PREFACE 



NOTWITHSTANDING the large, number of books, both 

 ancient and modern, which have been written on the art 

 of Hawking, it cannot be said that the English-speaking people 

 generally have more than a very vague idea of the character of 

 the sport, or the mode in which it was, and still is, conducted. 



Yet, in an experience of Hawking which extends over more 

 than thirty years, the author has found that a great and increas- 

 ing curiosity, and even a real interest in the subject, prevails, 

 especially amongst sporting men, who are in many notable 

 instances beginning to believe that hawks and their owners 

 have been unduly disparaged, and that there is more to be 

 said in their favour than has for the last two centuries been 

 imagined. 



There has not been space in this volume to discuss the much- 

 vexed question how far the use of hawks is compatible with the 

 preservation of game. But it may be said here, without any 

 reservation, that wherever experiments have been actually tried, 

 Hawking has been found not to spoil but to improve the 

 shooting. 



The object of the author has been to describe as briefly as 

 was consistent with clearness the birds now chiefly used in the 

 chase, and the manner of training and flying them. His hope 

 is that some of the sportsmen who read these pages may, in 

 spite of the difficulties which they will have to encounter, resolve 

 to give this old and honourable sport a trial. 



The use of technical terms has been avoided as far as 

 possible ; and those which could not be excluded have been 

 explained in the text. When the reader is puzzled by any 

 word, a reference to the Index will direct him to the page where 

 the meaning of it is given. 



