274 ART AND PRACTICE OF HAWKING 



cold, to let a hawk which bathes well bathe in the sight of the 

 recusant, and to keep the bath on fine days within reach of the 

 latter. Such a hawk should also have her feet bathed now and 

 then while on the perch ; and her beak should be kept clear of 

 any scraps or stains which may remain on it after feeding. 

 This wiping of the beak should, however, be done in any case, 

 if the hawk is not careful herself about feaking, or rubbing the 

 refuse off her mandibles. 



Such is the rather long list of faults and vices. Let us not 

 end up the chapter with these, but hark back to the virtues, and 

 remind the reader that these are also great. Speed, courage, 

 mounting, and footing: these may be called the cardinal 

 virtues. Some hawks are born with some or all of them : some 

 achieve them ; while upon others — well, they must be thrust. 

 The mode of treatment suggested in the preceding pages has 

 been found by long experience to be the best for developing the 

 good qualities in a hawk as well as for eliminating the bad. 

 Exercise and practice are the essential requisites. Nature is 

 then working on the trainer's side. Every hawk should be 

 made as often as possible to earn her food by hard work. And 

 every hawk should be encouraged to take a pleasure in her 

 work and a pride in herself. Exercise means speed ; and speed 

 means success. With success will naturally come courage ; 

 and excellence in mounting and footing is no more than the 

 inevitable result of proper practice in the right sort of flights. 

 All hawks in the wild state can kill many sorts of quarry. All 

 trained hawks, therefore, should be able to take at least one. 

 But if any man expects to become a falconer off-hand, he will be 

 disappointed. If he will begin moderately, with one hawk, — a 

 kestrel for choice, — and train her single-handed and completely, 

 he will soon be able to attempt much greater things. 



