INTR OD UCTION. 



the perch or block. These jesses are about six inches long, 

 and are never removed when the hawk is flown, though they 

 require to be renewed from time to time. In former days 

 varvels, or flat rings of silver, with the owner's name engraved 

 thereon, were permanently attached to the ends of the jesses, 

 and through these one end of the leash was passed, the other 

 end being prevented from going through by a leather button. 

 At the present day, however, most falconers prefer using a 

 figure 8 swivel, which is always detached before the hawk is 

 flown. 



The lure, already referred to, is a device for luring the 

 hawk back to her owner after an unsuccessful flight, and on 

 this account the hawk is early made acquainted with it by being 

 fed upon it daily while being trained. There are various 

 patterns ; one of the simplest and most easily made consists 

 of a couple of pigeons' wings tied together on a flat circular 

 leaden weight covered with leather, upon which a piece of 

 raw meat is tied on both sides. The tabiir-stick and drawer^ 

 which were formerly used as lures, have long been dis- 

 carded. 



The beaks and claws of wild-caught hawks are generally 

 so long and sharp as to require paring, or coping as it is 

 termed ; but this operation requires to be very carefully per- 

 formed (the hawk being hooded and held by an assistant), 

 and not more than the tenth of an inch removed, or the 

 efficiency of the beak and claws will be impaired. Indeed, 

 some falconers will never cope a hawk except when the beak 

 is overgrown ; and with goshawks especially, which have to 

 hold such powerful prey as hares and rabbits, strong and 

 sharp pounces are indispensable. 



Eastern falconers carry their hawks upon the right hand ; 

 European falconers always carry them on the left, leaving 

 the right hand free for detaching leash and swivel, and re- 

 moving and replacing the hood. 



For further information than can be afforded within the 

 narrow limits of an Introduction, the reader must be referred 

 to some of the works catalogued in the following pages. 



And here it may be well to direct attention to some of 



