60 THE BELLS. 



He must observe their mood on whom he jests, 

 The quality of persons, and the time ; 

 And, like the haggard, check at every feather 

 That comes before his eye." 



To " check " is a term used in falconry, signifying to 

 " fly at," although it sometimes meant to " change the bird 

 in pursuit."* The word occurs again in the same play 

 (Act ii. Sc. 4), and in Hamlet, Act iv. Sc. 7. 



Besides the "jesses," the " bells " formed an indispens- 

 able part of a hawk's trappings. These were of circular 

 form, from a quarter to a full inch in diameter, and made 

 of brass or silver, and were attached, one to each leg of 

 the bird, by means of small slips of leather called 

 "bewits." The use of bells was to lead the falconer by 

 their sound to the hawk when in a wood, or out of 

 sight. 



* Salvin and Brodrick, "Falconry in the British Islands." 



