly 

 down. He must not press on the bird's stomach, but 

 place his fingers upon its breast. Its feet, wrapped up 

 in a cloth, must be stretched out behind. 



' Coping ' is a term applied to the process of shorten- 

 ing the beak or talons of falcons. It is best performed 

 by means of a pair of sharp wire-cutters, the cut part 

 being afterwards scraped with a knife or a small file. 

 Wild falcons, when fresh caught, are always ' coped,' 

 to secure the falconer from injury. The beaks of 

 trained eyases are also coped ; they must not be 



