HAWKING. 149 
accident, leaped into the ditch after his royal master, 
and pulled him out. 
No pains were spared in breaking in the Hawks, 
as much of their value depended on their docility, 
derived from good and careful training. The young 
birds, when taken out of the nest, or sometimes 
caught by traps, as soon as they began to fly, were 
put into linen bags, with openings for the head and 
tail, that they might be brought home without injury. 
A hood or cap was then placed over its eyes, and, 
for a day or two, the bird was left to itself. After 
which, it was placed quietly on the fist, carried up 
and down the whole day, and gently stroked with a 
feather. Having been, in some degree, tamed by 
this treatment, and accustomed to handling, the hood 
was taken on and off quickly, till it was willing to 
feed. Meat was then offered, and the hood removed, 
the falconer making a particular call at the same 
time, which was invariably used whenever it was 
fed, but on no other occasion, that it might become 
acquainted with the voice of its feeder. It was then 
taught to alight upon the fist, from a perch, being 
still hood- winked, and receive its food; this was 
called luring the Hawk. When it was so far tamed 
as to come readily when called, it was allowed to 
remain unhooded, and then put to the lure, an arti- 
ficial bird, made of feathers and leather, thrown up 
into the air. To this a live pigeon or dead chicken 
was fastened, part of which, it was permitted to seize 
and eat ; during this part of training it was prevented 
from escaping by a long string. When quite familiar 
with the lure, it was taught to fly at live game, 
chiefly by means of a duck, which was blind-folded 
