382 FALCONRY 



sharp, for fear of an accident in case of 'crabbing.' The 

 beak, however, requires constant attention. In a wild state, no 

 doubt, hawks counteract the growth of the horn by the inces- 

 sant wear and tear of tough pulling at their food, the breaking 

 of bones, and pulling up of rough skin ; but when domesticated 

 and fed principally on soft food the beak is apt to grow fast, to 

 become soft and unsound, and to split. It must be watched with 

 care, and on the appearance of any split or scaling off must 

 be well examined. All the rotten part must be carefully pared 

 away till the root of the crack is arrived at, if not at the first, 

 then at the second or third operation. 



Moulting is a period when hawks require special care, both 

 to get their frames into the most vigorous condition, so as to 

 ensure the growth of strong broad feathers, and also to avoid 

 risk of injury to the feathers in the blood when they are very 

 soft and easily damaged. With care, however, hawks can be 

 flown at all stages of the moult, especially at a quarry, such as 

 game, which they are very fond of, and at which they can be 

 used when in very high condition. Eyesses usually commence 

 the moult much earlier than passage hawks — why this is so 

 we cannot tell. As a rule, a healthy eyess will throw her first 

 feathers — which will be the seventh in the wing — then the two 

 centre or ' deck ' feathers of the tail early in May or even in 

 April. Such a hawk if well fed will get through the more 

 important stages of her moult and be ready for use, even if she 

 has a feather or two to throw, by August 12. Passage hawks, 

 on the other hand, do not generally begin to moult till July, 

 and very often not till August. Such hawks as these can very 

 well be flown at game in the earlier stages of the moult without 

 their powers being very much affected. Occasionally, however, 

 a falcon will lose a fortnight or so in the latter part of Septem- 

 ber, owing to the wide gaps in her wings, for this will render it 

 difficult for her to overtake grouse, which are then very strong. 

 It is better to let her rest for a time than to risk her being 

 frequently disappointed. 



We have, however, successfully flown passage hawks at 



