32 ART AND PRACTICE OF HAWKING 



the area of England, and especially that part of it which is not 

 cut up into too small fields, is available, as well as the downs 

 and commons, even though an occasional spinny or small 

 plantation intrudes itself into the campaigning ground. Another 

 merit of the short-winged hawk is that she is less likely to be 

 lost. Trained as she is, or should be, upon missing her quarry, 

 to come back to the falconer himself, and remain with him until 

 her quarry is again actually on the wing, or, in the case of 

 ground-game, on its legs, there is little temptation either to 

 " rake away " or to '' check." Again, the length of the flights, 

 counting each separate bout in the pursuit as a flight, is very 

 much less ; so that the falconer — or ostringer, to give him his 

 correct name — has a far better chance of keeping in sight 

 when the quarry is either taken or put in. Finally, neither 

 of the species of short-winged hawks usually trained and flown 

 is much addicted to the vice of " carrying " ; and thus the risk 

 of losing a hawk or wasting valuable time by reason of this 

 vexatious habit is much less to be feared. It should perhaps 

 be added that constant exercise is less necessary for a short- 

 winged than for a longed-winged hawk, as the former may 

 be left idle for considerable periods, and when brought into 

 yarak again seems to have lost little if any of her speed or her 

 merits. 



At the same time, the temper and disposition of the short- 

 winged hawks are undeniably worse at the first than those of 

 the long-winged. Both goshawks and sparrow-hawks, whether 

 eyesses or wild caught, are naturally suspicious and mistrustful 

 of mankind. They are easily alarmed, and very ready to take 

 offence, and, once alienated or frightened, can with difficulty be 

 conciliated. Savage and vindictive by nature and habit, they 

 are subject to almost ungovernable fits of rage and sulkiness, 

 which can only be subdued and guarded against by the exercise 

 of much patience and good temper on the part of the trainer. 

 They are jealous and cruel, and cannot, as a rule, be flown in 

 company with other hawks, even of their own species and sex. 

 Once lost for any considerable time they resort to their wild 

 habits, and are difficult to re-capture. Unless carefully dieted 

 they are very subject to apoplectic fits. Their long tails, 

 although flexible and elastic under moderate pressure, will not 

 always stand a very severe strain, and are likely, in a serious 

 struggle either with any big quarry or with an awkward trainer, 

 to be broken. The short-winged hawks should generally be 

 belled on the tail. They are apt sometimes to crouch down 

 on their quarry when taken, in which case a bell on the leg 



