A Summary of Falconry. a 1 2 



Mr. Latham is of opinion, that it is better to mew at large, and difapproves mew- 

 ing at the ftock. For (faith he) when (he is at large (he hath the exercife of her Wings 

 in flying up and down, which muft needs be good for her. Alfo (he may go to the 

 water if (he be difpofed, and takes (tones at her pleafure. She may do all things at 

 her own liking, whereas (he can do nothing at the (lock when (lie would : Neither can 

 you give her that is fitting to her own content but by guefs and imagination, where- 

 in we are many times deceived. And truly upon thefe considerations I am of his opinion^ 

 that it is better to mew at large, than at the ftock,. or ft one. 



Chap. VI. 

 Of the Haggard Falcon. 



{. I. 



Something of the name and nature of the Haggard Falcon, 



HE makes the Haggard Falcon to be the fame with the Peregrine ^ and is of opi- 

 nion, that the Falcon-gentle and Haggard are alfo of one and the fame kind, 

 the only difference being, that the former is the Ejafs or RamageBawk, the 

 Jatterthe fame taken wild after (he hath preyed for her lelf, making the word Haggard 

 to (ignifie as much as wild, oppofite to gentle or tame. The word Haggard is bomwed 

 of the French, Hagar, and figniftes ( as Robert Stephen interprets it) an old Falcon of 

 five or ftx years, having its pens worn ftort, or otherwife harmed, and fo taken for a price 

 fet on 'its head. Aldrovandus makes the word Hagar to be originally Dutch, and to 

 pgnifie a bunch, whence the Germans call this Falcon Ein Hager-falck, or rather Hoger- 

 falck, that is, a gibbous or bunch-back} Falcon. But this gibbous Falcon he makes to be 

 ajpecies diftinft both from the Falcon-gentle and Peregrine. For my part, being not wil- 

 ling unnecejfarily to multiply fpecies, I incline to Mr. Lathams opinion, that all thefe are 

 names of one and the fame kind of Hawk. 



The Haggard-Falcon is now-adays moft efteemed, not being ( as fome write ) a 

 choice and tender Hawk to endure wind and weather, but for hardinefs far before the 

 Falcon-gentle. It is a bird of great fpirit and mettle, like a Conquerour in a Coun- 

 try, keeping in aw and fubje&ion moft Fowl that flie,in fo much that the young ones 

 will venture upon Brants and Wild-geefe, till being foundly brufht and beaten by 

 thoie ftrong birds, they learn their error, and defift to meddle withfuch unwieldy 

 game. 



She refts no day, but toils continually, unlefs hindred by extremity of weather. 

 Hence he infers that, it is an error in Falconers after a day or two's flying to give their 

 young Hawks a day or two's reft, and concludes that whofoever can fly his Hawk 

 everyday, (hall have every day a good and perfect Hawk, but he that covets to fly 

 upon reft (hall feldom have a good and ftaid Hawk. 



When (he hath (lain and feifed her prey, if it be a Dove, as foon as (he hath broken 

 its neck (he prefently goes to the place we abhor our Hawks fhould fo much as touch s 

 which is the Crop, and takes her pleafure of what (he finds there, elpecially mu- 

 ftard or carlock feed, which he conceives (heufes by way ofPhyficto preferveher 

 health. 



4. II. 



How to reclaim a Haggard Falcon. 



HAving taken or purchafedone of thefe birds, whether (he be full or empty, fet 

 her down as foon as you can,and let her reft quietly the firft night, either feeld, 

 or in a rufter-hood. The next day taking her up gently, carry her continually on yout 

 Fift, ufing a feather to (broke her withal inftead of your hand. When (he will en- 

 dure to be toucht without ftarting, pluck off her Hood, and quickly and gently put 

 it on again, holding this courfe till (he begin to feed. Then prefer her meat, but 

 fuffer her to take but little at a time, never hooding and unhooding her without a 

 bit or two to quiet her, and win her love to the Hood and your felf. life your voice 



m 



