MH. T. J. MANX ON HAWKS. 
665 
The Mew. 
A hor.se without a .stable is a white elephant to its owner : so also 
a Hawk without a mew, or at least a room or shed which can he 
converted into one. Tlie mews at Charing Cross Avere established 
in 1377 by Kichard TI., and used until 1537, when in the twent}'- 
seventh year of Henry VTIT.’s reign they were converted into stables. 
'I'he fact of the public stables in London being now known as 
“mews” is, Blaine considers, undoubtedly traceable to the same 
places in many instances having originally been utilized for the 
moulting and training of Hawks. The wor<l inpw, T maj' mention, 
is derived from the Latin wnto, T change. I have had three 
mews in my time. The firat was a summer-house — a damp place, 
and damp is fatal to Hawks, esj)eclally Merlins. 3'he second 
I built of brick with a thatched roof, and facing the south. The 
thatch T found both warm in winter and cool in summer. The floor, 
which must be of wood, sho\dd be placed 18 in. above the ground, 
free passage of air being ensured beneath by fixing air bricks in the 
walls ; the Avindow should be made Avith tAvo horizontal sashes, one 
fixed ; parallel Avith the AvindoAv, Avooden .sliding shutters are fixed 
inside in such a manner that, Avhilst admitting air, light is prarii- 
rcillij excluded, ^ly )>resent meAv is part of a brick building, and 
measures 18 ft. by 11 ft. by 10 ft. in height, but I consider 7 ft. to 
the Avail plate high enough. The perch runs lengthways 3 ft. fi in. 
from the floor, having some Hessian hanging from it, the object 
being to enable the HaAvks to regain their pole should they bate oft'. 
The perch is 2A in. in diameter, and covered carefully Avith carpet, 
the Aveb side outAvards. On the floor, about 2 ft. 6 in. on either 
side of the perch, raised AA'ooden ribs 2 in. high are nailed running 
]iarallel Avith it : betAveen these, dry, clean sand is placed, for it is by 
keeping this sand free from castings and mutes that the Falconer 
knoAvs if his HaAvks are in health. A block for chopping meat 
should be placed in one corner, and above this a lanthorn. A feAv 
shelves and plenty of hooks on the back of the door should assist 
the Falconer to proA^e the old adage, “« jtlwp for erprijthing, ami 
poeri/fJii}i;/ in ifi placp." 
"Weathering. 
To keep HaAvks in health they should, Avhen it is fine, be placed 
on a block on the grass in a sheltere«l, and, if po.ssible, sunny spot. 
