HAWKING. 
at liberty when the falcon was set at it, seemed completely 
paralysed with fear, and only attempted to struggle when the 
falcon had it on the ground. 
Partridge hawking requires the falconers to be on horseback, 
provided with a steady pointer and a spaniel or two. When 
a partridge is marked down the hawk is unhooded and cast 
off ; he flies round the falconer, rising higher and higher each 
gyration. When the partridge rises the hawk darts down to 
it with wonderful velocity. Should it evade his stroke, and 
take shelter in some bush or tree, the hawk makes his point, 
rises perpendicularly in the air over the spot, and waits on at 
a moderate height. When it has taken the bird the falconer 
alone has to approach, kneel down beside it, whistle as at feed- 
ing time, and, extending the arm gently, take hold of the 
partridge. He may then be placed on the wrist, still grasping 
his prey. He is then hooded, after being rewarded with the 
head of the partridge, and fed, if he is not to fly again. If he 
fails in his first flight a live partridge from the bag should be 
thrown up to him. 
Among the many birds at which the hawk may be flown 
it is hard to find one that affords more sport to the hawkers 
and more difficulty to the feathered hunter than the bold, 
cunning magpie. An example of such a morning’s pastime 
was some years ago given in an illustrated newspaper, and, as 
it may be new to not a few of my readers, I will here reproduce it. 
“ The hawks to be used in this flight should be a cast of male 
peregrines, called by falconers ‘tercels.’ The day should not 
be too sunny or windy ; a calm, dull day is the best, and the 
country open, with a pretty good sprinkling of magpies upon 
it. Before the hawks leave the hands it is well to explain the 
part the field should take in the amusement. They should be 
informed that dogs are not allowable ; that upon seeing a mag- 
pie they should observe a strict silence until the hawks are cast 
off. It should also be explained to them that, as the magpie 
makes up for its want of speed upon the wing by wonderful 
cunning and activity, he proves himself to be no easy bird to 
kill with hawks ; indeed, a flight may last from twenty to forty 
minutes. 
“ This being the case, the falconer requires every assistance 
from all present, and this help should be thus rendered : — The 
magpie knows that his safety depends on avoiding the stoops of 
the hawk, and he escapes them by taking short flights near the 
ground, from bush to bush, or along a hedge-row, &c., being 
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