368 FALCONRY 



case it must not be too smooth, lest the hawks slip off it. 1 On 

 the under -side of the perch is nailed a piece of stout canvas, 

 (whence it is often called the screen). This is best nailed 

 firmly along the pole, with the use of leather washers to pre- 

 vent the canvas from tearing at the nail-holes. At intervals of 

 about eighteen inches can be worked large eyelet holes, through 

 which the leashes can be passed, so as to tie round the 

 perch. If it is preferred, the nails can be put in at intervals of 

 about eight inches, so as to allow the leash to be passed 

 between the canvas and the perch ; but by the first-named plan 

 the canvas will last twice as long. The object of the screen is, 

 first, to make sure that a hawk that has bated off the perch 

 will certainly attempt to regain her position on the same side 

 that she came off from, and so will not get her jesses twisted 

 round the pole secondly, it enables a hawk that is not very 

 active, to struggle to the perch again by getting a hold with 

 her claws in the canvas. This perch is in universal use in- 

 doors and is perfect for passage peregrines, merlins, or the short- 

 winged hawks ; but eyess peregrines, being less active, cannot 

 safely be placed on the perch at first, though most of them 

 will gradually become used to it. A sick hawk should never 

 be placed on any perch from which it can possibly be hung. 



A bed of sand, three inches thick, should be placed below 

 the perch, and that part which is foul must be removed every 

 morning. If sand is not procurable, sawdust can be used ; but 

 in that case great care must be taken lest any of it find its way 

 on to the hawk's food, especially if it be deal sawdust, which 

 contains turpentine. 



In fine weather hawks must be kept in the open air as 

 much as possible, and every day, before they are flown, should 

 be placed out at least for an hour or two to ' weather.' If put out 

 for this purpose by seven o'clock in the morning they should be 

 well weathered and ready to fly by eleven o'clock at latest, and 



1 If a padded perch is required, the best and most durable method is to 

 cover the pole with Brussels carpet turned the reverse side out ; it will be found 

 to answer every purpose and to come cheap in the end. 



