CHAP. I. A short Collection of the natures and names of Hawkes, but especially of the Hawgard Faulcon.

WHereas I remember in Turberuile his booke of Hawking, amongst others of his collections, there is a description of sea­uen kindes of Faulcons, and for the frank­nesse of her mettall and courage. He pre­fers the Faulcon gentle, as chiefe amongst them all: and also sets downe his reason why shee is so called: which is as he affirmes, for her louing condition and behauiour to the man. Also he shewes that she is ven­turous and strong, and full of courage: able to brooke and endure all times and seasons, no weather doth come to her amis, and so as from his Author, he giues her his absolute commendation and praise. The se­cond as he placeth her, is the hawgard faulcon, other­wise [Page 4] caled the Peregrine faulcon, and in the same place is so termed, which title hee might as well and as fitly haue giuen vnto the passenger soare faulcon, for she is likewise a traueller, though not of so long continuance, But concerning the Haggard, the author of his worke, affirmeth amis of her, for he affirmeth that she is a ve­ry choise and tender hawke, to endure winde and boi­sterous weather. And whereas hee there sheweth a dif­ference between them, in calling the one a Faulcon gentle, and the other a Haggard faulcon: I take it, his meaning was, that eyther the eias, or the ramage hawke, of the same and one kinde, should bee the faul­con gentle, and the Haggard faulcon, that was taken wilde, hauing prayed for her selfe. And it must needs be so, howsoeuer I know the Tassell gentle is the male and make vnto them both: and therefore hee needed not to haue made any such difference betweene them, but rather to haue called or termed them Faulcons gentle togeather, or slight Faulcons, and to haue Pre­ferred & placed the Hawgard first in his booke, Either ra­mage or eias which place indeed she far deserueth beyond the other: for shee is more able to endure both wind, weather, & all sorts of other extraordinary seasons, as I could shewe you more at large. But because I haue a great matter to accomplish and performe, I will leaue to speake a­ny more of this point, or in this place of any of them, for it wold but little or nothing at al auail vs, to search or know any more of their titles or names thē we doe already: but euen to call them by such as in our me­mories and at this present are most familiar, and or­dinarily vsed amongst vs.

CHAP. II. A perfect description of the Hawgard Faulcon, with the manner and course of her life, while shee is wilde, and vnreclaimed.

THis Haggard Faulcon slight or gētle, which you list to terme her, hath for the most part all places both by Sea, and Land, left vnto her selfe, where to rest and haue her abiding, & where she best liketh, there she continueth certaine; like a Conqueror in the con­try, keeping in awe and subiection the most part of all the Fowle that flie, insomuch that the Tassell gentle, her naturall and chiefest companion, dares not come neere that coast where shee vseth, nor sit by the place, where she standeth: such is the greatnesse of her spirit, she wil not admit of any society, vntill such time as na­ture worketh in her an inclination to put that in prac­tise which all Hawkes are subiect vnto at the spring time: and then she suffereth him to draw towards her, Tc cawke, but still in subiection, which appeareth at his com­ming, by bowing down his body and head to his foot, by calling and cowring with his wings, as the young ones doe vnto their dam, whom they dare not dis­please. and thus they leaue the countrey for the som­mer time, hasting to the place where they meane to breede.

While th [...]se Hawkes heere mentioned, bee remai­ning with vs in the hart of England, they doe pray vp­pon diuers and sundry sorts of foules, as brants, wild­geese, &c. but they are especially the Passenger-soare-Faulcons, [Page 6] or the yong Hawgards of great mettall and spirit, that for want of vnderstanding their owne harme, The brants and wilde. geese. do venture vpon such vnwealdy pray, who not withstanding will afterwards learne to know their own error, & by being brusht & betē by those shrewd apponents, will desist and leaue off to meddle with them any more. Allso the Haggard doth pray vpon greene foule, where shee espieth her aduantage; the greene plouer, the bastard plouer, and of diuers o­ther fowles that might be named, but most of all on housedoues, for they are most rife and common to be found, and not of anything but what shee labou­reth and takes great paines to get at all times, and yet-speeds not at all times of her purpose, but working her selfe vp into the aire, passeth aloft vntill shee espieth somthing that she likes, and then shee stoopes, some daies osten, and misses of her pray, and then rests her selfe till breath and courage be regained, and then to her taske againe.

Thus doth she rest no daie, but toile continually, vnles the extremity of foule, and tempestuous weather doe let and hinder her, The practise of the wilde Faulcon. Rest old and staid hawks after toiling but to the yong hawke till she bee staid and blooded, giue no rest, or very little if it be possible. when no other foules are able to stirre abroade to seeke their foode. This proues what hurt we doe vnto our yong hawkes (being full of mettall, sound, and couragious) when as for two or three daies flying, wee doe commonly determine of two or three daies resting: this wee learne not from the wilde hawke, whose course and order (with rea­son, and as neere as wee may) wee ought to imitate and follow. Shee, when shee hath laboured three or foure daies togeather in boisterous and bitter weather is not the next day one iot the worse, but rather the better, for by the dayly vse of her bodie, and exercise [Page 7] of her wings, she is preserued & kept in perfect health. Sickly or crasie Hawkes must haue rest in reasō. The losse of breath. Glut & im­perfection in the stomack. she gathers noe glut to decay her stomacke, nor wants no breath to maintaine her courage, which bee two principall things wee ought to care for: the one, if we rest we cannot preuent: and for the other, no re­medy but to feede with hot meate, and very cleane, to washe hard, to giue stones, a few, and often, and all will hardly serue: for when we purpose to rest one day or two, we are forced (many times contrary to our expectation) to rest one weeke or two, so that whosoeuer hee bee that can flie his hawke euery daie, shall haue euery day a good & a perfect hawke: And contrary wise he that couets to flie vpon rest, shall sel­dome haue a perfect or staid hawke, beside other dan­gers that may grow to the great impairing of her health. A necessary obseruation Further if the Faulconer be not quick of appre­hension, and dilligent, much harme may ensue: hee must therefore be alwaies present with her, to obserue the manner of her flights, the greatnesse of her sup­pers, how she hasteth her meate out of her gorge, how and what she casteth in the morning, whether she mu­teth seldome and sliceth, or often and dropping, Good. Bad. which signifies som danger is like to ensue, as by catch­ing heate, after her drawing, while she is in her greace, or by some tedious flight, flown before she be throw­ly cleane, by receiuing a great gorge after the same: al­so these occasions of extraordinary and vntimely heate, may breede the Cray, and ingender the fillanders▪ which although they proceede of the cold & dulnes of the stomacke, not kindly disgesting, what it receiueth: yet may this vntimely heat forenamed (the stomacke beeing oruer charged) so choake and kill the appetite, that sodenly (euen of one gorge) this infirmity may [Page 8] grow. The fillan­ders. How to at­taine vnto the perfect knowledge of the con­ning & skil full art of Faulconry. He that will be a Faulconer, must bee no slug­gard, he must be vp early, and downe late, or else hee shall neuer see how his hawke reioiceth: neither must he bee tempted or drawne away with other mutabili­ties, or wandring affection, but remaine and continue constant in the art he professeth.

I haue already spoken of her chiefest phisicke, as she is wilde, which is the labour of her body, and the exercise of her wings: Now will I shew you what shee actually addeth to the former for the preseruation, & continuance of her health.

When she hath slaine and seised on her pray, if it be a doue, so soone as she hath broken the necke, then pre­sently she goes vnto that place which we abhor our hawkes should so much as touch, which is the croppe, and thereof she taketh her pleasure, and of that which is within it, as especially of the Mustard seede, or Car­lock, which soeuer it be, and of this she will not faile to to cast great store in her casting euery morning vnder her stand. And surely I thinke shee takes great de­light to eate it, and vseth it as phisicke for her health. When she hath well fed, and filled her gorge and body full of meate: she leaueth that place, and flieth vnto some solitary and secret place, where she sitteth all the day in the aire, and hath the water and what she liketh to benefit her selfe withall. When night drawes neere away she flies vnto the place where secrely within her selfe she hath purposed and appointed beefore to rest all night.

And thus omitting to speake any more of her in the kinde of her wildenesse, I will now according to the order and method vsed by my selfe in mine owne practise, shewe how to reclaime, and make her subiect to the man.

CHAP. III. Heere followeth the manner of reclaiming your Haggard, with the meanes how to enter her to the lure.

WHen you doe take one of these Hawkes, or shall haue one of them newly taken & brought to your handes, most commonly heere in England their bodies will be full of meate, then is it best after her taking (assoone as you may) to set her downe, and let her sit where she may rest quietly for the first night, either seeled, or in a rufter hood: so shall you preuent many dangers, that might otherwise ensue, as the frounce; or surfeting on heate. Likewise if shee be taken when she is empty, it is your best course to vse her as before, for they are vpon such occasion subiect to anger and fretting, and therof may the like imperfections grow, the next day easily take her vpon your fist gently, and cease not to carry her the whole day continually, v­sing a feather in steede of your hand to touch and stroake her withall, and when you finde her gentle and willing to be toucht without starting: A feather is more gentle then your hand, & she wil endure it better. Vuhood her first in the morning. then may you alone by your selfe pull off her hood, and quicly, and gently put it one againe, holding this course vntill she begin to feede: then you must proffer her meate of­ten, suffering her to take but a little at once, euen to please her withall, neuer pulling of her hood, nor put­ting it one without a bit or two, both before and after, to quiet her, and drawe her loue vnto the hood and your selfe, not forgetting to vse your voice vnto her, before you take it off, and all the while she is a feeding [Page 10] and no longer: that as shee reclaimeth, and her sto­macke groweth or encreaseth, she may learne to know that when she heareth your voice, she shall bee fed. Then, when through your diligent paines, and this prescribed order in your practise you haue brought her to feede boldly: then will it be fit time to teach her to iumpe to your fist, which you must doe in this manner.

Set her downe vpon a pearch, about your brest high, or otherwise if it be a low pearch, then you must bee on your knees, because your Haggard will bee fearefull, and ready to start and bate from you, when shee shall see you so high ouer her at the first, vntill she bee better acquainted with you. Then vnstrike her hood, and lure her vsing your voice, with a bitte or two of meate bestowed on her as shee is hoodded, for that wil make her eager, and to loue your voice, be­cause shee sees nothing to crosse that humor in her: whereas otherwise it may be as yet her coynesse, or her perceiuing of one thing or other may prouoke her to take dislike, or to bate from you, and thereby catch some sodaine feare, A good ca­ueat. which at the first you ought to be carefull to preuent, for it is hard to worke that out a­gaine, which she is suffered to take at the first, and most commonly she will be subiect to it euer after, whe­ther it be good or euill. Therefore it shall be your best course to hold this order, vntill you shall finde her fa­miliar, and her stomacke perfect: for it is that onely that guides and rules her, The stomack it is the curbe and bridle that holds and keepes her in subiection to the man, & it is the spurre that pricketh her forwarde to perform the duty she oweth to her keeper, and that which hee requireth from her to be effected: and without that [Page 11] one only thing bee preserued and carefully kept ripe perfect, sharpe, and truely edged, there is no subiecti­on to be gained; nor no content to be receiued: No subiec­tion when the stomacke is full. but scornefull disobedience, and alltogether offensiue­nesse.

Now by this time you may be bould to pull of her hood, and let her sit bare faced▪ keeping your selfe as as yet close by her: and as you shall perceiue her to haue any vntoward humor in her, (as to stare about, or wry her selfe to and fro) profer her a bit of meate with your hand, and vse your voice withall to drawe her straight vnto you, which when you haue effected, and that you doe finde she will boldly attend, willing­ly receiue bits at your hand, and iump readily to your fist: Then will it be a fit time to set her to the lure: which order and practise (because I know the simplest Faulconer is not ignorant of) I will omit.

But to proceed, so soone as your hawke wil com re­dely in the creyance to the lure garnisht with meate, stay not long in that kinde, for she will soone beginne to scorne it, and looke annother way. Then will it be conuenient to let her see a liue doue at the lure, and lure her vnto the same: which when shee hath killed, and eaten the head, take her vp very gent­ly with a bit of meate, and put on her hood: then lure her againe vnto the dead pelt, and so vse her two or three times and no more: for she will quickly begin to perceiue your intent, and will grow loath to be ta­ken off, and her desire to keepe it still in her possession will cause her to drag it from you: and thereby her loue will rather abate, then encrease.

Often luring at one time and at her first entrance is good to make her perfect, and to hasten her withall: [Page 12] but vse it not longe, nor no longer then I haue direct­ed. Also it is worse in a field hawke, then it is in a ri­uer hawke, in regard (as you haue heard) it moues her to carry, which is a great fault in any hawke And ther­fore now it is full time to lure her loose vnto liue Doues, which you must let her see at your lure to draw and hasten her to come vnto you with loue and cou­rage.

Also you must let her sease vpon them and kill thē, euen at your foote, one after another, for halfe a do­zen daies togeather. being sure he that holdes her, may haue skill to let her in with her head right towards you, and lure not far vntill her stomacke be perfect, & her selfe very ready to come: for otherwise she may es­pie somthing out of the way that she hath more liking vnto, and so for that time be lost, which would be ve­ry hurtfull vnto her, although she should bee recoue­red againe.

Likwise forget not all this time of her making (while she is on the ground, either pluming or feeding to walke round about her, Remember this rule. vsing your voice, and gi­uing her many bits with your hand: And leaue not off this course, but euery day vse her vnto it, vntill you haue wonne her euen to leane and bend her body to your hand, and to bring what shee hath in her foote towards you-so far as shee is able, or otherwise to shew her loue and desire vnto the same.

By this time it will not bee amisse to spring her vp some liue Doues as shee comes vnto you, betwixt the man and the lure: and be sure they be giuen in a long Criance, that shee may not kill them farre from you; but alwaies that shee may trusse them ouer your head, and fall neere you; for otherwise it may be a speciall [Page 13] caue to stsrike a timerous conceit into her, and make her sit and stare at you, and to drag and carry from you, and some time to leaue and forsake what shee hath and goe her way, when shee shal sit and see you comming so farre from her. I haue heard of some Hawkes that would not be taken vp againe without striking or rap­ping in the Cryance: but whensoeuer they haue beene flowne, and not kild a fowle, they would surely haue beene lost without such a deuice, which is a great fault in any Hawke, & it doth greatly redownd vnto the dis­credit of the Fawlkconer, that through his default and negligence, shee haue caught such an ill property in her first making, because he had no more care nor skill to gouerne her aright: For there is many a one that takes in hand to keepe a Hawke, that hauing neither skill nor iudgement, doe not deserue the true title of a Faulco­ner. Therefore beware of this one thing, which I may iustly terme an error in diuers keepers of Hawkes, who haue by this ouersight spoiled, and vtterly vndone ma­ny a braue Haggard.

CHAP. IIII. How to order and gouerne your Hawke in the time of her lureing, and how to keepe her from carrying, and other ill qualities incident to Hawkes at that time.

HAuing bestowed halfe a dozen Pigeons vpon your Hawke, in the manner for­merly mentioned (alwaies remembring to vse your voice) you may now be bold (at a conuenient houre in the euening when shee heareth your voice, and hath you in her [Page 14] sight) to hold in your lure, and suffer her to flie about you, holding her with your voice and lure as neere you as may be, to teach her to doe her businesse, and worke it on your head. Then cast her vp a Doue with a loud voice: I haue heard of some men that haue disliked this course, affirming that Doues will make Haggards car­rie: which is not so, What it is that makes Haggards carry. for that is idlenes and want of skill in their keepers, that causes them to Carry: and besides he that can get nothing els, must of necessity be pleased with what he hath: And might I haue neuer such variety of other fowles, yet would I vse the Doue, (although some other things would not be hurtfull) for I neuer had Haggard, but I could make her sit with the Doues head in her foot (which is something ligh­ter then the body) and neuer carry it. Therefore expe­rience tels me in this case what may be done: And I am perswaded that many doe deceiue themselues in this respect, and doe neuer find out the true cause that makes their Haggards dregge and carry from them at their first luring vnto liue doues: which is not the lightnes of the doue as they suppose that prouokes her vn­to it, but it is (as I haue said before) either the vnskil­fulnes or negligence in their keepers; who haue not painefully and with diligence ordered them aright in their reclaiming and first making, neither haue they ta­ken due time therein, nor vsed them with that respect of loue and gentlenes, whereby they might winne and draw their loue vnto them, but contrariwise haue dealt rashly and roughly with them, which the Hawke quick­ly perceiuing, doth for the most part reward & requite her keepers vnkindnesse, with strange behauiour, and disdainefull coynesse. Another cause of their dragging and carrying is, that their keepers haue giuen them lit­tle [Page 15] or no content in their lureing: but haue sought to draw them vnto them by constraint, and haue giuen them at their comming a very slight reward, or none at all, it may be sometimes vpon the pelt of a pigeon, or some other dead thing, in which shee takes no delight neither are such slight matters any thing worth, to win a Hawgards loue withall, for as you doe teach her the way to come vnto you, so must you by your art and in­dustry giuer her full assurance of her Your kinde dealing with her, does draw her loue to you. content and wel­come when shee is come vnto you, which assurance cannot be made with dead things onely, but with such as are liuing, which shee is naturally enclined to loue and like of, for if the pleasure which shee takes in her reward, be the only cause that moues a hawke to come vnto the man (which euery Fawlconer must confesse is true) you must needs thinke when shee misses that con­tent in her reward, and finds it not to her liking, if after­terwards shee be farre from you, her hast will be but small in repairing to you, likewise when shee hath beene thus badly rewarded, and long debarred of her natu­rall desire and delight, and after you shall come to lure her to a liue doue, it is most likely at her first ceasing v­pon it, shee will be loth to let you come neere her, for feare you should depriue her of her vnaccustomed yet long desired pleasure, which shee hauing obtained will be vnwilling to leaue, and therefore will offer to rise, and carry it away: whereupon some men suddenly (yet simply) impute the cause thereof to the doues light­nes, which indeed is nothing so, for if there be no fault at that time in the faulconer, Before shee be well ac­customed to liue doues. that through his rashnes or vnskilful demeanor he giues her no occasion (which he * as yet may easily doe) then is it nothing els but the very pleasure▪ and delight which shee does take in the [Page 16] life and motion of the doue, for when shee feeles it stirre and flutter in her foote, The stir­ring of the doue which is then strāg makes her iot for ioy. the▪ nouelty of that from which shee hath beene so long estraunged, makes her iocund and so ouercomes her, with sudden ioy and gladnesse, that shee knowes not for the time how to sit, or behaue her selfe, shee will be so hot and eager on it, for the preuenting of which coynes and fugitiue desire in your Hawke at her first luring vnto liue doues, you must restraine her and draw her gently to you with your lure or cryance, not s [...]ddenly or rashly, but by de­grees, and giue her some bits of meat with your hand, being on your knees, to please and content her, and by this louing vsage you shall find your first doue, to be the worst doue: and the more ofter that you doe vse her vnto them, the quietter shee will be and the better plea­sed both with them and your selfe, louing your Which you must alwaies be careful to vse in your whole prac­tise of luring your Hag­gard. voice, and you the better for their sakes, and by vsing this course you shall find such a suddaine alteration in her, that at the first shee did not dragge so fast from you, but now shee will bring it with as much speed towards you: yea shee will meet you with it, and be willing to change a whole doue with you for a bit of meat at your hand, and what can you desire more: and whatsoeuer he be that carefully obserueth this rule, and doth pain­fully practise the same, (with due respect vnto the Which is the stomack.maine point) shall not faile of his expectation, but in the space and time before limitted shall be sure to haue his hawke loueing inward, and ready whensoeuer time shall serue to be let into any hawke, or to be throwne of vpon a beaten fowle, as the Faulconer in his discre­tion shall see and find it meet. And because in these daies euery one that professeth Faulconry, taking the charge vpon them to keepe a hawke with a desire to be [Page 17] accounted Faulconers, yet haue not had time to obtaine experience, and therefore of necessity must needs want the knowledge of iudgeing and discerning the true na­ture of their hawkes, the The want of skill to know the nature & con­dition of the hawke, doth cause the Fawlcon to commit ma­ny errors in the reclai­ming of the Haggard: many times to her great danger and vtter ouer­throw. want of which knowledge makes them commit many errors in managing and re­claiming their Haggards, for whose helpe and instru­ction I will proceed, to the setting downe of some ne­cessary obseruances, concerning the qualities and dis­positions of diuers Haggards, the Knowledge of which cannot chuse but bee much beneficiall to direct the courses and practises of such young men, as doe intend industriously to labour to attaine to the readiest, safest, most profitable and commendable course of manning, reclaiming, and luring the Haggard, Faulcon gentle.

CHAP. V. A necessary obseruation concerning the seuerall conditions of Hawkes, and how to alter any malignant humor, or hurtfull quallity in them.

ALthough the Fawlcons gentle, or slight Fawlcons, are by nature all of one kinde; yet in quality and condition they doe dif­fer farre, which difference, you must by your knowledge, together with your pain­full practise; seeke to learne and find out in the time of their luring and making, at which time if you doe with attentiue diligence, marke and obserue your Haggards disposition, it will be an excellent meanes of attaining and performing your purpose with much facillitie, and content.

For example, you shall sometimes meet with a Hawk [Page 18] that when you haue well lured her, and giuen all the good content you can deuise vnto her, yet vpon the least scope or liberty which shall be offered, shee will no tarry with you, but goe her way, then may you be sure shee as it were longeth, and her mind standeth a­nother way; therefore not onely to proue her inclina­tion, but also to reclaime her from so bad a condition, you must take this course.

Abate her pride somewhat, yet with reason and re­spect vnto the weather, which being done, if you haue neuer a make-hawke of your owne, then must you ob­taine the benefit of one by friendship, then be sure to take a fit houre in the euening vpon a conuenient and easie place, and one couple of fowle with your make hawke, flowne and stooped once or twice, or as you shall see cause in the managing of your flight, for your best vantage in landing, If this course stay her not, there is no hope of her, for the riuer her loue is not to fowle, but is addi­cted another way. but when shee is comming for the lust to kill it ouer land, be sure to stand vnder the wind with your Hawke, and let her see the fowle ouer­throwne and goe into the quarry: and if you perceiue shee flieth in with a courage, and ceaseth with loue and heat on the fowle, make in apace to crosse the wings of the fowle, and make that safe, suffring them a while to take their pleasure together, which done with meat cleanly drest Be chary lest you fray your young hawke with your hast. take vp your old Hawke gentlie, and let the other haue the quarry vnto her selfe, and take her pleasure thereon with your owne helpe on your knees to please her, and beware shee takes no pill nor pelfe, to glut her withall, and so reward her with Be carefull to feed clean the benefit whereof few takes notice. cleanlie feed, giuing her supper vnto her as shee sits vpon the fowle, vse her thus three or foure times together, but let it be with good meat, cleane washt, and well drest from your owne hand.

[Page 19]When you haue vsed this course, at your next com­ming to the brooke, let your make-hawke be flowne, and when shee hath stooped, and is wrought to her place againe, at your next showing let your hawke see the fowle throwne in, and flie for the killing thereof her selfe with the other hawke, then marke the manner of that flight with circumspection, for by it you shall haue a great ghesse of your future hope, and what will ensue; for if shee hotly and kindly entertaines the bene­fit of the aduantage offered vnto her at that time by the other hawke, and doth with attentiue eagernesse follow the fowle, which shee saw throwne in, flying round vpon that and vpon your selfe, and vvith good hap enioies the fovvle; it shevves her loue and disposi­tion is agreeable to your desire, and no doubt (vvith good vsage) may make you an excellent hawke. And although this is the onelie meanes to reclaime and re­couer anie metled Hawke, that hath as it vvere stragled, and killed checke from her Keeper at randome. Yet may you faile in this prescribed order, although you obserue and performe it neuer so exactlie, vnlesse you likewise be carefull to keepe and maintaine her stomack good and perfect, which must be done with cleane feed, stones, and casting, for of this be assured, if her sto­macke be imperfect, and defectiue, neither loue of man, loue of fowle, loue of hawke, nor one thing, nor other, will hold her in subiection, but doe what you can shee will fall off from you, Her inward disposition of wildnes, is made known by her out­ward action of departure and take any occasion to bid you farewell, vtterly disclaiming and renouncing all former familiaritie, and acquaintance betwixt you, and will betake her sellfe to her former course of wildnesse, from which your art hath neither wonne nor yet forced her haggardly inclination.

[Page 20] The second rule. There is a Hawke of another disposition, which in her making hath not once offended you, but hath pro­ued inward and louingly disposed towards you. This Hawke you may presume to be more bold withall then with the other, for when you haue a couple of fowle, that lie fit for your purpose, throw off your make-hawk, & when shee hath once stooped them vpon her point, or before, at the setting in of the fowle let in your yong hawke: If shee fixe her eie vpon the other hawke, and worke her, then need you not to doubt, but suffer your young hawke flie till shee hath almost reacht the o­ther, but then be sure to show the fowle, and then if shee stoop it with the other hawke, and worke it againe with her, then if it be possible let them kill it at the next downe come, for so shall you please your young hawke in due time. For the onelie content you can giue to those kinde of hawkes, is to let them haue their de­sires speedilie, before they beginne to be wearie, and while their courage is in them, and vntil they be sound­lie in loue and blood, for there is not anie thing that puts a young hawke sooner out of conceit with the man, or withdrawes her loue, and driues her sooner a­way, then to suffer her to flie too long before shee be serued.

The third rule. There is yet a Hawke of a third disposition, or qualitie, that also in the time of her making, hath giuen or shew­ed little or no cause of offence vnto her keeper, yet in his obseruation hee hath perceiued her to be of a wor­king humor, desirous to clime, and of an aspiring spi­rit, but through his care and skill he hath kept her downe, and held her neere about him, which course I hold expedient to be vsed, for in my youth I learned and obserued it, and euer since in my labor haue found [Page 21] the same to be the most certaine and best rule to be no­ted, that in the time of her making no scope be giuen to the Haggard, neither to flie high, nor wild, but to be held downe and neere you: For whensoeuer shee shall come to be welblooded on Fowle, and perceiues what shee should doe, if euer shee were a flier you cannot hold her downe, now when you shal come (according to the foresaid manner) to let this Hawke into another hawk, you shall see her goe to her businesse without euer re­specting or looking towards the other hawke, but wor­king vpon you as if shee were wilde, then doth it be­houe you to feare her, and be carefull to let her see fowle in due time, least when shee comes to her wonted place, shee goes her way. For it is the manner of such great metteld and selfe wild hawkes, not to abide nor tarry at the first no longer, then they be where they may command their pray. Therefore for such a Hawke as a man shall find to be selfe conceited, not caring for nor regarding the companie of another hawke, you ought vntill shee be verie well quarried to be carefull, & suffer her not to flie too long at the first, before you shew her fowle: and so the shorter worke you make with her, the greater content you giue her, and shall thereby win her loue vnto you for euer.

With the first of these three orders, I haue reclai­med an outragious vnstaied hawke, and so besotted her with the loue of fowle, an other hawke, and the man: that shee hath falne cleane from her vpwardnesse and high flying. Insomuch that I haue beene enforced to flie her single, and kill fowle with her on easie places, and otherwise with a good stomack put vnto her, haue throwne her off on great waters, and amongst manie Fowle, yea, and haue had much adoe to rowse and stir [Page 22] her vp from that submisse and dreaming disposition which shee had caught, yet in the end haue by the fore­said meanes awakened and recouered her, brought her to perfection and made an excellent hawke of her self, or otherwise.

And whosoeuer doth keep manie hawkes, may some­times meet with such a one, which if hee doth; it shall be meet and conuenient for them to take her from the helpe of anie other Hawke, and put her to seruice her selfe, adding to the same the assistance of his owne labour and sikll, with great respect vnto her stomacke, with a steddie and certaine hand to be held on her: For he that obserueth not these things, shall hardlie be able to keep and gouerne his Hawke aright, as he ought to doe.

CHAP. VI. How to order any wyld hawke or other, that comes not from the mew.

IN regard the making and reclaiming of a wild hawke newly taken, doth some­thing differ from that of the hawke which is drawne from the mew, both in respect of her fatnes, and diuers other causes; I haue also thought it fit to set downe an order to be vsed in performing the same.

At such time as you haue reclaimed and made your hawke familiar, and so gentle as that shee will endure to sit bare faced, in the euening or night amongst com­panie: then is it meet for you to beginne to giue her stones, and let her haue them by night, and euerie [Page 23] night, vntill you doe find her stomacke good, and then you may proffer her casting, which shee will not refuse but take it willinglie; and I would wish you to be verie carefull at your first giuing of her casting, that it may be with her loue and liking, for othervvise I haue seen diuers havvkes beaten out of loue vvith the same, A great fault in the Faulconer. so that they vvould neuer take it vvillinglie after. Like­vvise if shee should take her casting before her stomack were sufficiently prepared, it were to no purpose, nei­ther would it auaile anie thing at all; for it is the stones that must first prepare the way, by stirring and dissol­uing such grease and glut, or what besides shee hath in her, and make it fit to passe away in her mutes downe­ward, and also to be brought and drawne by her ca­stings vpward. Therefore for this time and according to the foresaid order, and rules set downe for the time of lureing, and labouring your hawke, when as you ought to carrie an euen and a steddie hand, feeding cleane, and (with discretion) short withall, when you are disposed to giue stones, it shall bee your best course, when shee hath put away her supper from a­boue, then before you goe to bed to giue her halfe a dozen stones, ab [...] the hand, if you haue the art, if not then otherwise [...] you like best to cast her: Let her haue them as often as you can, vntill such time as you come to giue her such things, whereon shee shall take plum­mage in her liuing or training, By this time your Hawke will be ready for casting & it wil pre­uaile. and then to follow her in that kinde, *adding vnto the inke of a doue as much cleane washt flannell in quantitie, as may make her a reasonable casting, bearing this old prouerbe in your minde, that whereas washt meat and stones makes a hawke to flie: so great casting and long fasting maketh her to die, after as you shall find iust cause, and perceiue [Page 24] by her that shee hath neede, [...]iue not to our hawke great stones and many, but small & often, for such phisicke there is not anie. let her haue stones againe, and let her not be long without: but giue them after the foresaid order, which you shall bee sure to haue againe in the morning betime, and shall not bee enforced to tarrie for them: whereas otherwise to be giuen in the morning to such kinde of Hawkes, it breeds many inconueniences, of which I will wright more at large hereafter.

CHAP. VII. How you may know the nature and disposition of your Hawke, as well by the plume, as also by obseruation: and that being found, how to order and behaue your selfe towards them accordingly.

WHereas in my former rules I haue giuen notice of the variable disposition of Hawkes, though of one kinde and gene­ration: which as I haue shewed, must of euery Faulconer bee carefully sought for and found out in the time of their reclaiming and ma­king. The knowledge of which being once attained vnto, you must be very carefull to order and gouerne them according to the same,

For example, when you shall finde your hawke to grow sodenly familiar with you, and quickly, and lo­uingly reclaimed and inclined vnto you: as diligent­ly to listen and giue care to you, and to your voice, to learne spedily to come vnto you, and when she is com to seeme eager and hot to cease vpon that which you shall throw or giue vnto her, & be familiar with your selfe, without starting or staring about her, or other­wise [Page 25] to be coie or waiward: and when shee hath done your will vpon the ground close by you, then to looke vp for your fist, & willingly and redily to iump vnto the same. To such a Hawke may you with rea­son be kinde vnto; and let her finde the reward of her gentlenesse by the sweetnesse your fingers.

Most commonly these louing qualities are to bee founde in your blanke Hawks, for by experience I haue euer found them to be the kindest and louingst hawkes of all others: and I haue obserued that these kinde of hawkes are much subiect to a little bot, or grubworme, which doe breede in the guts, and will appeare in her mutes, crawling from forth the same, then shrinking on a heape, and so they die. These wormes aboun­ding may by medicine be corrected, but are not vtter­ly to be destroyed: for they by nature doe breede and increase in those kinde of Hawkes, and doe little harm, and that Hawke who hath them, is neuer bad in her kinde, vnlesse shee bee wronged by her keeper in the manner of her vsage. The colour of the worme while it liueth in a slight Faulcon is red, and in a Barbe­rie Faulcon it is white, but being dead it is white from them both.

There is a kinde of Hawke that you shall finde more sullen and dogged of disposition, not caring for you, nor your voice: but looking behinde her, or some o­ther waie when she should be lured and come to­wards you. This Hawke although you must of necessi­ty loue her, yet must you take good heede how you let her vnderstand the same; but deale with her accor­ding to her deserts, looking streightly vnto her: I meane in her feed, and manner of her diet: but other­wise outwardly in your behauiour towards her, that [Page 26] must be most louing and gentle, although you get no more then you doe wring and extort from her per­force. Therefore be sure to lessen her pride by orde­ring her diet with measure, and respect vnto the wea­ther, which falling-out milde and temperate, you need not feare to hold her downe, vntill you haue quarried her in such sort as is before appointed for a hawke of her condition: and so by degrees as you see her alter and amend her manners, so may you alter her diet, ad­ding to her strength with reasonable expeditiō, which will be quicklie gotten, if she be sound, and the wea­ther reasonable: but if the weather shall fall out to be violent and frostie, then you must beware and take heede how you abate much flesh, and especially how you kepe it off too long.

These kindes of aukeward quallities are for the most part found in your black and swarthie plumed Hawkes: for although there be many of them that be good mettelled Hawkes, and high fliers: yet are they also hard of ward, and very euill and vneasie to be re­claimed and brought in subiection. Therefore the greater care must be had of them, and of necessitie a straighter course be taken with them, then with other Hawkes, that be of a more milde and louing dispositi­on.

And whensoeuer you doe flie one of these hawkes, and haue no good successe in your flight faile not to take her downe vnto some liue thing, to draw & hold her loue vnto your selfe: for if she haue not her will and pleasure from you, she will assuredlie seeke it an other waie. Therefore it is a verie speciall and singu­lar good thing when your yong Hawke hath stooped foule, and failed to kill, then to haue a liue fowle ready [Page 27] to take her downe withall, although it be a tame one, yet let it be as neere the colour of the wilde fowle as you can, being sure to make it safe from strugling or striuing.

There is another kinde of plumed Hawks, between a blacke & a tawnie, as it were of a suddie colour, which be as great mettelled Hawks & as sprightfull as can flie. Also louing and kind of disposition, if they be wel and artificiallie reclaimed and made. And these kindes of Hawkes, being let in with another Hawke will bee pre­sently wonne with two or three quarries: if not, and that meanes be wanting, then must you take the grea­ter paines with them in training to make them Hawks of themselues, which they will quicklie be, after you haue made them to flie right and true vpon you, if you obserue and keep this ensuing order: They must want no strength when they haue not the assistance of an other Hawke, neither must their stomacke bee wanting to put them forward to performe their ser­uice. Then must you take a fit howre at euening when all check be past, with faire weather: for fowle wea­ther and check will breede offences diuers waies: then must you haue a smal couple of Fowle conueniently in a hollow brooke, where they may shroud themselues from you, and you from them: for great waters and manie Fowle cause too much toile for yong Hawkes, then throw off your Hawke as neere them as possible you may with conuenience, that you be not enforced to drawe your Hawke on her wing too far, nor tarrie too long beefore you shew the Fowle vnto her: for young Hawkes must not be suffered to flie too long at the first, but must be taught & brought vnto it by de­grees: then the place being for your purpose, if your [Page 28] Hawke will flie right, you may at the second stooping ouerthrow one of them, if she will come hard & close for such a Hawke as comes with vehemencie at the first doth more terrifie and amaze a fowle with once comming, then another that commeth coldly and with small courage shall doe in three or foure times. If you doe faile of your expectation, and that it bee not suddenlie effected, misse not to take her downe to a hand fowle, before she hath laboured and beaten her selfe out too much, and therein may you please her well and giue her great content. This course take with her so long as she is of her selfe, wanting the companie of another Hawke to helpe her, and so you shall bee sure to hold her still in loue: for there is nothing more hurtfull or displeasing to a yong Hawke, then at her first making to suffer her to toile, and make manie stoopings before she be serued. That breedeth dislike and causeth her to flie wide and careleslie, yea, and manie times to goe her waie in great displeasure.

There be other kinds of plumed Hawkes, and more then as yet I haue made mention of, but whatsoeuer they be or shall be, I hope I haue formerlie in this dis­course, prouided, shewed, and plainelie expressed, a se­uerall order or rule for their vsage, according as they shall be perceiued (and through the Faulconers skill) found to be in their seuerall natures and diuersitie of humors disposed and inclined.

CHAP. VIII. Here followes the manner of bathing your hawke.

HAuing here spokē particularly of the Hag­gard Faulcon gentle, & discoursed of her life as shee abideth and liueth wild in England, and as I haue shewed that amongst all o­ther birds and fowles, shee is a commander, so likewise haue I displaied and set forth the greatnesse of her courage, for the excellencie whereof shee deser­ueth to be called and accounted the Queene of all other hawkes, who hauing the whole circle of the earth, and compasse of the aire wherein to raunge, passe, and per­vse at her pleasure, yet being by the art and skil of man taken from the aire, it hath also beene taught how by your skill and industrie to abate (though not the hawti­nesse of her courage, for that remaines yet) the great­nesse of her wild and furious stomacke, and to alter and change the setled order and course of nature, and by your artfull endeauour to draw her as it were by con­straint and yet willinglie, to yeeld vnto you, and to your directions, being content to submit her selfe vnto your custodie, and inure her selfe to your companie with great boldnesse and familiaritie: and likewise how by diet, stones, and casting to prepare her sto­macke, whereby shee may be made fit to flie, and so to guide and rule her according to the course of her con­dition, during her flying time. Now it will not bee a­misse for mee to speake something concerning the or­der and manner of bathing and weathering your hag­gard, wherein I will brieflie shew you my aduise and counsell.

[Page 30]First as concerning bathing of your Haggard, I my selfe haue had verie few that would euer bathe at all, so long as they haue continued with me sound, but whensoeuer I haue proued them barefaced abroad, hauing fitted them with a reasonable Neither so little as hun­ger should prouoke them nor so much that superfluitie should pre­uent them. gorge for the purpose, they would be so displeasing to me with their vnrulinesse and extreame bateing, that before I could conuenientlie take them to my fist againe, I haue per­ceiued them to receiue more harme that way, then they would haue beene the better for their bathing: therefore when triall shall be made of anie such hawke, and that you find shee is not disposed thereunto, it shall be better for you to keepe her on your fist, The aire. then to wrong her to no end: for those kinde of hawkes al­though you labour them the first yeere truelie in their making, and haue by your diligence wrought them to your owne content, hauing made them so familiar, that they will sit abroad bare faced hard by you, when they are emptie, yet if you shall absent your selfe for triall, you shall find they will be vnquiet, and so distemper themselues, that when you shall appeare and come in­to their sight againe, they will striue and doe them­selues great harme: and surelie I had rather my owne hawke should flie two or three flights, being emptie, then shee should bate or striue once in her lease, her bo­die being full of meat. These kind of hawkes being fit­test for the riuer, and most commonlie flowne thereun­to, are oftentimes with killing Fowle drawne into the same, being wetted manie times with waters and raine, likewise the time of yeere being winter, wholie and sharplie inclined to cold and wet, all which are great impediments, and hindrances vnto the bathing of Haggards, and it is in vaine to offer it vnto them in [Page 31] that season; otherwise I haue obserued often that after two or three mewes, and towards their declining age, through extraordinarie actions of vntimelie heates or surfets, they haue desired and sought for bathing, and growne to more quietnesse abroad barefac't; which inclination in them will be easilie found and descried: then is it meet for you not to neglect occasion, but when the weather will permit you shew her the water, if shee doe bath, let her drie her selfe abroad, if it be faire and the weather temperat, otherwise let her haue the aire of the fire with measure, and come no more a­broad that day nor night, but set her vpon a verie warme pearch, and from the aire, otherwise it might be very hurtfull to the hawke, for indeed there would be no mixture of fire and aire both, in the drying of their hawke: for The hawke that is sound bathes sel­dome, yet is shee hot by nature, the hawke that is not sound baths often, being more then natu­rally hot by reason of her infirmitie. the one, it is naturall and kind, it drieth the feathers, tempereth and seasoneth the body and coo­leth the same, being hot by nature, but much hotter by distemperature, which appeareth by the bathing of some, The fire. and is proued by the not bathing of others whereby the difference between the sound hawke and the vnsound hawke is discerned. The other of necessity must needs be hurtfull, because in her first creation it is affirmed of her and al other fowles, that their residence and continuall aboade was allotted them in the aire, as a place and element most fit and correspondent to their naturall compositions: and therefore the fire be­ing their opposit element, cannot chuse but bee verie hurtfull, in regard it doth not onely drie the feathers of the hawke: but also pierceth into the bodie, and hea­teth it most vnnaturallie: therefore when it is vsed vp­on necessity there ought great heed to be taken, as I haue said before; for certainely it is neither good nor [Page 32] wholsome for your hawke, either wet or dry to receiue much heat from the fire.

Thus (for breuities sake) I omit to speake anie more of bathing these kind of hawkes, and doe referre the same to euery mans particular opinion, and generallie to the iudgement of all good and auncient Faulconers, whose long experienc't practise I would not draw with in the limits of prescription: but leaue them to vse their owne hawkes, as they through obseruation and iust oc­casion shall find it conuenient.

CHAP. IX. The manner how to weather your Hawke.

THus hauing spoken somewhat concerning the bathing of your Haggard, I will now speake some thing of her weathering, where you must note by the way that ma­ny Hawkes of the * same kinde, are taken out of the next very young, Fawlcons. whereby they doe altoge­ther forget their naturall dam that bred them, and be­take themselues to loue, and grow fond on them or him that doe foster or bring them vp, also there be o­thers of a more base and bastard kinde, that out of the same naure will very easily be brought to familiaritie with the man, not in the house onely, but also abroad, hooded or vnhooded, nay many of them will be more gentle and quiet when they are vnhooded, then when they are hooded, for if a man doe but stirre or speake in their hearing, they will crie and bate, as though they did desire to see the man: Likewise some of them being vnhooded, when they see the man will cowre and crie [Page 33] shewing thereby their exceeding fondnes and fawning loue towards him. These kind of hawkes may you doe with what you will, vsing them at your pleasure, hooded or vnhooded, Marke the difference betweene the Haggard & the Eyas. and while shee is in your hand shee will be alwaies best, and most quiet when shee is full gorged, and bare faced. These hawkes being vnseasoned in their bodies (by reason they are debarred not onely from the continuall benefit of the aire, but also from other natu­rall courses of feeding, flying, and the like exercises, which they vse in their youth, by which they become not onely strong, but also sound and perfect in their con­stitutions,) For want of the aire to coole and re­fresh them: together with conti­nuall exer­cise to keepe them in health. are much subiect vnto heat, and therefore much addicted to weathering and bathing, and almost will neuer refuse the water: which notwithstanding you must not impute to their vnsoundnesse, or euill disposi­tion of her body, (although there is, and euer will be some of them diseased) but vnto the alteration & change of their nature and kind, which by their bringing vp with the man, is much different from the nature of those that are nourished and fed by their dam.

For example, The Eyas. these kind of hawkes be all (for the most part) taken out of the nest very young, euen in their downe, from whence they are put into a close house, whereas they be alwaies fed, and familiarly brought vp by the man, vntill they be able to flie, when as the sum­mer approaching very suddenly, they are continued and trained vp in the same, the weather being alwaies warme and temperat: She knowes no other dam to feed her, nor no other means to releeue her. thus are they still inured to familiaritie with the man, so that of necessity they must be both fond and louing towards him, not knowing from whence be­sides to fetch their reliefe or sustenance. When the sum­mer is ended they be commonly put vp into a house a­gaine, or els kept in some warme place, for they cannot [Page 34] endure the cold wind to blow vpon them, which man­ner of education or bringing vp, doth make them to differ much in the naturall inclination of their bodies, from the Haggard, who as you shall heare is fostred after another fashion, therefore you may boldly set abroad these Hawkes vnhooded, as well to take the aire, (the be­nefit whereof cannot choose but giue a cooling comfort to their supernaturall imbred heats) but also in regard of their Which is bred with them. innated familiarity they will take no occasion to bate or striue, thereby to hurt themselues when they are full gorged. But leauing to speake any more of these kind of scratching Hawkes, that I did neuer loue should come too neere my fingers, and to returne vnto the cur­teous and faire conditioned Haggard Faulcon, whose gal­lent disposition I know not how to extoll, or praise so sufficiently as shee deserues.

Shee for the most part Eyrees and breeds on the tops of high rocks in the cold aire, where shee continues for a time, neuer setting eye nor seeing anie man, but there is nourished and brought vp by her naturall Dam, vntill such time as her feathers be at home, Because they should no longer deuoure her pray, which shee takes great paines to get, shee beates them away, or leads them into some strange country and looseth them her ioints & body strong, and able to reare her selfe from the stones and mountaines into the aire, where shee is entertained and tutured by her dam, and by her trained vp, and taught the way to pray for her selfe, which when the young ones haue learned, shee suffereth them to abide no lon­ger in that coast: but rebuketh and chaseth them out of that countrey, or els leadeth them her selfe into this or some other Countrey, (as we dailie see by experience) and there shee departeth from them. From that time for­ward they liue and continue wild, being forced to shift for themselues, by getting their liuing with their owne labour, which they doe continually both in wet and dry [Page 35] tasting and enduring of all times & seasons, calmes and stormes, their bodies being tempered and seasoned, with all sorts and changes of wind and weather.

Now must it needes bee that these kindes of Hawkes haue, and euermore will haue some wildnesse in them, which disposition, although I haue formerly shewd you how to alter and change, and to keepe them louing and familiar with you: yet that being wrought & effected by art you must beware that nature do not get the vp­per hand, or beare the greatest swaie, for if it doe, then your skill failes you, and your art deserues no commen­dation.

Therefore when you shall determine to frame your Haggard to the fashion and forme of your other hawkes (of which I haue already made mention) It will not be soe suddenly nor easily effected, as (it may be) you ex­pect: for if you desire to set her abroade vnhooded to weather her, as you doe your Eias, it will not be: for your Eias may be set abroade at any time of the daie, The Eias. yea and the better when her gorge is full: but as for your Haggard, you must take another course with her, for if you entende to weather her, you must do it in the morning, or else in the euening before she be fed: also you must remaine close by her, with meate cleane, & readie drest to take her to your fist withall: otherwise no sooner is her appetite sufficed with meate, but she being abroade vnhoodded sodainly forgets al her former sub­iection, and fales to striuing and bating to be gone, espe­cially she will bee most earnest and vnrulie when after you haue been absent she shall see you come sodenlie vnto her, which temeritie and wilde behauiour shewes, (for the time) your art is abandoned, considering shee had rather doe her selfe a mischiefe by bating and stri­uing, [Page 36] then she would willingly come into your hands againe. Now who for pittie to hurt and wrong this poore, louing, and kinde Bird, would set her abroad vnhooded, and alone by her selfe, knowing that nature hath a superioritie and working in her aboue art, wher­as she may be otherwise safely preserued, kept, and well weathered in her hood; which course I would wish all Faulconers to take in weathering their Haggards: for see­ing she desires no more but what she is vsed vnto, her standing hooded can doe her no harme, but is rather a meanes to preuent her bating & striuing by which her spirit and courage is taken awaie, with which in the eue­ning she should be able to performe her businesse.

CHAP. X. How to know the time of setting downe your Haggard, and when it is conuenient to leaue flying them.

IT is now a conuenient time for mee to speake somthing concerning the setting down of your Haggard Faulcon: for in re­gard the time of their flying, as somthing different: it will not be impertinent to my present purpose, to set down som needfull obserua­tions concerning the same.

About our Ladie daie in Lent is the time when these kindes of hawkes doe leaue these countries, and al other estranged places: and they doe begin to drawe togea­ther, and to dispose themselues thereunto a moneth be­fore that time. Wherefore then it will not be amisse ei­ther to set them downe, or else to be charie and carefull of those times you flie them in: for they will bee verie [Page 37] subiect and apt to be lost, on little or no cause at all. And as they differ in the eie of man, and their ages disagree: so is the one more subiect to be lost then the other, by reason of their difference. The deed of generation is the verie cause they leaue these countries for: where­by they are prouoked to repaire into those places of the world, that bee most fit and conuenient for them to breed in.

The old Haggard being taken there, or elsewhere, hauing formerlie bred and brought vp manie yong, must needs at that time beset downe, and fed vp with hot and bloodie meat, Somwhat before our Ladie day. because nature (hauing long had his course) prouokes her with greater violence to pre­pare herselfe vnto her kinde, with purpose to be gone: which course of nature, if you should restraine, and seeke by force to make her serue your turne, she would with a longing languishing desire, consume her selfe to naught.

The intermewed Haggard is more able and strong to resist the course of nature: because it is not so violent in her as in the former: yet is shee subiect to the same at that time of the yeare. Neuerthelesse you neede not scare the losse of her so much, in regard she is not mo­ued so much to increase her kinde, for want of yeares to increase the same: therefore you may bouldlie flie this hawke something longer then the other, and hold her subiect to your will.

The passenger soare-Faulcon is a more choice and ten­der hawke, Of the soare Hawke. by reason of her youth and tendernesse of age, and theref [...]re she must be more carefullie kept and better fed the [...] the other mewed hawkes, because they are more har [...] of ward; yet she will be as soone reclaimd and made a certaine hawke, and rather sooner then the [Page 38] other, if she be well vsed, and respectiuely handled. And in those places where flying may be had, shee may bee found longer by a moneth then anie of the other.

CHAP. II. Heere followeth certaine necessary instructions to bee obser­ued of euery Faulconer before he doth put his hawke into the Mew, which is a preparing or making readie of your Hawke for the same.

THus flying time being past, it will now bee conuenient to prepare your hawke for the Mew, for the performing whereof, this en­suing rules will not be found vnprofita­ble.

You must beware and take heede, at the first, (when you doe purpose and also begin to feede vp your hawke and couet to fill her full of flesh, that she be not her own caruer in her diet, nor that you doe giue vnto her no great gorge your selfe: for if you doe, it is ten to one she will ouerfeede and surfeit on the same, as you shall plainely perceiue if you will marke with obseruation that which followeth.

Whereas you haue perceiued that your hawke all her flying time hath continued with you sound and health­full: and by the mending of your hand a little towards her with good meane somthing more then ordinarie, she would alwaies thriue of her flesh, and increase in health to your liking: yet now at the setting downe, and time of rest, you doe (out of your loue, and to the intent to fill her full of flesh) giue her good meate, and full gor­ges euerie daie▪ for the space of a seauenight, or a fort­night [Page 63] togeather, it may be longer, and yet in all that time finde small amendement or none at all: this no doubt will make you wonder that your cost and care takes no greater effect, but that you finde your Hawke rather worse then better by it: for vnlesse you know the reason of it, it cannot choose but seeme strange vnto you. I haue had this question propounded vnto me diuerse times concerning Hawkes in this estate, which although I am well assured euerie good Faulconer of time and ex­periecne, can iudge sufficientlie, not onely of the cause, but also of the remedie, and how to preuent it: yet in regard there are manie keepers of Hawkes doe lack that knowledge, and for want thereof haue spoiled and sur­feited manie good hawkes: I will for their instructions speake more at large concerning this matter.

Whereas before during the time of her flying, your Hawke did by chance, now and then meete with some good meate more then ordinarie, as somtime the flesh of Fowle, or the like taken by her selfe; or otherwise be­stowed on her by you, in regard of her good deserts; vp­on the which it may bee you haue seene her feede haste­lie, or with greedinesse, and yet you haue not perceiued that she hath been the worse, but the better for the same. From whence you must vnderstand that she commonlie did win that with labour of her body, and the vse and ex­ercise of her wings, which was a great helpe and furthe­rance to her disgesture: besides the Faulconer (being ex­pert in his art) will out of his discretion, either in the morning, or at euening, after such extraordinarie feede, consider what danger it might procure, and so giue her stones to preuent the gathering or ingendering of anie superfluous glut or humor, which might thereby offend her, and so with diligent care continue a moderate and [Page 40] meane diet after.

But now you cease and leaue off from all those prac­tices and obseruations of the flying time, and your onlie pretence and purpose is to giue rest and good feed vnto your Hawke, to the end to raise and fill her full of flesh, whereby she may be made ready for the Mew. And to the'nent she should prosper and be brought to that per­fection, you doe at her first setting downe, giue her as much as she list to take into her gorge, thinking thereby to effect your purpose the sooner: but therein you shall soone finde that you haue deceiued your selfe, for your Hawke being newlie taken from flying, at which time you kept her with a good stomack and sparing diet, be­ing now suffered to take what she will, doth out of the heat and greedinesse of her stomacke, fill her selfe full vpon the sodaine, that for want of digesture, (which she must needes lack by reason of her continuall rest, (ha­uing no exercise, nor other meanes to procure the same) her sodaine fulnes doth so suffocate and stop the pooers which are then open, and other passages of nutriment, that she will be presently stunted by those obstructions, and not onely be forced to stand long at a staie, before she can be recouered, but many times she will languish & fal into manie surfets and diseases, by reason of the same.

Therefore to auoid these inconueniences, you must keepe your Hawke all the flying time as cleane as possi­ble you may, then at her setting downe keepe your won­ted course in feeding twice a daie, and as neer as you can with hot and bloodie meate, and no more in quanti­ty then you shall finde her well able to endure & put a­waie: and be sure to take heede of suffering her to glut her selfe too full at the first: and by vsing this order you shall finde that if she be sound, she will thriue of her flesh [Page 41] in a short space, which if you perceiue, that within the week or the fortnight she is amended, to your liking, thē may you be bold to begin to feed her once a day, and if it be possible let her haue yong pigeons at the first, be­cause it is a more moist and delicat feed, and easlier to be endued then any old feed: but if there be none of those to be had, then you must be content to take what you can get, neuerthelesse be sure that her first gorges of the last kind be reasonable and easie in quantity for a while, because at that time of the yeere, old feed is more drie and hard of disgesture then at other times, or then yong pigeons be.

Thus hauing vsed this course, and by your owne dis­cretion finding the time fit, to leaue feeding twice a day, also obseruing how shee likes and mends by her feeding once a day, how the eagernes of her stomacke doth abate, and according to these obseruations to rule and order her with art and discretion, you shall be sure to haue your hawke raised in her flesh, encreased and setled in her health, being thereby made readie and fit for the Mew, into which shee may be put shortlie after, and no doubt there continue safe and sound, while shee remaines there. Contrariwise if you doe put your hawke into the Mew; without anie such preparation, or while shee is abroad to suffer her to eat as much as shee will, or to giue her at one time a whole old doue, drie and tough, you shall find it wil suddenly put the soundest hawke that is vnto a stand, and by this onlie meanes, surfetted and spoiled manie a hawke: and there are verie few that scape which are so v­sed; and then it is imagined they haue taken some blowes or bruses in their flights, or haue beene wronged some o­ther way, when (indeed) theres no such matter, but euen are destroied by hastie extraordinarie feeding, and by su­perfluous [Page 42] and vnreasonable kindnes.

CHAP. XII. How to put your Hawke into the mew, and how to order her while shee remaines there.

When you doe take her forth. NOw will it be good time if your mew be readie to put your hawke into the same, and before you doe it, be sure that shee be free from mites and lice, which if shee be then infected with, may trouble and hinder her thriuing in the mew, by reason they will then growe and encrease vpon her: also it is necessarie that you take of her old iessis, and put her on a paire both new and strong that they may if it be possible continue and last vntill the time of her drawing; so that you be not at that time en­forced to hold her, and striue with her too long, because then when shee is in the prime of her grease, the least heat shee can take is all too much, and it may doe her great harme: also it is verie conuenient that your mew be kept alwaies sweet and cleane, with sweeping, for your Hawke will reioice in the pleasant aire, and otherwise will droop with the noisome sauors that will dailie possesse her in­ward parts and senses contrarie to her kind, which is al­waies to haue the benefit of fresh and sweet aire. Also you must be mindful to see and obserue Where it is said that you must obserue when your Hawke thriues you are admoni­shed to mark what vsage shee then hath for of this be sure, that vsage which maks your Hawke to thriue & prosper, is fitting and answerable to her na­ture, which when you haue found, be sure to continue it. when and how your Hawke doth thriue, and what estate shee standeth in, both by her casting and mutes, and anie other way by which you may discerne the same. Likewise you must not faile to let your hawke haue alwaies faire water stan­ding by her, which must be often shifted, and be sure ne­uer to let her be without stones lying by her in grauell, [Page 43] that although you haue taken her from her naturall li­bertie, and forced her to take a course contrarie to her disposition, whereby many offensiue causes may be bred in her; yet that shee may haue those meanes alwaies at hand, by which nature hath taught her to seeke a reme­die, by the taking and casting of which stones, you shall be much directed in the knowledge of her estate; and you must not faile to marke what stones shee casts eue­rie day, which you must gather vp, and then hauing wa­shed them lay them in the place fit for her to take againe. That meat which you doe kill for your Hawke with a peece, be sure to search, and cut out the blacke and bru­sed flesh, which proceeds of the gunpowder; for there is no gun, but after one shoote or two, (and especiallie in moist and wet weather) but sends forth the shot as black as incke, which I referre to your owne iudgement, whe­ther it can be either good or wholesome for any Hawke to take into her bodie, considering it is a thing so euill and contrarie to her kinde: and how is it possible that those Hawkes should escape and misse the same, that ne­uer haue their meat cleanly drest, but through the idle­nes of their Keeper, A good ca­ueat for all idle Faulco­ners. it is throwne into the mew feathers and all, without any care of cleansing, euen as it hath lien battered and ranckeled from the time it was killed: and yet I haue heard some of them say, that they neuer saw nor heard of any hawke that euer died by any such kind of feed, which speech doth not onely bewray their igno­rance, but also their negligence, and shewes that they ne­uer had the wit to obserue, nor the skill to preuent so great a danger. Notwithstanding it is too manifest that many excellent hawkes haue beene vtterlie destroied by such vndiscreet Keepers.

CHAP. XIII. How to take your hawke from the Mew, and how to inseame her and make her readie to flie.

WHen the time comes that you intend to draw your Hawke out of the mew, it doth behooue you at the doing therof to be very carefull, This course ought to bee taken with any Hawke, of what kind soeuer shee be. that you be not too long a striuing with her; whereby you should giue her a­nie cause of forcible motion of her bodie by ba [...]cing; strugling or the like, but with all possible expedition set her downe vpon a perch, to the end shee may there rest quietlie, til her anger and turbulent humor be asswaged, thereby to preuent and keepe her from takeing anie heat at all, and so let her sit amongst companie and in their hearing, without any occasion of disturbance so neere as you can. Then when you thinke it conuenient take her gentlie and fairelie vnto your fist, and carrie her vp and downe, stroaking her with a feather lightlie and gently, and if you doe perceiue her beginne to stirre, and grow vnquiet, set her downe againe, and thus vse her, vntill by degrees you haue drawne her to some reasona­ble familiaritie; which when you haue gained, and that shee will begin to feed, then giue her more carriage, and vse her vnto it more and more, and be sure still to keepe her as quiet as may be, and seeke by all meanes to pre­uent her bateing; for there is more danger in some one Hawke, that is to be reclaimed and inseamed from the Mew, then is in manie other Hawkes that haue beene newlie taken in England or from the cage, or anie other place whatsoeuer, for they that are newlie taken here in [Page 45] England, doe come from the labor of their bodies and ex­ercise of their wings, pare not fat (if I may terme it so) therefore they in their reclaiming and making cannot so suddenlie heat themselues by bating or otherwise, but they may be better preserued from anie hurt, and if it doe chance that they miscarrie thereby, yet may they then be more easilie cured. Likewise those that come from the cage, and were taken beyond the seas and haue been tossed and tumbled vp and downe, I doe heare few that buy them, complaine of their fatnes or ouermuch fulnesse, and therefore they are also so much the more from that danger, but that hawke which is mewed and kept therein by the man, shee is whollie restrained of her libertie, and kept vp in a narrow roome, where shee feeds with ease, and gets her fulnesse with sitting still, If your hawk come full from the mew giue her no ca­sting till the third weeke, many will thinke to haue their hawkes rea­dy to flie in that time, but manie times their hasty affecti­ons doe fru­strate and make void their unskil­full intenti­ons. so that there is no one crammed fowle or bird, that will be more fat and full then shee, and therefore no one of the other sort of hawks is in a quarter of that danger in their inseaming that shee is in, vnlesse shee be most carefullie kept, & curiouslie vsed vntill shee be through inseamed. Thus not fearing but this short admonition will be suffi­cient to euery carefull Fawlconer, concerning this one materiall and necessarie obseruation, I will proceed.

When you haue brought her to eat, you must feed her twice a day, and so order and diet her continuallie, and it must be with new and good meat, which you must dresse and wash cleane, wringing out the blood with faire wa­ter, that shee may the sooner come vnto a stomacke, and for the quantity thereof let it be as much as the wing of an old doue at once, or as you shall find her to put away the one meale, and make her selfe fit and ready for the o­ther: and for the first weeke, or ten daies after, shee begin to feed, giue her neither casting not stones; but the weeke [Page 46] after giue her halfe a dozen stones euerie night, after shee hath put away her supper from forth her gorge, You must take this course with any manner of long win­ged Hawke that is drawn from the mew. which you shal find she wil cast & render vnto you againe in the morning verie early. The third weeke approaching, you must giue her euery night a casting, still bearing in minde your former manner of diet or feed, which you must continue vntill your hawke be flying, and all her flying time, only adding vnto her meales somewhat in quanti­tie, and forbearing to wash altogether so hard, with re­spect to the hardnes or mildnes of the weather, and as your owne discretion shall lead and direct you in finding her to flie and grow subiect to your demaund my reasons for disposing of her vsage in these seuerall sorts are these.

The first weeke or somewhat more, shee wil be altoge­ther vnfit and vnready for stones, or casting, by reason of her ramagenes, beside shee will be possessed with fretting angrie humors, which will not so soone be wrought out of her: likewise if either of them should be giuen her, be­ing in her full pride of grease, shee may keepe them, and neuer cast them, as I haue (for a certaine truth) both seen and proued: otherwise shee may fall sicke with stirring or remoouing her grease too soone.

The second weeke by meanes of the Fawlconers skill and paines taken, the weeke before her anger and fret­ting will be somewhat asswaged, shee will be gentle to sit vnhooded, and will haue well emptied her bowels, and scowred forth some of her loose drosse and reliques of imperfection, and then shee will be fit to receiue stones, and apt to cast them againe.

This being effected the second weeke, then against the third weeke shee will be prepared with a reasonable sto­macke, to take her casting willingly, and not be curious to doe the like afterwards, which shee must haue euery [Page 47] night, Vntill your exercise be with labor you can nei­ther make her cleane, nor keepe her cleane. it may be as yet you shall not find by her casting, nor her mutes, much grease to come from her, nor that shee inseameth, nor yet reclaimeth according to your ex­pectation, yet let not that trouble you, but now prepare your selfe to lure her, and let her exercise and haue the benefit of her wings: Then trie with stones now and then to stir her againe, and as neere as you can by night; for I haue learned by experience that stones giuen once by night doe more good vnto a hawke, then twice by day, for speedie inseaming or remouing anie glut or euill humor, which the hawks bodie is subiect vnto: for in the morning, although shee haue need enough to keepe them, yet a greedie appetite (which naturallie shee hath at that time of the day) often times prouoks her to cast them before they haue halfe exercised there vertue and operation in her, so that shee receiueth little libertie or none at all by them: and contrariwise according to her necessity shee will sometimes keepe them all day and all night if you would suffer her, for you shall perceiue that shee will euen resolue as it were with her selfe so to doe by growing vnquiet, and by begging and crauing meat of her Keeper for her dinner, the stones being still in her; and in my conceit, who so suffers her not then to haue her will and desire; but striueth to contradict her, doth her much wrong, for if at the present shee haue hers, the next morning he shall haue his, I meane his stones with her health increased.

I haue obserued that most men can be well content to giue vnto their Hawke a peece of Flannell or Cotten, al­though foule and slurred, which being receiued into her body, shee finds it so farre differing from her naturall de­sire, as sometimes shee will cast it vp in the morning all blacke and tawnie, and sometimes with it meat vndige­sted, [Page 48] which sheweth how lothsome it is vnto her, especi­ally when it is giuen without perfect scowring and wash­ing, yet we neuer so much as dreame that this euer offen­deth any Hawke; but surely it doth either a sound hawke cleane, or an vnsound Hawke whether shee be foule or cleane. Therefore seeing it hath beene, is, and euer wil be giuen vnto Hawkes for casting. It is meet that you consi­der, and take notice how and when it is fittest and best to be giuen. First of all you must be sure that it be perfectly and well washed, and so kept, for there is no such thing, nor any other thing, that passeth into the body of the hawke; but the stomacke worketh and striueth by nature to digest it, as doe euidently appeare by the hard bones shee eateth, from whence it sucketh all the marrow, and other moisture, so doth it in like manner from the wool­len whatsoeuer is possible to be withdrawne, which is vnnaturall, and therefore must needs be vnwholesome: wherefore to giue it when your Hawke is inseaming, and foule in her grease, and that also broken in her, it is more tollerable; for then her stomacke is not so apt or incli­ned to sauor or tast it, (being then coied and pestered with grosse humors) as it will be after, when it is freed and cleansed from them: Also then it often times (through the annoyance of the hot & greasie sauor) doth prouoke your hawke to cast in the morning before her houre, or that shee hath perfectly endured her supper which will appeare and plainely shew in the tawnie co­lour of her casting vnwrapped, and the like colour and muddinesse of the water within it, therefore if there be no remedy but we must vse it, let it be as it is before ap­pointed; and when you giue the easiest and lightest sup­pers, and some plummage with it: but otherwise neuer vpon a great gorge: no not vnto the soundest hawke that [Page 49] is: also in a morning when your hawke makes a loose, and vnwrapped casting of plummage, it is good to giue a little knot with stones, to bring away loose or stragling feathers out of the pannell; or els at some other time with stones in the morning, and view the colour of it, whereby you may iudge the state of your hawkes bodie, for by it you shall gather and perceiue whether shee be hot and drie, or moist, and in good temper; or greasie, or cleane. If shee be hot and drie, the casting will be euen as it were scorched blacke, yet neuerthelesse it may be wrapped, and the water in it reasonable cleere, which if you find, let her haue no more casting of that kind; but in stead thereof giue her plummage, and shee will doe well so long as the water is so good: for it is nothing but her dislike of the vnkindnesse of the cotton: But there is more danger to be doubted, when as the casting appea­reth as I said before blackish and tawny, and no water, but a roaping froth in it, which sheweth and signifieth more heat and drought then in the other, yet if it be wrapped you need feare the lesse: and commonly this is found in such Hawkes, as are not made thorough clean at the first before they be flowne, but are hot often in that estate: neuerthelesse if shee be well ordered and carefully attended after, those imperfections will easily be wrought out of her, which to effect take this course. Giue her one weeks rest, and feed her with good meat, and easie gorges of the same: also giue her some very faire and cleane water with it, and cease for that week to giue her any casting at all, but euery night after shee hath put away her supper, giue her halfe a dozen small stones with the stumpe of a wing: then at the weeks end because you cannot proue her estate so well, by the colour of the casting of plummage, giue her a little supper, and after [Page 50] that is put away, wash her a flannell casting very well, and giue it her. Then if you doe find in the morning, that it is perfect, then you haue your desire, if not vse the same course againe, vntil you haue accomplisht your purpose, giuing her rest, and vsing her as hath beene shewed be­fore, and with this order rightly obserued, you shall not faile in a short time to recouer your Hawkes health, whereas otherwise death ensueth, as may plainely ap­peare to euery Faulconer of vnderstanding, if they doe but call to minde what discommodities haue followed their rash & hasty desires: for when they see their hawks begin to shrinke and droope on such occasions, will not be contented, nor cannot bridle their affections, staying till they haue restored and wrought their health by de­grees, which time and diligence would easily accom­plish, but most vndiscreetly will thinke by extraordinary courses to recouer them on the suddaine, and so whereas they should suddenly cure them, they quickly kill them: But let euery one (that of his owne experience knowes not a better remedy) vse the forementioned order, by which they shall not faile to obtaine their purpose (their Hawkes health and their own credit) which being attai­ned, and that you perceiue your hawke to be changed to your liking, There bee many sound Hawkes wil neuer brooke a woollen casting. leaue of to giue her any more vnnaturall ca­sting at all (but as I haue shewed sometimes for triall) and giue her onely casting of plummage, so shall you be sure (if shee haue no other deadly infirmity) to preserue and keepe her safe and in continuall case to doe her bu­sinesse according to your desire.

Now then to returne to speake of stones againe, and first as concerning the giuing of them by night, my rea­son why they should bee giuen more by night then by day are these, your Haggqads, & your coy & right Ramage [Page 51] Hawkes by kinde, It is not good to giue your Hawk stones at that time when yow know she wil be vnquiet. will not in that short time (spoken of before) be so well reclaimed, but that they will haue pride, and a stirring humor in them still, and especially in the morning after their night rest. Therefore for this one cause of their vnquietnesse, to which they are much addicted in the morning, and also for the time of their inseaming & reclaiming, the night is best: for then your Hawke is addicted quietlie to take her rest, without ba­ting, stirring, or straining of her bodie, being charged with stones. But some will say the night is too long, and that they doe ouer heat her: but by due obseruation I haue found; it is not soe, whensoeuer she hath neede and desireth or deserueth to haue them: for certaine it is I haue seene a Hawke in the time of her flying, that hath taken a dozen or more of stones her selfe in a morning, and hath kept halfe of them till the next morning. Also I haue knowne the same Hawke when they haue been giuen vnto her by the man at the same time, would not misse at her feeding time, or at the sight of meate to cast halfe of them, and keepe the rest till the next daie, which Hawke I haue recouered and brought to perfection, & orderlie casting, onely with a moderate diet, and stones giuen her in the night without anie trouble or distem­per vnto the Hawk at al, which otherwise she might haue receiued through bating, striuing, and such vnquietnes in the morning after her rest, all which most Hawkes of mettell and courage are subiect vnto at that time, which is often a great cause that Hawkes doe keepe their stones in the morning. All which doe manifestly proue that the night is best.

Also I haue seene Hawkes many a time (for want of orderlie gouernment) haue kept their stones the most part of a day, and some of them till the next daie, and [Page 52] not misse to doe the like whensoeuer they were giuen them in the morning. I had also one Hawke my selfe where now I dwel, which my master bought, and I recei­ued her with stones in her, which was made knowne vn­to me, and that it was her accustomed order to keepe them, or her casting, or both togeather, and that she did vse to flie with som stones & her casting in her. This p [...]e­vish custom I altered and quickly changed, and brought her to cast them all, and orderly, onely by keeping a steddie and carefull hand in the quality and quantity of her diet and feeding, not giuing her somtimes too little, and som times too much, but keeping and obseruing a meane, and especially vpon such occasions. It is the carefull feeding of your Hawke that makes her seruicea­ble: for there is no Hawke but will flie according as she is ordered and gouerned, as if her stomacke be right, she will flie with spirit, courage, and attention to the man, o­therwise if it be cold and dull, she will flie wilde and care­lessly, and on plaines and howses, all which is discom­mendable in a Hawke, and shews the Faulconer faileth of his art, and such occasions giue cause to any Hawke to cast at aduenture, and not at any certaine time. Also in curing of the foresaid Hawke, as I vsed a certainety in her diet: so also I haue euermore a care to feede very cleane, which is an other especiall note to bee marked by all Faulconers, for in so doeing, they shall be sure to keepe their Hawkes in temper and cleane: for thereby they cannot retain any superfluity of glut, or any other thing, which otherwise might hurt the stomacke, and breede sicknesse, in the bodie, and is a speciall cause to make them cast either stones or casting disorderlie, and out of course.

Another order which I tooke for this purpose, was [Page 53] that I continually vsed her vnto stones at night, & neuer failed to giue her few or manie euery night (with most conueniency for the number) vntill I had changed and altered her disordered kinde of casting, and fully accom­plisht my desire, which I the sooner brought to pas, by reason of this last practise of giuing her stones by night: and to proue that it is the best time to giue any Hawke stones in, but especially such as shall bee perceiued to haue the like neede, Her desire to the stones is known by her long keeping and de­taining thē. and * desireth them in that manner before rehersed, I will set downe one example more of mine owne experience.

I haue an other Hawke, which was a Haggard-slight-Faulcon, that when I came into the Mew with her din­ner, did cast vp som few stones at the sight of the meate, and when she had eaten vp the same, (being a yong Pige­on) she presently tooke aboue a dozen more, which she kept vntill the next day.

Likewise where now I liue, and in my time, there was a Tassell-gentle, that after hee had eaten a whole yong Pigeon, tooke presently 15, or 16. stones vnto the same, for proofe whereof I haue many of the best in Bletshoe howse to testifie the same) he also made it somthing late the next day before he did cast them, which apparently shewed that he naturally loued them, and that they did him good, and quickned his disgesture. These stones were euery morning after laid by him, being faire and cleane washt, which he neuer missed to take in a moneth togeather, yet at the sight of his meate, he would not faile to cast som or all of them, which is a common thing that may be marked in Hawkes, not only in the Mew, but also in their flying time, the which proueth that Hawkes may be by many occasions prouoked to cast those stones which are giuen them in the morning, be­fore [Page 54] they haue wrought to any purpose in them, and it was nothing else but that distempered and vntimely ca­sting, which made that Hawke continue so long before he could cure him selfe, whereas otherwise if he had been vndertaken by his keeper, and vsed vnto them at nights, though not so many at once, yet would he sooner haue bin cured. Also this aduiseth, that men should be so skil­full, and withall so carefull as to espie when their Hawks haue neede of stones, and then not to let slip opportu­nity from one time vnto an other, & to giue them now and then by chance as on the holy daie, or at times of best leisure, but they must applie them by daie or night con­tinually with discretion, vntill they be cured, and shall cast in due time. And whensoeuer you doe finde your Hawke to fit long in the morning before she doth cast, and in the end also doth keepe some of them still, then be sure to cease to leaue of quite in the morning, and vse her onely vnto them at night, and assure your selfe if she haue no other deadly infirmity in her, they will worke a true effect, and cause her to cast orderlie at all times, If she doth cast as she should doe, it must be within an howre and a halfe: if they be giuen in the morning: for if she doth not, either her health, or her gouernment are imperfect.

Also when your Hawke is in her best case, and prime of her flying, and as cleane as may be, yet then forget not (when you may conueniently) as specially after franke or good feede, or in time of rest, to giue stones with iudgement in her wants: for as they doe worke to cleanse & purge any thing that is bred in her stomacke: so likewise are they of operation to preuent any euill that is there to be ingendred or bred, if it be of substance to be wrought vpon: for indeede there is no such phi­sicke [Page 55] for a Hawke, as to giue her stones in due and neede­full time; and little doe yong Faulconers imagine how kindely their natures doe agree the one with the other. I heard one say that after a tedious flight flowne with his Hawke, hee would giue her stones to coole her withall, which act of his though I did well allow of, yet did I dis­allow of his opinion concerning their effects, for indeed he knew what he did in action, but not in operation: for no doubt he thought those stones with their cold­nesse would not only coole her for the present, He knew he gaue her stones, but he knew not their effects. but also that they onely wrought a cold effect, and so continued all the time she possest them, which opinion of his was altogeather vntrue, for if it were possible to haue such stones, they would doe no good at all: and because I know that many doe deceiue themselues and others in this respect, I will heere shew you my opinion concer­ning the same. First, although it is most certaine that after she doth cast her stones, and those ill humors as be­fore possest her shee is cooled, and the extreame heate (bred by reason of those superfluous humors) much al­laid, yet during the time that she enioyeth them, she is made more hot by them, and they by her: and for more confirmation of the same, let me aske you one question, wherefore doe you giue stones to that Hawke which you haue newly taken and drawne out of the Mew, and doe intend with reasonable expedition to make ready to be slowne? It is not in plaine termes to melt and waste that glut and fatnesse that she hath gathered, and is ingen­dred and growne in her pannell, with her full and franke feeding in the time of her rest and mewing and to make the same ready, and fit to passe away & scowre through her downeward in her mutes, as also to ascend and bee drawne and purged vpwards by the same stones, and her [Page 56] casting, that so she might be euacuated and emptied of those gurgitiue and stuffing humors, and be inseamed and made cleane and ready to be put to labour so much the sooner. If this be true? wherefore then should any man thinke that it is possible for stones with their coolenesse to worke a cooling effect at their instant being in the Hawke? or why should any man giue them for that purpose, seeking thereby to procure that, wher­of there is no neede? for there is no sounde Hawke gent­ly taken from the Mew, that is ouer hot, and moderately hot and cold, and in a meane temper, in respect of her naturall heat and coldnesse, vnles afterwards she be with ill vsage ouer heat and wronged. And also on that oc­casion, if the vertue of stones were present coldnesse it would hazard present death to giue them: for present heat and sodaine cold cannot agree togeather; and ther­fore although I doe not allow to giue them to some, af­ter drawing out of the Mew in the prime and extreamest fulnes of flesh, (for the reasons which I haue formerly alledged) yet in conuenient time after the same, as I haue aduised, and alwaies after long and tedious flights and toiling: for thereby you shall keep them in a temperate heate and preuent suddaine cooling, it will consume their grease, and remoue slime and glut, and by them the whole body will be brought into good temper, being possest with no other but naturall heate, with the like kindly coolnes: for as you may perceiue, your Hawke by nature and kinde is hot, as plainely appeareth to e­uery Faulconer. And by her long and tedious flights & labour, she is made more hot, all which heat if it should coole sodainely would no doubt bring her into no smal danger, but much more if the stones should likewise bee of a cold operation, she must needes by all these sodain [Page 57] contrarieties be brought to her death: but contrariwise stones do preuent the same: for they being by her heat made hot themselues, doe so continue in her, After a toi­ling flight at euening, if you mistrust either grese or vnclean­nes, let your Hawke haue time to plum & giue good blood for contentment but little meat or none set her vp warme, and giue stones so soone as may be. and by vertue of their heat doe not only keepe her temperate but also doe dissolue any superfluous humor incident to Hawkes already ingendered, & doe preuent the bree­ding of any other that may grow by reason of her long labour the sodaine cooling of her greace, or any other accident or chance whatsoeuer. All which being meanes to breede many imperfections in the stomacke (where­of ariseth heat, slime, and whitish froth appearing in the mouth of the Hawke) are by vertue of their heate cleane euacuated & forced from their receptacles, and places of abode, wherby the Hawk is afterwards cooled & brought into a temperate disposition of body. So that you see although the stones do yeeld a heating operation, while they remain in the Hawke, yet afterwards there is a coole effect wrought and produced by them.

Furthermore doe you of long practise and experience but remember; that whereas sometimes you haue percei­ued your Hawke by al signes and showes to be free from any extraordinary heat at all: neuerthelesse vpon your forbearance a while, before and after to giue stones: Then when you did giue them the next time, let me but aske you whether you haue seen your hawke oftentimes at her beginning to cast before the stones, in the mid'st, and at the end of them, euen to streane and gush out a­boundance of waterish and yellow greasie slime and glut from forth her body, or no? which as it is most true that euery obseruing Faulconer haue, or might haue seene so much; then must it necessarily follow that stones and the property of them being in the hawkes body, is first to heat and purge before they coole. I make no doubt when [Page 58] you gaue no stones, you failed not to giue casting euery night, but yet you perceiued not her glut to flow from her at any time, with her casting as with her stones, which sheweth that stones are phisical and cause her to purge vpwards and through her: Furthermore obserue this one thing, when you haue your hawke perfect cleane, doe but forbeare one weeke to giue her stones, and all that time you shall see her make perfect and cleane ca­stings, and though you proue her with casting of cotton, yet it will be cleane and white, then at the weeks end for triall of the property of stones, giue her halfe a dozen at night with a knot of flannel, or halfe a score in the mor­ning with the same; and you shall see the flannell will be yellow and greasy, which sheweth that the stones haue euen melted and dissolued that grease, which in that short time was bred and began to grow in her: all which doe apparantly proue that they doe neuer coole at the instant, but heat and purge that coldnesse may grow thereon.

Likewise if sloth and idlenesse with other mutabili­ties, did not (often times in some of the best of vs) crosse and preuent both our skill and diligence, but that wee might with cleane feed and stones keep our hawkes free from all vncleannes, they would neuer be ouerhot, nei­ther is it possible to ouerheat such a hawke with flying that is perfect cleane, and in breath; for if you should flie her out of reason, which is not meet, yet when shee is weary shee will goe to a stand and rest her, as the wilde Hawke is oftentimes compelled to doe, yet neuer trou­bled with heat so long as shee keepeth her selfe cleane. Therefore let me aduise you to be carefull euermore to keepe your hawkes cleane, for it is your suffering them to continue in their vncleannes, and for want of giuing [Page 59] them stones often enough to purge them withall, that causeth and prouoketh heat to grow and arise fuming in them: And this may suffice to confute the opinion of those that being asked wherefore they doe giue their hawke stones, and doe thinke the night is too long, doe answere that it is to coole them, and verily beleeue that they haue no other operation or working in them but to coole: but here by reason you may see how much they are deceiued, and how void of true vnderstanding this their opinion is: and of this be sure, Remember that a fat Hawke maks a leane horse, a wea­ry Faulconer & an empty purse: three discommodi­ties befitting euery man to beware of. The wild Hawke will sometimes attend. you shall find it an easier matter when your Hawke is cleane, so to keep her, then when shee is fowle to make her cleane. Therefore it is meet for euery man at the beginning to make his hawk perfectly cleane, and so to keep her without pampering, with great meales to make her sit, and seeme faire vpon the fist, for thereby doth sundry euils grow, besides diso­bedience towards her Keeper, which is the greatest euill of all: yet some men will seldome take any care at all, either to keepe their Hawkes cleane, or to haue them empty when they doe flie them; but doe presume that their loue to the man, fowle, and their owne mettell, will cause them to flye and kill without any stomacke at all, which I will not denie but by chance may so fall out, but assure your selfe it will not continue long: for there is no Hawke being put to labour, and forced to stretch and straine her wings, when her bowels be filled and charged with meat, but is in great danger of her life; and besides shee will neuer flie with regard and attention to her Keeper, because her stomacke is not perfect; which (as I haue formerly shewed you) is the principall gouer­nour of her in all her actions, for proofe whereof marke this in suing obseruation.

Take any younger Hawke out of the nest (though [Page 60] newly disclosed) and breed her vp as familiarlie as you can deuise: yet when you shall come afterwards to flye her, shee must be altogether guided and gouerned by her stomacke: yea shee will be kept and also lost by the same: for let her faile of that neuer so little, and euery puft of winde will blow her away from you; nay if there be no wind stirring, yet shee will wheele and sinke away from him and from his voice, that all the time before had lured and trained her vp. Contrariwise if it be his hap to find her againe, when shee is hungry, although shee would starue before shee would pray for her selfe, yet will shee then owne him or any other man; nay, shee will be ready to take his cap from him, before shee will leaue or loose him.

This shewes how much they doe deceiue themselues, that because their Hawke doth at some time by chance flie well and Kill, being full or vncleane, doe neuer after make any care to haue them empty or cleane when they are flowne: they doe not remember that the wild Hawke (as I haue formerly shewed) will sometimes attend, al­though with coy and straung behauiour: which strange­nes you will soone finde your manned and reclaimed Hawke to be possest withall. If you doe often vse to flie her without a perfect stomacke, of which I would wish you to be very carefull: for if there should not be a great difference to be discerned betwixt your Hawke and the wild Hawke, as well in their flying, as all other proper­ties of seruice and subiection: it would be an euident signe either of much negligence, or small skilfulnes in her Keeper: neither is there any pleasure or content to be receiued from that Hawke; which for want of good gouernment flieth wide or vncertaine, going as it were at passage, and stooping here and there without care or [Page 61] respect to her Keeper, as if shee were wild.

There is not any Faulconer can appoint, or iustly de­termine how long, or how short his flight shall be; but it may fall out longer or shorter then he expecteth, and it often happeneth to be longer then he lookes for, and euery such long and tedious flight, is vnto a full or an vn­cleane Hawke a bitter pill, which cannot well digest, whereas your cleane and perfect stomacck't Hawe, may fly her selfe weary, but neuer take harme. This obseruati­on many men lightly passe ouer without so much as one thought of these errors, of fulnes and vncleannes, which notwithstanding haue beene the bane of diuers good Hawkes.

CHAP. XIIII. How to know when your Hawk is not throughly in seamed, & how to preuent those euills that doe ensue by reason thereof.

WHen your Hawke is disposed to much bow­sing or drinking, it is not to be liked, but sheweth that her body is possest with heat, and is much distempered by the same, which heat may proceede of seuerall cau­ses, and through the discretion of the Faulconer, and his due obseruation the certainty thereof, & the cause from whence it proceedeth may be perceiued, as when shee is not made through cleane after the drawing, but is flown and put to labour in that case: then you shall see it ap­peare white in the mouth and throat of the Hawke, her breath tasting sowre, and strong withall.

When her inward parts be not cleansed cleane feed, casting, and stones, and her body in­seamed by other out­ward meansLikewise when she is put to flying, and toyled before [Page 62] she be through inseamed of her body, it causeth a more dangerous heat then the other, and you shall soone dis­cerne that by her continuall bowsing and drinking, and by the colour of her Mutes, which will be like vnto stale skimmed Milke, inclining to a blew & watched colour, but more thicke then milke when shee is kept from the water.

Also you shall perceiue them to be mingled with a curdeled matter, dipersed, and in shew white, which is a spice of the Cray, and the differences in these two cau­ses is this. Some man after he hath drawne his Hawke out of the Mew, and findes her to be fat and full, then for hast and desire he hath to see her on her wings, takes no reasonable time with her, that she may inseame inward­ly, and outwardly togeather (as I may terme it) but so­dainly with short and disorderly feede doth abate and take of the prime of her flesh, whereby, as that abateth, so doth the fatnesse generally in all parts of the bodie most certainly wast and consume away vnto a washie or waterish substance: but whatsoeuer he is that thus taketh away the flesh of his Hawke outwardly, and hath not the skill nor knowledge withall to purge and make cleane the intrals and inward parts, which be subiect to other bad and hurtful humors as well as fatnes, that ought also to be expelled and cleansed foorth, but doth put her to labour in that estate, which ingendreth and causeth heat extraordinarie in the stomaek, which will appeare in the mouth, throate, and other parts as I haue former­ly shewed.

Moreouer when as you shall draw a full Hawke, and haue not an especiall care to take sufficient time to in­seame her in the other parts and fleshlie substance of her body outwardly, as well as to purge and clense her with­in, [Page 63] you shall doe her as much wrong, for although the pannell wil be sat in the highest degree, hauing as it were a leafe of the like fatty substance within it, yet hath the Faulconer a meanes and direct course with cleane feed, casting, and stones continually to practise and worke withall, whereby (in a reasonable time) he may dissolue, stir, and remoue the grease, glut, or anie other imperfect humor the stomacke is subiect vnto. Yet, although in the viewe of your owne eye, and in your owne know­ledge, by her mutes, castings, and other signes, you doe perceiue that she is perfectly cleane in her inward parts, if you doe then suffer her to take any heate at all, it is as much as her life is worth: therefore take heede of it, & remember that the whole solid body is of greater sub­stance then the pannell is, and harboureth a great deale more fatnesse then it possible can doe: neither can it be inseamed nor that which is troublesom taken from it so soone nor by such meanes as the other may, but you must tarry for it, and giue it moderate labour in luring and training it easily and gently at the first to temper it withall, and so by degrees you shall well inseame her in all parts, and breath her: and with cleane and good feede keepe her full of flesh, and free from all diseases, & haue her ready and altogeather fit to doe you seruice.

By this you may plainely perceiue how much some men are deceiued in the inseaming and flying of their Hawkes, who thinke that so soone as they wil feede with a good stomacke, and make good castings, that then af­ter two or three times luring, The fruits of hastines. they may be bold to put them to seruice: but it is not so. And let them vnder­stand that most commonly hast and rashnes breed re­pentance: for there is no man that can make a Hawke that is drawne from the Mew) ready to be flowne vnder fiue or six weekes if she be a full Hawke: for if he doe, he [Page 64] deales not artificially with her, but shall hazard her great­ly, and what folly is it in that man that to couet and get one fortnight at the beginning, will endanger himselfe to loose all the latter end, and his Hawke for euer; for it is most certaine, and doth commonly fall out so: And al­though such Hawkes doe escape and liue that yeere, yet are they neuer worth any thing after: The sub­stance of the heart and of the liuer wil bee black, & the body in diuers places will haue white specks And if they so chance to die, you shall find that their greace was ouer-het: for it will lie baked blew to their sides, and other pla­ces of their body: and their heart and liuer will be hory; and the places where they lay, which will sufficiently te­stifie the nature of the griefe.

Therefore note thus much, that what shew of clean­nes soeuer you doe find in your Hawke, by her casting, mutes, or otherwise, although you haue taken neuer such paines with her, by casting, cleane feed, and stones, to purge and clense her inwardly: You must giue no such traines that may cause your Hawke to labor too much at the first. Neither must loose her before shee haue breath and lightnes. yet doe not beleeue that shee is perfectly inseamed, nor will not be, vntil shee doe come to the exercise of her wings and labour of her body, after which shee will breake greace, and by degrees inseame throughly: and be sure that her labor at first be not immoderat, for if it be it will ingender griefe; but it must be in a meane and moderat manner; Also you must giue her liberty by degrees to stirre her wings, and vse her body, that there may be no heat excessiuely taken, vntill shee be throughly inseamed, and then (as I haue shewed you) shee may be weary with flying, but shee will neuer take harme.

This may shew vnto him that is experienc't plainely, and giue instruction to the ignorant as truely, that the inward parts and bowels of the Hawke may (by the skill of man, and those meanes which art and nature hath pro­uided) be wrought and brought to perfection, before the [Page 65] body be answerable or ready, The inward parts and bowels may be purged & made cleane with washt meat, ca­sting, and stones. The whole and fleshly substance of her body must haue carriage on horsebacke, & on foot, & be laboured with luring and training to inseame it withall, & make it light before shee be flowne or put to hard labor. Measurable moisture is natural and kind for all Hawkes to haue. A good ob­seruation e­uermore to be mindfull to preserue health. and therefore as they in substance and kind be all one; so must they not be diui­ded by the Faulconer in his art and practise, but vsed and prepared (though by seuerall meanes) yet altogether as one: for otherwise one part or member may be made a preparatiue for destruction to all the rest.

CHAP. XV. How to auoid slime, glut, and the like imperfections in your Hawke.

WHereas all Hawkes are euermore subiect vn­to moist & watrish humors, ingendring & increasing in their inward parts, which hu­mors doe proceed, and are deriued partly from the element that raineth ouer them, or otherwise hath most mastery in them, which kind of glut or slime (being of the nature of water, and in tast altoge­ther waterish) is the chiefest thing that groweth and in­creaseth in her inward parts, and so long as it continues in a moderate and temperate quantity, it is naturall and good; but when it ouerfloweth and abounds too much, then it is bad and ingenders sicknes.

Therefore as the wild Hawke by nature doth know her remedy, and how to stay and correct the increasing of that humor, which if it were suffered to aboūd, would hurt and ouercharge her, therefore shee defers no time to preserue and keep her health; but euery day saith, or may say vnto her selfe, Phisician helpe thy selfe, or els thou must perish: and so shee detracts no time; but this day prouides for the next: And when shee feeds with the most greediest appetite, euen then shee remembers to [Page 66] day, that shee must purge to morrow. And therefore as shee eats no meat, whereof proceeds not something in­conuenient, that in time may hurt and annoy her sto­macke, so doth shee also neuer faile carefully and mode­ratly to take plummage with it, We ought to misse no time with our best indeuors. for casting to clense her selfe of some part thereof the next morning: thereby staying the superfluity and aboundance of that naturall moistnes, and glut, which would if it were not corrected staied and kept in order, breed, and cause to grow in her many infirmities.

Likewise this her example may giue aduice vnto all Faulconers, that when they haue taken these poore birds from their liberty, and as it were from themselues, into their owne custody: that then they be not sparing of their best indeuours towards them, but be alwaies dili­gent and watchfull to order and gouerne them accor­ding to their naturall kind, and inclination, vsing them louingly and kindly, and giuing them their dues rightly and in due time. For as whatsoeuer it be that is perfor­med in good order, and at conuenient seasons, is likely to prooue succesfull in the end: so that which is vnderta­ken rashly without order, Then wee should haue no need to vse any me­dicines at al and at a time vnfitting, seldome or neuer comes to good, nor deserues any commendati­on, but rather the indiscretion and folly of such hare-braind and witlesse attempters will be scorned at, and de­spised by euery vnderstanding and skilfull Faulconer. And to conclude this point, as there is nothing more hurtfull to mans life, then to follow the counsell of an vn­skilfull Phisician: so likewise there is nothing doth soo­ner cast away and destroy your Hawke, then to commit her to the custody of a Keeper that wants art and discre­tion:

I haue not hitherto set downe any thing which I haue [Page 67] receiued, either by aduice or instruction from any man this thirty yeares, but out of mine owne practise and ex­perience, neither out of any booke written or printed, although I neuer met with so vaine a one; but I could find in my selfe a will and desire to read it, though all my profit by it after, were to blesse me from being of his hu­mor that writ it: And so likewise shall I my selfe be con­tented to haue this my paines and labour perused, and by them more auncient and experienc't then my selfe, both censured and corrected.

Thus haue I written and discoursed of the Haggard Faulcon gentle. First of the manner of her life, or course of liuing, while shee is abroad in the open aire, either here in England, or els where, during the time of her wildnes, all which I haue spoken by that experience which I haue woon and attained vnto, not onely by serious obseruati­ons; but also by great and continuall labour and indu­strie, which I haue vsed in seeking to find and take them: And I haue likewise shewed you the meanes how to vse them at the instant: when by cunning and subteltie you haue beguiled and taken them: and how by skill and art euer after to order and gouerne them, changing (by your wit and watchfull diligence) their naturall timeritie and wildnes into loue and gentlenes. Further you haue been taught how you may by skill teach them to flye, and make them pliant and seruiceable for your vse and plea­sure.

And lastlie those (whose selfe conceits doe not hinder them from being rul'd by reason) may here be sufficient­lie instructed how to keep and maintaine them in health, without any medicine, scowring, or other inward appli­ments, vnlesse it be by such meanes and remedies, as na­ture and kind hath taught them for the helping and cu­ring [Page 68] of those griefes and infirmities which they are sub­iect vnto.

Notwithstanding, being certainely perswaded that these my friendlie admonitions, being grounded vpon the absolute truth, of vnfallible experience, will not rel­lish nor tast kindlie in the stomacke of many yong men; neither will it sincke into the heads of such, whose wor­king braines are neuer at quiet, till like vnto the experi­enc't Phisician, they haue tried conclusions, though it be with the losse of their poore patients liues. I doe intend therefore partlie for the satisfaction of such: but especi­allie for the helpe and instruction of all those, who shall haue Hawkes come into their hands, that by former bad vsage, are made subiect vnto manie infirmities, hereafter to set downe in the most exact manner my skill and ex­perience will permit, such and so many kinds of medi­cines and scowrings, as I haue found by mine owne pra­ctise (being produced to vse them by the foresaid occa­sions) haue wrought effectually in curing all diseases, in­cident to Hawkes inwardlie, together with a rehearsall of such accidentall imperfections, as I haue obserued to come and grow vpon a Hawke, with their seuerall reme­dies how to cure them outwardlie.

[Page 69]But before i doe proceed any further in the same; it will not bee amisse that I doe speake a little of one other kinde of Hawke in particular, and shew you of the excel­lency of her nature and disposition, and how shee ought to be ordered and gouerned according to the same.

CHAP. XVI. Of the Ger-Faulcon.

THe Ger-Faulcon is the Hawke I now intend to write on. A Bird stately, braue, and bewtifull to behold in the eye and iudge­ment of man: more strong and power­full then any other vsed Hawke, and ma­ny of them very bold, couragious, valiant, and very ven­terous, next vnto the slight Faulcon, of whose worthinesse I haue already sufficiently discoursed.

The Haggard of that kinde is most commendable, meetest to be accompted on, fittest to be dealt with all, and easiest to bee made for any pleasure that can bee thought vpon: for the which any of that kinde hath been vsed, and to reclaime and make her fit to bee set to the lure.

You must take the same course that I haue set downe for the Slight-Faulcon, being sure to make her very gen­tle and familiar with you, in the house and abroad, be­fore you enter, or set her to it, which with pains and gen­tle vsage will quickely bee gained; for they are for the most part very kinde and louing Hawkes, and will sud­denly bee reclaimed and made to loue the man. After which time that shee shall come to be lured loose, and to [Page 150] other things, then would she first of all be taught to come vnto the pelts of hennes, fowle, Hearnes, or any such like things so it be dead, for thereby she will not be ouer hot, or eager of it, neither must you suffer het to touch anie part of the flesh, to draw as yet her loue from your voice and your hand: but to spend onely her time on that in pluming: all this time you must be close by her, about her, and on your knees, vsing your voice vnto her, with her dinner or supper cleane drest, and washt, giuing still vnto her some part thereof in bits with your hand, that from thence onely she may be satisfied, and in that to be her whole delight, accounting the other in her foote but as a stand or means to stay her by you, while she receiues her full reward and welcome at your hands, and in vsing this course often vnto her, shee being a Hawke of neuer such strength and ablenesse to carry, it will in the end so reclaime and winne her to your selfe, that shee will quite forget the same: Shee will forget her ovvne strength. and after if you list to traine her with Doues she will not carry one feather from you, but drawe towards you, and euer desire to haue her content at your hand: for example, I my selfe did know one Ger-Faulcon that was as good as euer did flie to the Hearne; neuerthe­lesse whensoeuer shee did pull downe any one, her loue was so exceeding great to her keeper, that if he did come in to the fall, before the Hearne was dead, she would pre­sently forsake the quarry and flie to him for her reward, which he continually with great care and skill had giuen and vsed her vnto at her first making: so would shee doe; also although shee had killed it, and taken blood theron. This proueth what a speciall point it is in a Faulconer to take good time at the first making of any Hawke: for as she is made then, so shall he euer finde her after, and if shee be well made, she is twice made, nay she is euerla­stingly [Page 71] made, whereas contrariwise to post and hast for­ward to put her to some thing before she be well ready in all points to goe to any thing, it sheweth want of dis­cretion, want of skill, want of iudgement, and he what­soeuer he be that so doth and vseth, is no Faulconer: no, in plaine termes he is but a bungler. And let this one note (learn him to amend that error. But to returne, be­fore you doe spring her vp any Doues, it is meete you let her kill halfe a dozen at your Lure, close by your foot, hauing a paire of short Creyances at your Lure, for it may be at the first seeing the Doue to stirre and flutter she may come roistingly to twich or take it away, so far as she is a­ble, which if she should so doe, yet you haue a remedy to restraine her gently withall, so that there shall be no offence committed, but you shall haue your will, and she her will also, then ought you gently to get in to her, and as beforesaid with bits of meate clenly drest and bestow­ed on her, you shall please her at the full, and lure her to the fist againe. This kinde of order and course diligent­ly obserued and followed, will artificially reclaime the Haggard-Ger-Faulcon, and make her loue you, and ready for whatsoeuer you shall put her vnto, as to fly well, to kill Fowl, to make flying, to lay, and leaue beaten Fowles for other Hawkes: but as I take it the Hearne, and the stately flight, and mountie thereunto is the thing for the which these Hawkes are most accounted off, and desired in these daies, therefore as your entermewed Hawkes are coueted and sought for, for that purpose, and held to be of the most esteeme, as so they are in very deede, as espe­cially in respect of their age, for that they haue not then so strongly confirmed themselues in their loue and desire to any kind of prey more then other, nor so much as elder Hawkes haue done, But that they may be easi­ly [Page 72] reclaimed and taught to doe your will: Remember to be fauou­rable vnto them the first yeere of their ma­king, & euer after at the drawing, & take good time with them in the inseaming: for this is the only and speciall note to bee obser­ued in these kindes of Hawkes: for these times as yet haue euer shortned their liues and destroy­ed them so like­wise you ought to be so much the more careful of them, and take this course following with them, the first yeere of their making: for many of those Hawkes are often ouerthrowne at that time with rash and hasty dea­ling, and doe neuer liue to be drawn from the Mew, but if they doe escape, yet they are neuer after of power, nor able to clime to the mounty againe: therefore as I haue aduised you before, you ought not the first yeere to put them to any toile, but to traine them gent­ly with Hearns and such as you are sure cannot goe from them, nor cause them to take much labour before they doe master and enioy them: for these two causes the which you ought to vnderstand and obserue in all yong and aged Hawkes.

First for your yong Hawkes when as they are newly taken from the Aire, and also from their liberty, delicate and full feede, you ought not so suddainly and earnestly to alter their course of nature, but by degrees in their ordering and manner of vsage to gouern them so, that their labour may not be vnreasonable, or their diet ouer hard, vntill you haue once mewed them: for otherwise it is ten to one they will not hold out and last with you.

Likewise you ought to haue this consideration with you, and know that there are not any kindes of Hawkes seeke to winne their prey carelesly, & through disaduantage as they list, but altogeather through great labour and the best aduantage, and shee that is the best wild Hearnnor that euer flew, or flew sleare, and doth by nature prey and loue to feede on them in the time of her wildnesse, I say that by the same nature and kinde, euen she is taught to vnderstand and know the difference, and when she is fit and fin­deth [Page 73] the time, Betwen her aduantage and disad­uantage. she will omit no moment to take her best aduantage, whereas otherwise she will make no shew to see that thing she most and chiefely desireth: but content her selfe till better opportunity serueth: this order and course of hers will no way giue content or sa­tisfie our delights to flie vpon aduantage, and comming for her owne ease and safety: therefore it appeares that we must put her vpon a high pinne, and set on her a new edge, and without great heede in all points, a greater then she is in any sortable long to endure: if this be so in all yong Hawkes, then ought you to be most carefull of the yong Ger-Faulcon, whom you intend to make to the high mounty, and stately flight of the Hearne: for of your other flights, as to the brooke, or to the field, which you may also make her vnto, and a spe­ciall Hawke fot the same: you may order and mannage their time with length or shortnes at your pleasure, ac­cording to the ablenesse and estate of your Hawkes bo­dy, because your flights thereunto most commonly lie obscurely, and in safety vntill you list your selfe, and at your owne disposing.

But for your flight to the Hearne, it is wrought, flown, She ought therefore to haue her rights euery way. These kinde of Hawkes are more subiect to take their leaue through heat, then any other kinde. and maintained by the eie and view of the Hawke, and there can bee nothing in it ruled or disposed by the will of man either in the length, or shortnesse of the time, vn­till the strength, ablenesse, or vnablenesse of the Hawke, and her owne will concludeth the same. Thereafter as I haue said vnto you, if you will or would haue an excel­lent Hawke to the Hearn, of this kinde, and to continue with you long, deale with the entermewed Ger-Faulcon the first yeere, as I haue aduised you: play with her gent­ly, for that time, for they will not endure, nor are able to brooke such an edge and spurre, as ought to be put vnto [Page 74] them, to cause them maintain so long and laborsom a flight

Secondly, for the other olde or yong Hawke, whether she be: but if she be a fresh Haggard or there a­bouts she will bee so much the more able to abide some hardship, both in her diet and labour: Neuertheles at the first you know not whether she hath formerly disposed her selfe some other way, and setled her loue & desire on some other thing quite contrarie to your ex­pectation, and therefore you ought to be carefull at the first of these former obseruances, and allso to know that then nature must be changed, and she her selfe new made and framed to your will: for which cause you ought to be carefull of your course, and expert in your Art: for although nature presenteth the subiect, yet oftentimes Art doth, and must of necessity perfect the same.

And let me further aduise all yong men, that eyther are, or would be Faulconers, that they doe not dedicate or dispose themselues awry to other exercises, or variety of pleasures: for if they doe, they shall neuer bee expert in this curious art of Faulconry: therefore they must be no Table or Card players, or other kinde of gamesters, they must be no excessiue drinkers or Tobacco takers, but when their Hawkes be lowsie.

This time of making and flying being ended, then ought shee to be fed vp, and filled full of flesh by de­grees, and after the same manner as is before appointed in such a chapter of the slight Faulcon, and also mewed with attentiue and continuall carefull heed; whereas shee may euermore stand on sods or turues often shifted, that they doe not grow too hard and drie vnder them; but may remaine somewhat moist and soft: for they be verie [Page 75] heauie Hawkes, and subiect vnto infirmitie in the bot­tome of their feet, which is the cause it is not thought meet to put them into houses loose: which kinde and manner of muing is far better for them then the other: so that their pearches of stand may be well lined, and made soft for them, to fall and rest vpon: for there shee shall be at her owne disposing, as if shee list, to flie from place to place, shee may, and it will doe her much good to vse her selfe vnto it: Also shee may goe to the water if shee be disposed, and take stones at her pleasure. Shee may do all things at her owne likes, and shee can doe no­thing at the stocke when shee would, and is at your dis­posing: neither can you giue her that which is fitting to her owne contenting, but by guesse and imagination, wherein manie times we are alltogether deceiued.

But to returne to the place where I concluded, with the stocke there ought also great care to be taken, to haue speciall kufter hoods to cast easilie thorough, either plummage, bones, or stones, the which shee ought to haue verie often giuen vnto her, to purge and cleanse her, as also to preuent the ingendering or growing of too much glut and fatnes in her inward parts, which may be very hurtfull vnto her, and hazzard surfettings and her life. All this performed and her selfe preserued vntill she be mewed: then ought you at the least three weekes be­fore you doe take her to your fist: to inseame her with washt meat and stones; for then is the daunger, and the cause that doth shorten manie of their liues. For there is no man can make one of those Hawkes from the Mew, ready to be lured vnder six weekes at the least, but he shal hazzard her life, if shee take any heat at all: and contrari­wise to be carefull of that time, and these former courses set downe, they are as hard as the Lanner, and will last as [Page 76] long. And I my selfe haue knowne one of them an excel­lent Hearnor, and to continue her goodnes verie neere twentie yeares, or full out the time: which sheweth that it is the true care of the Faulconer, the right order and method in the managing of his busines in due time, that bringeth it to right perfection and causeth it to continue in the same: and for the further ordering of her from the Mew, and time of her rest till shee be ready to flie: And for your better instruction looke backe vnto the chapter of the slight Faulcon, whereas I haue written of the same matter and estate of her in that kind, and there you shall find a sufficient way and direct course to serue your turne with all. And if you be disposed to frame and make this bird to the riuer, there also you shall find a chapter to lead you the plaine path way to that delight, and giue you full content: For they are very singular and speciall Hawkes for that purpose.

CHAP. I. How to preuent and auoid many infirmities which Hawkes are subiect vnto when they are newly taken out of the Mew, with a true description of natures effectuall working, in keeping and maintaining health in all sound Hawkes.

WHen you do draw a fat or full Hawk out of the Mew, that proueth vnquiet in her inse­ming. Then may you easily breed in her many and diuers diseases. First by heating her in her grease, and by suddaine cold af­ter; which is the more dangerous if it be procured by spowting, or washing her with cold water, after shee hath bated and heat her selfe. Beware how you doe wash your Hawke newly drawn from the Mew.

Therefore when you haue such a Hawke, that you perceiue to be of a stirring bating humor, if you will needs wet or wash her, let it be done before shee doe bate or heat her selfe; for by that meanes you may keepe her [Page 78] quiet, and preuent her vnrulinesse. Also it is not good to make too much hast in the inseaming of such a Hawke, but to take reasonable leasure, and not to breake or dis­perse her grease too soone, fot that takes away her sto­macke, which prolongs and increases her vnquietnes, and being ouerheat by the same, it causeth her to cast disor­derly, and to keepe either stones or casting out of reason and due time. It will also cause her to loose her flesh, which will breed weakenes in her body: whereof com­meth the Crocke and diuers other diseases: and for any of them so taken while shee is in her greafe, there is no recouery to be expected, vnles by some extraordinary worke of art and nature shee chaunce to be cured.

Euery Faulconer shall find that it is an easier matter to preserue health in a sound Hawke, then to recouer it when it is decaied. And seeing it is knowne and certain­ly affirmed that the wild Hawke liues and continues ma­ny yeeres: it may be a question why we thinke it well, and are content if wee can keepe our Hawkes aliue but a few yeeres, and yet it cannot be denied but the wild Hawke, takes greater paines by farre then the reclaimed Hawke doth, for shee neuer eateth but shee sweateth, shee gets her liuing by her labour [...], and her wings are all the fingers shee hath to feed her fat withall. And for ought that I can perceiue, this is the cause that makes her liue so long, for whereas the reclaimed Hawke sits often at her ease, and feeds her selfe fat with that she neuer takes pains for, whose ease and idlenesse cannot chuse but breed ill humors, which doe no doubt surfet her body, and shor­ten her life. Besides shee is often times debarred from the benefit of the fresh and sweet aire, shee is fed many times with meat contrary to her constitution, shee is for­ced to participat of many [...]. occurrents which are oppo­site [Page 79] to the same: shee hath sometimes her flesh puft vp on the suddaine, and as quickly abated, all which being op­posite and contrary to nature, cannot choose but destroy nature: for where the qualities are different, there is a continuall strife, and where strife is continued, there must needs follow a victory to the one part, which brings a ruin to the other, so that these differences being continu­ed (vnto our reclaimed Hawkes) must needs cut the thred of their liues before their time. But on the contrary the wilde Hawke liues and keepes her selfe abroad in the o­pen aire, feeds on good meat, He is not sometimes very fat, and sometimes very leane, but most cō ­monly in a meane be­twixt both. Inmediostat virtus. and is her owne caruer at all times, takes and leaues what shee list without con­trole; shee hath no phisicall medicines: nor Apothecary scowrings giuen her: but with good feed shee keeps her selfe from being too leane, and with continual I exercise from being too fat. Thus for the most part shee remaines in a moderate estate of body, being seldome combred with contraries to impaire her health: and if at any time shee find her stomacke glutted or ouercharged, shee pre­sently repaires to the water, stones, or grauel, with which (together with the helpe and benefit of the aire and good diet) shee doth purge and recouer her Shee doth not as many Faulconers, do when they know their Hawke is diseased, de­lay the curing thereof from time to time▪ but she presently seekes to a­mend what shee finds a­misse. lately lost health.

For to speake plainely and in a word, Nature turnes Faulconer, and teaches her by these materials, and selfe sought helps, not onely how to preuent ensuing dan­gers, but also to cure those incumbrances which prece­dent mishap had caused her to fall into: and thus shee makes her selfe ready and fit, for her future labours. All these things doe we neuer thinke of, hauing taken them from their liberty, and made them subiect to our custo­die: we doe neuer remember [...]ame our courses accor­ding to their kinde: but w [...] [...]ough our disorder and vndirect courses, we have wrought their vnsoundnes, we [Page 80] forget to looke backe, or once to thinke vpon natures healthfull remedies, but as by meanes contrary to na­ture, we haue bred their diseases, so by as great contrari­eties, we thinke to cure them.

But if my counsell may preuaile, when you find your Hawke distempered in her estate, let the wild Hawkes pra­ctise be your president, and faile not to vse those phisicall appliments, by which, that skilfull Faulconer (Dame Na­ture) hath taught her to worke her owne welfare. That is, good meat, faire water, stones well ordered, and a mo­derat diet, as occasion requireth. For if these things will not cure the diseases incident to the stomacke of your Hawke by nature, then perswade your selfe all the vnna­turall medicines, and sophisticated potions, that you can procure will doe her no good.

CHAP. II. A president of the wild Hawkes practise, for the preseruing of her health, which is taken by obseruation while your Hawke is in the Mew.

WHat is the reason that many men doe neuer so much as thinke of natures course in the managing of these matters, which doe con­cerne the health of their Hawkes so neerely but when the date of their flying time is expired; whereas before they followed their owne cour­ses and affections, neuer thinking of the time to come, so now when they haue put her into the Mew, they take no further care while shee is there, nor doe not thinke there is either art to be vsed, or experience to be learned during that time. For although in her flying time any [Page 81] one, that hath either skill in the art, or loue to his Hawk, must needs find out and perceiue any thing that is amisse about her, because then shee is seldome from his fist, or out of his sight, and (yet it may be) knowes not how to re­medie those infirmities he finds. Yet when they haue once put them into the Mew, then they are commit­ted to the keeping of such a one (as if he can giue her meat once a day, and water once a week) is thought sufficient, which loose practise doth shew how much many men doe wrong both their Hawkes and themselues. For what­soeuer he is that hath attained so much skill, as in flying time to finde a fault, if he will diligently attend and ob­serue at due times, may in the Mew learne to mend a fault: for there he hath a patterne of the wild Hawkes practise; and as it were a looking glasse to behold and see how shee doth order and gouerne her selfe when shee is amisse: there he may marke how often and many daies together without ceasing shee will take stones, and goe to the water, and how sparing shee will be of her diet, ea­ting but little, and making choice of her feed, wherein shee must be assisted by the diligence of her Keeper, who must prouide meat of seuerall kinds for her, vntill shee hath her liking, and not to feed her with one kinde of meat, and because shee refuseth that, so to giue her ouer: likewise you must carefully marke what meat it is where­on your Hawke hath surfetted, or hath eaten so much of that shee is sicke with it: for shee will be sure to loth that & hate it during the time of her sicknesse; and it is not fit that you doe proffer it vnto her any more before shee be throughly recouered: for if you doe, and that shee chance to distast it againe, it is ten to one shee dies for it.

These things during the time of her mewing being carefully obserued, will affoord good instructions fitting [Page 82] for their kind: And vnto him that is ignorant, and wan­teth experience, it will being present vnderstanding, and make the way to further knowledge how shee should be ordered afterwards, when shee is drawne from thence.

CHAP. III. How to keepe and preserue your Hawke in health, without any scowrings, or medecines at all.

I Haue in times past bin of opinion my selfe, that if I might giue my Hawk a new deuised scowring, that it were not possi­ble she should die in a long time after. Al­though I had not so much vnderstanding as to know the true operation of anie one of those sim­ples it was compounded off, neither whether it went, nor which way it passed, but onely in at her mouth, and out with her mutes. And no doubt, at this day there be some of the same minde concerning the one, and of the like wisedome in respect of the other. Therefore I will not stand as yet to teach or instruct which way to make a scowring: for I think they are as common as they are vain, and vsed to little purpose & as many & diuers as (almost) a Hawke hath feathers, which they poore wret­ches finde to their vtter destruction. But heere I thinke it first fit to be considered what effects these scowrings doe worke when they are giuen, and in what parts of the Hawkes body they be contained, and what can be there harboured for them to purge or work vpon, wher­by any good or benefit should be procured to the Hawk by their meanes.

First when a scowring is giuen to anie Hawke, it is [Page 83] conuaied into the gorge, where it rests not, but passeth downe into the pannell, which is the stomacke; which place euery Faulconer of vnderstanding knoweth is emp­tied and made cleane euerie morning when she hath cast, but if by his obseruation of her casting he perceiues the contrarie by the foulenes and imperfectnes of the same: or that there is anie reliques, as stragling loose feathers, superfluitie of glut, or other impediments of her health remaining or left behinde: then hee hath her naturall phisicke ready, which is stones and faire water: Also if he be disposed, he may vse a little knot of faire white flannell, well, and cleane washt togeather with them to cleanse her with all, which flannell although it be vnna­turall, yet being wrapt close, it remaines firme in sub­stance, and being perfectly cleane, returneth againe with the stones in the same manner, remouing that which is bad, & leauing no cause of offence behinde to annoy the Hawke withall.

Now then seeing you doe sufficiently perceiue by ex­perience that the pannell which is the stomacke of the Hawke is thus far searcht into, and by the skill and dili­gence of the Faulconer carefullie kept and preserued, and euery daie curiouslie cleansed, what should any scow­ring doe there where there is no neede: or what effect can it worke vnlesse to take away her life that would faine liue, if her keeper would suffer her:

For you must note that when a scouring is giuen, and receiued by the Hawke into her body, then by her natu­rall heat that striues to digest it, it is forced to vse the vertue it hath, and doth drawe vnto it one humor or other, that it hath power ouer: for there is no medi­cine but it hath a certaine power (according to the ver­tue of the simples contained in it) to drawe something [Page 84] which is contained in the body of the Hawk. Now when this is giuen vnto a Hawke that is cleane, and hath no corrupt or superfluous humors, vpon which the force, and vigor of it may worke, then must it needes exercise the same vpon the blood & entrails of the Hawke, which it doth seeke, wast, and consume with such vnnaturall ve­hemencie, that it must needs put her whole body out of temper: therefore it is far vnfit to giue vnto your Hawk any medicine, vnles it be vpon extremity, and that there be manifest shew and peoofe of a deseruing cause.

But now let vs goe a little further to see and finde where and how this scowring which we giue our Hawke so often) may passe to preuaile better in any other part of the body then it hath done in the pannell, or stomacke already mentioned. The next admittance, or passage it hath from thence is into the small guttes, which place is ordered or disordered by the stomacke, which being go­uerned, and carefully preserued and kept in health, the other cannot lightly be distempered: for both health & sicknesse of that part depend vpon the estate of the sto­macke, and from thence especially doe grow all other an­noyances, either vpwards, or downewards: now if the guts bee furred or fraught with drosse, as with such as we tearme fellanders, or any such like imperfections, I doe allow they may easily bee scoured forth: but as I haue heard some affirme and say, that they could not onely giue a medicine to expell them from their places of being: but also with the same they will preuent the in­gendring or increasing againe: I am altogeather incre­dulous of it, and do know that no man in the world can maintaine it: for if the stomacke be in health, the bow­ells will be cleane and free from any such matter of im­perfection, especially in their flying time, when as they [Page 85] be fed cleane, and well ordered in their diet, nor are not clogged, nor cloyed with vnreasonable gorges, contrari­wise if the stomacke be imperfect, and that it doe not di­gest and indue well, then must needs sundry euills fol­lowe, and such as haue been named, and for curing ther­of with scowring it cannot bee, for they will growe and increase againe: But you must looke backe, and find out not only the Fellanders that are apparantly to be seene with the eye, but also the originall and principall cause, from whence they spring and proceede: for if by your iudgement and skill you doe not duely consider that; if you doe attaine to your desire, it is more by good lucke then any cunning at al: for the stomack is the place (as you haue heard, and may perceiue) that you must returne vnto and seeke to cure; for it is the coldnes and dulnesse of that onely, that causeth euill and imper­fect digesture. And although it bee neuer so sound and perfect, yet it may, on the sodaine, bee dulled and coo­led diuers wayes: as sometimes after great toile to giue vnreasonable gorges; also to feede frankely with colde and stale meat which her stomache abhorreth: Likewise, for want of stones in due time, to remaine and purge those grosse humours, which she hath bin suffered disor­derly to retaine for want of them.

Therefore, to preuent these, or such like infirmities before they doe come, you must be carefull of the sto­make, to feede it choicely, and to keepe it from any an­noiance, suffering nothing to come there by your good will but sweet and good meate, and such as the wilde Haggard doth take and rest to prolong her life with all, so shall you preserue your Hawke from the Fellanders, and all other inwarde diseases that Hawkes be most sub­iect vnto.

[Page 86]When you doe perceiue that your Hawke is sicke, and mourneth on the Fellanders (for so you may terme it verie fitly) she will be of a heauie cheare: and you shall also confirme the same by your owne viewe, in behol­ding them in her mutes, to shew and appeare in raw and fleshly threds and such like matter vndigested, then is it not fit for you so soone and rashlie to intend to scoure her, and by that meanes seeke to disburden her of them, which will sodainely after ingender and growe againe. For it is the rash and hastie humor of some men, that presseth them forwatd to vse such meanes for remedie, as serueth but for the present time, nor hardly then nei­ther; but rather by the vnnaturall effects of their scou­rings, their is left behind in the bodie of the Hawke some vnsauorie annoiance, whereby the stomacke is made more vnfit for quicke and perfect digesture then it was before. Contrariwise, if men would but tarrie a time conuenient, of all other diseases the Fellanders would be easily cured and soonest rid awaie, which to effect you must looke vnto the stomacke, and by orderly and clean feede, with the best meat you can get, seek to cleanse and make that perfect.

And faile not euerie night, instead of casting, to giue her halfe a dozen small stones out of faire water, which you shall finde will so worke, and in smal time so temper the stomacke, that it will bee made fit and brought to quicke and good disgesture, and the Fellanders will soone be rid awaie. Also, bee sure that you feed with good and light meate, such as is easie to be digested, and let it be hot and the quantie thereof reasonable.

And to proue that the Fellanders may be taken away without scowring, doe but remember whether the soun­dest Hawke in the world will not haue them, while shee is [Page 87] in the Mew, of which there is no question to be made: for it is most certaine that all Hawkes of that kind, will haue them with a continuance of rancke and franke feed. And whosoeuer shall obserue it, may often perceiue such a Hawke never cease taking stones and going to the water for a month together, besides keeping of sparing diet, ea­ting but little meat at once vntill shee hath purged and cleansed her body, and bowels againe. Also doe but call to minde whether (after her drawing out of the Mew) you haue not perceiued the Fellanders or other reliques of grose and drossie substance will not weare away in due time onely with good meat and stones, and a well orde­red diet, without the assistance or helpe of any scowring or medicine at all.

All this allowed and well considered of, I find no more reason why the one part of the Hawke should be scow­red with medicine any more then the other, considering they worke no such good effects as should moue vs to vse them, and that better remedies may be obtained and effected without them.

Whereas in this last discourse (touching the pannell of the Hawke which is her very stomacke) I haue shewed you that the other parts belonging vpwards and downe­wards, are gouerned and kept in health, and likewise sub­iect to infirmity by reason of the same; which appeareth more plainely by a prerogatiue power, which nature hath bestowed on it aboue the other parts, by which it is able to make a diuision of such mixtures, of things con­trary in kind contained in the same, which is either ta­ken by her selfe, or giuen vnto her by others; suffering the principall substance to passe for the nourishment of her body; and with-holding that which is hurtfull, working and drawing it together into a little knot or bundle, very [Page 88] curiously inclosing all things within it, and not leauing so much behind as the least feather, corne, or graine of seed shee taketh into it, all which shee then returnes back by casting it into open view, in which is to be discerned the signes of health or griefe to ensue.

Therefore if the stomacke of your Hawke be imper­fect, it is ten to one all the parts both vpward and down­ward, will be annoied and grieued by the same. If the parts downeward be grieued, you shall perceiue it by her mutes in that manner which I haue formerly expressed. If the vpper parrs be distempered you shall perceiue it by her heat appearing in her mouth and throate, which will be more apparant by her stirring and flying, and will ap­peare and shew it selfe in white and curdeled froth, which will be drawne into the wind pipe, and cleaue or sticke to any other place, if it be not corrected in time, before it begin to doe so, which may easily be done in that man­ner, which shall be shewed hereafter.

CHAP. IIII. How to helpe and recouer a Hawke that doth cast her stones disorderly, and to bring her to cast them in dew time.

WHen you haue a Hawke that is slow to cast her stones, and will keepe them longer then shee should, you must be very carefull in her vsage, and especially to keepe her full of flesh and strong: for as you doe seeke to breake her of that bad custome, shee will be subiect to some hard and rough dealing. The cause thereof pro­ceeds many times of heats taken in their grease before they be inseamed, and present cold after it. Also at other [Page 89] times by their bad vsage, and by diuers infirmities inci­dent to the bodies of Hawkes this ill propertie is caught and caused.

Now for the recouery thereof, you must vse stones out of faire water, and them to be giuen at due times and often: But whatsoeuer he is that thinks, by this course, to cure his Hawkes infirmitie he must not giue them in the morning, for if hee doe hee shall be constrained to tarrie so long for the casting of them, as she will loose her flesh with fasting, and hee shall be forced to desist from practice, and then will hee be further from his remedie then he was at the first And to prouoke her to cast them by anie meanes, speedily before she is willing, is in vaine, for then you do but hinder and wrong her: for shee will soone do the like againe, and to practice that course of­ten will make an end of her. For the stones being kinde and naturall (as euerie man may vnderstand) there is no Hawke will take them her selfe but when she hath need: And as she hath need of them, more or lesse, euen so she will keepe and detaine them, for they doe agree with her nature and kinde, and she loues them as may appeare by her taking them her selfe, and keeping them so long. I doe not perswade you to giue stones to any Hawke, that being sicke, or ill disposed, is thereby so weakned, that she is not able to returne them backe from whence shee had them (neither will any such Hawke of her selfe take them) but vnto a strong Hawke. And when you do per­ceiue her to keepe them as she loues them, and somwhat longer then you desire shee should doe, then to content your minde, you do presently deuise to giue her some­thing that may compell her by force to cast them: or it may be you will first shew her some liue or dead thing to prouoke her thereunto, and if that will not serue; al­though [Page 90] you may perceiue thereby that shee desires to keep them: yet will you not rest but assaie further with Selandine, or such like, to prouoke her to it, which shee abhorreth, and the vnnaturall lust thereof doth so much offend her, that shee is inforced to cast vp, as well that which she would haue kept and loued, as that which was contrary to her kind and therefore hated, which course is very vnfitting to be held with such a Hawke, as you doe finde disposed to keepe her stones very long, for it will take no effect with her but onely for the present time. Therefore if you will needes vse it, it were fitter to be gi­uen to such a Hawke as doth cast orderly, thereby some­times to purge her selfe of superfluous glut on the so­daine, which you suspected, or may finde her stomacke to be cloied withall, through your owne, or others neg­lect, or forbearance to giue stones.

But for the other slow casting Hawke she will not be cured on the sodaine, but it must be wrought with prac­tice and by degrees. Therfore when you shall haue such a Hawke, and that you shall (notwithstanding the coun­cell which I haue giuen to the contrarie) resolue to deale with her from her recouerie in the morning, it is your best course not to giue her many stones at one time; nei­ther let them be of the biggest, but about eight or nine of the smallest that Falconers doe vse to giue their Hawkes: and then if she do cast anie of them within two howres, let her fast no longer, but feed her on the rest. Also, if she cast none of them by that time, yet giue her her dinner, and also her supper at night; yet I haue seene a Hawke that hath cast them between her dinner and her supper; but howsoeuer, two to one, she will cast either all or the most part of them the next morning, and ther­fore let her not fast long before you feed her at any time. [Page 91] And by folowing this course, you shall finde that in the end it will recouer her, and bring her to cast in due time. And thus much haue I written for their sakes that think the night too long, and are wilfully humored to giue stones in the morning to such Hawkes.

Neuerthelesse, for those that are not so much selfe-will'd, or setled in their owne conceits; let me withdraw them from the day, and perswade them that the night is best to deale with such a Hawke: and it offers me occasi­on of disquiet, or distemper vnto her, as the morning doth, but quietnes and rest, and therein shee hath the length of time to receiue the true operation and vertue of the stones. Diuerse other reasons I could shewe and alleadge, but they are needlesse; because in the forepart of this book I haue written more at large vpon the same occasion.

CHAP. V. Aduertisement touching scowring and purgation.

EVery Falconer ought to bee most careful, to take speciall note of the estate of that hawke, the which hee doth determine and dispose himselfe to giue a scowring vnto; and also, that he do compose and make the same, ac­cording vnto her necessity, the strength and ablenes of her body, and thereafter to bestowe it on her: also, it is as requisite that he do rightly vnderstand, at what time it is best and fittest to be giuen. For so far as I haue euer perceiued, it hath been the opinion of most men, and thought the best course vpon any occasion, or vnto anie Hawke, of what estate soeuer, to purge and scowre her in [Page 92] the morning, which order sometimes, and in some hawks may be amended: as it cannot bee chosen, but those Hawkes that are brought and come from the cage, or o­ther places whereas they haue been fedde continually, with base and vilde meate, must needes haue all sorts of imperfections abounding in them: Wherefore then for such Hawkes it will not be amisse, if the Faulconer will not stay the time and benefit thereof, by his best inde­uour and practice, with good meate cleane drest, faire water, casting, and stones, to purge and cleanse her with all; then to giue her a thorough scowring, and such a one as I shall appoint and set downe hereafter, and at what time, and in that manner as I shall declare and shewe you.

CHAP. VI. To prepare your strong Hawke, and make her fit to be purged.

IT is meete you labour your strong, and full Hawke with carriage, with cleane feede, with stones and casting, at the least viij daies to stir her body and make it fit to be scoured; then you must feed the same Hawke in the morning, and in that man­ner that shee may be thorough emptie, by eight of the clocke at night.

Also you must be sure that you giue neither bones nor feathers, nor any other thing, but onely good and cleane meat: then before you goe to bed, giue her the scowring, and set her vp very warme all night: for otherwise shee may take great cold by meanes of her emptines, and pur­ging medicine: Then must you haue a water readily pro­uided [Page 93] and made in this sort. Take a pint of faire running water put into a glasse, whereunto you must put halfe a dozen brused cloues▪ as many thin slices of licorish, and a little browne sugger candy: then must you rise betimes in the morning, and with a spoonefull or two of this wa­ter giue her stones altogether, and when shee hath cast them againe, giue her her breakefast of good meat, with reason in the quantity; for she wil be perfectly freed from the scowring, and will be ready for the same: For be­twixt the stones and the sweet and comfortable water, shee will be purged vpward and downeward, from al an­noiance of the vnnaturall vnsauory medicine, and her meat will agree so much the better with her. This water is sufficient of it selfe without any other medicine, being giuen with meat to nourish and procure health in any poore Hawke, that hath not her deadly wound. And so much of the ordering and scowring any Hawke, that is strong and able of body to abide and indure the same.

CHAP. VII. How to order your Hawke that shall be found to be weake, and vnable to abide, or indure any hard or violent dealing, by medicine or scowring.

IT is strange that any Faulconer should haue in his hand a Hawke full of flesh, any conti­nuance of time, and that then shee should be found to be both bare of her flesh, weak and also fowle within: it cannot be, vnlesse in such a Hawke wherein no hope of life is to be expe­cted: but is plainely perceiued to be vnsound and rot­ten. Therefore it must needs appeare that such Hawkes [Page 94] hath beene euel [...]y ordered, and continued in vncleane and vnskilfull keeping; wherefore perceiuing their po­uerty to pinch them, it behoues you to deale more gent­ly with them, then with the other: and to prepare a gen­tle and easie scowring according to their poore estate, and such a one as I shal shew you hereafter: And appoint to be giuen vnto such a Hawke on the like occasion. And whereas you disposed your selfe formerly, and prepared for the night: so contrariwise you must doe for the mor­ning; because your sickely Hawke will not be able to brooke and endure a cold winters night, to sit empty in; but it will hazzard her life: therefore you must feed her ouer night, with the best meat you can get, that shee may put it kindly away, and be empty betimes in the mor­ning: and then giue her the scowring as earely as may be, and set her on a hot brick wrapped in a double woollen cloath, and so keepe her at the least three houres, or vntil shee craueth for her meat; when as you must giue her a little, and often of the best hot meat you can get, and ne­uer without some of the aforesaid water with it, and so order and diet her, with good and nourishing feed, and continuall warmth, vntill shee bee able to returne to her accustomed diet againe.

CHAP. VIII. A scowring to be giuen vnto any Hawke that is full of flesh and strong, and is perceiued to be imperfect, and vncleane within.

TAke a quarter of a pound of fresh butter and put vnto it a sawcer full of white vineger, and boile them with a soft fire, and also cla­rifie and skim it well, then put into it three or foure brused cloues, one branch of rew, one branch of wormewood, one flash or two of saffron, and a pretty peece of suger candy. Then boile al these to­gether a good space: and when you haue so done, take out the rew, the wormewood, the cloues and the saffron, then when it is cold dreane away what is left of the vine­ger, and of the remainder make you pellets, which being roled vp in browne suger candy, giue two of them as big as reasonable Acornes vnto your Hawke, after that man­ner and at such time as I haue shewed you before, If you feare any bruse you may ad a ilttle mummy. and if you find not this medicine to be of sufficient force in the working: then the next time take of allowes the quantity of a fetch vnwashed, and of the clearest and purest in shew and conuay it very curiously into the midest of a pellet, and so giue it vnto your Hawke, and it will passe gently away with the rest, and purge downeward to your liking, This scowring is good to be giuen vnto any Hawke, that hath beene continued in foule and disordered feed, and hath surfetted on the same: for it strengtheneth the heart and purgeth humors from the stomack, and mightily re­fresheth the same, and bowels after large feeding, it kil­leth wormes in the body, and resisteth rottennesse, also t [Page 96] greatly respecteth the head.

CHAP. IX. Another scowring to be giuen vnto a Hawke that is but in a resonable estate of body, and is perceiued to bee vncleane and fowle within.

Take forth the rosemary the cloues & the mace whē they are boiled, & then after when it is almost cold put in the powder of rew. TAke a quantity of fresh butter, and be sure it be perfect sweet, and boile it ouer a chafing-dish by it selfe, and skim it well, then put into it two or three branches of rosemary, two or three cloues, a little mace, a little saf­fron in powder, and a pretty peece of browne suger can­dy: then boile all these together againe a good space: and in the cooling put in a little of the powder of rew, and mingle them all well together. Then take forth the rose­mary and the cloues, and when you would vse it role it vp with suger candy into pellets, You may giue some a­loes by it selfe hansomly convaied into a bit of meat, that it be not tasted till it be in the stomacke and it is a very good thing, but o­therwaies I haue knowne it to kill di­uers Hawks. and feare not to giue one or two of them vnto your weake and impouerished Hawke in the morning betimes, and in that manner as I haue appointed before for the same, and also for the manner of her diet and feeding, when her houre is come, and if you doe thinke, or assuredly find that this scowring is not of force to worke your will, then take of Alowes washed, as much in quantity as of the other vnwashed, and conuay it into the midst of a pellet, and so bestow it on your Hawke: for although being washed it is not so violent in the scowring: yet is it meet for your crasie Hawke and is of operation and vertue to strengthen her stomacke the more. Also it is an enemy to all putrifacti­on, and defendeth the body from corruption: this scow­ring is good to purge gently, it strengtheneth the heart [Page 97] and concocteth raw humors of the stomacke, it preser­ueth the lights, and remoueth obstructions or stoppings, and suddainely breedeth health and lustinesse.

CHAP. X. Another excellent scowring to bee giuen vnto any Hawke of any kinde, high or low, or of what estate soeuer, that is per­ceiued to haue infirmity within her inward parts, also for any cold, or stuffing in the head.

TAke a good quantity of fresh butter, well boiled and clarified, and then well washed in the best rosewater, and there close kept and preserued vntill you haue occasion to vse it, when as you must take it forth and put into it the powder of halfe a dozen cloues, the powder of two or three chewdes of saffron, and as much of the powder of rew, as the shales of one small nut will con­taine: then temper and mingle them all very well toge­ther, with good store of browne sugercandy, and so keep it close in a boxe vntill you haue need to vse it: and then if you be disposed you may giue your Hawke very often of it in pellets, without offence or feare, and feed her within an houre or lesse after it: for I haue had Hawkes both long winged and short, that would haue eat it very eagerly with their meat, and it would presently make them very full, hawtie and proud. This scowring sweetly perfumeth the body, it wasteth and consumeth winde, it openeth and purgeth the head, it makes humors fit to passe away; it comforteth the heart and stomacke: it is good for difficulty of breathing, shortnesse of breath, which proceeds of cold, and it is a good remedy against [Page 98] the pantas or the stopping of the lights or longs, and it is also a present remedy for the cray.

CHAP. XI. An excellent scowring to giue vnto a full Hawke, after shee hath beene lured and her grease heat and stirred in her be­fore shee be thorowly inseamed.

TAke the powder of rosemarie, the powder of box leaues of equall portions, and a lit­tle of the powder of horehound, and mingle them all very well together with sweet clarified butter, and browne suger-candy, and giue a pellet or two of the same vnto your Hawke at night as you haue beene directed, and this will purge and scowre the pannell, and other inward parts of grease, and all other loose humors, and your Hawke shall insearne to your liking without any danger.

CHAP. XII. Signes of inward sicknesse and the cure.

WHen you doe perceiue your Hawke to sit broodely and crowching, with her fea­thers displaied and open, and withall doe as it were start or ierke with her legge or foot, as sometimes a Hawk will doe when shee is touched on her pannell with ones hand or finger, then may you be sure that shee is not well in her body, and that shee is either troubled with wormes, or els with some other inward griping, or gnawing, which may pro­ceed and grow of a cold cause: and for remedy of either [Page 99] or both infirmities, you must omit no time to giue her some garlicke at the night time, and vse her vnto it two or three times in the weeke, and alwaies on the morning misse not to proffer her water in a dish, or porringer, wherein is a slice of rubarbe infused: and this will most assuredly cure and amend her: also if you doe apparant­lie perceiue that shee is troubled with the cold in her head, take a little of the iuice of sage-leaues being stam­ped and strained, and put into her nares with a straw, and it will amend her in that place: for it is speciall good for the head and braine, and being conuaied into the nares, it draweth downe slime and all other corrupt humors out of the head.

Whereas I haue heretofore shewed you how behoue­full it is for euerie Faulconer, that as he hath right know­ledge and true vnderstanding of his Hawkes, from other mens. So also that he should thorough his diligent and due obseruation learne to be as cunning and skilfull in the diuersity of their sundrie natures and disposition, and thereafter to guide and rule them: and also for that they are birds subiect vnto sundrie accidents and euils, it is meet they should be as exquisit and skilfull to know one griefe or sicknesse or other infirmitie one from ano­ther, and accordingly to giue and applie by sundry means a remedie: and not to seeme or imitate the order and me­thod of the quack-saluar or mountibancke, that hath but one poore medicine in his budget, for euery maladie. Therefore as I haue alreadie here set downe some few scowrings, or medicines wholsome, medicinable, and by proofe and experience are tollerable, and fit to be giuen vnto Hawkes on iust occasion. I haue also shewed you the vertue and operation of such simples as are contained in them, and will further hereafter, instruct you of them particularly, and of euery ones temperature and vertue, [Page 100] to the end that out of these already written, or any other that I shall wright hereafter, you may with iudgement & discretion easily deuide, adde, or take from, whatsoeuer how much or little, and for what griefe soeuer to serue your turne, and giue instruction to those that wants the same, according as there shall be found and perceiued a­ny needfull occasion more or lesse, as touching the na­ture of the griefe.

The stomack.As for example to speake of the stomacke that hath no good appetite to feed, and when it hath fed, cannot disgest well: it is a disease that may grow diuers waies: therefore it is not possible to cure it with one medicine: Also if that weaknes of the stomack doe come of a weake distemperature of it selfe onely; then must you needes vse some meanes vnto it selfe to heat and quicken it a­gaine. Contrariwise ouermuch heat in it selfe, may be the cause of that weaknesse; which if it be so then will it ap­peare diuers waies, and especially in the mouth and throate; for they will continually be furred with white, and curdeled froath, and her breath will be strong and sower: Also it will be perceiued by the ouer much black and sanguine colour in her mutes, and burnt casting, then you must of necessity coole it with some coole thing that is meet for it: But if that weaknes doe grow of any superfluous humor, that doth abound, or hath beene there ingendered; then must that humor of necessitie be purged, vpward and downeward by some gentle medi­cine. Also this infirmitie and weakenesse of the stomacke may grow on extraordinary heat and inflamation of the liuer, which may easily be perceiued: for that Hawke that is sicke of that disease, will hold at one stay, and will hardly rise of her flesh, but if shee doe it, will not conti­nue, how well soeuer you doe feed: likewise shee will looke very dullie with her eies, and her casting will sel­dome or neuer be good, and her mutes will be euermore [Page 101] filled with ouer much blacke and other signes which I will explaine vnto you more at large, and you finding this, then you must haue respect onely to that; The Liuer. especially in her diet, and some otherwaies that I shall shew you hereafter: I could prescribe you here diuers other waies how this weakenesse and decay of the stomacke may grow, but let this suffice as yet, and approoue that it can­not be cured with one medicine, ignorantly giuen.

As I haue here lastly a little touched and spoken of the liuer, let me returne backe vnto it againe, and giue you further assurance that many Hawkes, from that one­ly thing receiue their deadly wounds, and at such times as it is neuer suspected or thought on: for wheresoeuer it falleth out that your Hawke continueth in a disorde­red kinde of casting, either of stones, or casting, or both, and that out of your iudgement and owne knowledge, you are assured that your best meanes by practise, with good meat cleane drest, casting and stones, and all other good vsage, hath not beene wanting: for remedy of the same, then may you be assured shee is vnsound, and in great danger of death, if it be not suddenly seene and preuented, and in such a Hawk (as I told you before) you shall find her mutes commonly to be filled with blacke and saguine matter seldome dispersed abroad: but other­wise cloddered thicke on lumpes, within the which be­ing stirred or remoued, you shall find and perceiue a raw and rancke kind of fleshly substance: All which impor­teth and sheweth vnto you that there wants digesture, and that your Hawke hath beene ouer het and strained, as in her flights for want of breath and cleannesse, or by vnquietnesse and toiling on the fist, in the time of carri­age, or on shipboard with baring and tumbling vp and downe, & ill vsage as they are brought ouer, a matter lit­tle considered, yet certain it is, that with the same, & base [Page 102] feeding together a number of them are surfeted in their bodies, and also baned in their liuers, which for want of vnderstanding in many masters, the seruant is after bla­med and wrongfully condemned for it, without any cause at all: for the lyuer or the disease thereof, is so se­cret and vnaparant that vnlesse it bee quite and cleane shot and fallen or swelled (for that is the truth) with rot­tennes: and that euery man may discerne it by the fee­ling of his hand, it is neuer mistrusted nor thought of; when there is no other place within the Hawke more, nor so much or often infected. Also this sicknesse and griefe of the lyuer will bee easily perceiued, by her ca­stings the which will seldome or neuer bee wrapped, or cleane after any of the least large feeding. And, although the lyuer so farre as you can perceiue by your ordinary meanes, resteth right in the place, yet by these and such other signes as I haue shewed it is to be gathered, and you may be assured that there lieth her griefe, and that with too much heat and striuing it is infected. And for remedie thereof, and to stay the inflammation of the same, you must suddainly hold and keepe her to a mo­derate diet and abstaine from all kinde of hot meates, I meane such as bee hot and strong of disgestion. I doe not forewarne you of the meat hot and new killed, for such you must bee sure to prouide alwayes, and betake you to, and of the coolest and easiest to be digested, as of hens flesh, chickens flesh, yong Pigeons, and of what­soeuer you can finde to be cooling in operation, and ea­sie to be indured by such a Hawke as is perceiued to bee grieued in that place, and through the same wants quick digesture: and with one, or with anie of these prescri­bed meates, you must not feede euery day, but one daie with one kind, and a little thereof at once, and the next [Page 103] day with another, and so one after another you must prouide and giue vnto her, vntill you do perceiue shee begins to rise and mend of her flesh; and then you must not forget to giue casting and stones moderately, and with discretion: to the end, that as by this prescription and course of diet, and nourishing-feeding, her griefe may bee cured; so otherwise by her winning and retai­ning vnto her selfe glut, and such other like superfluous imperfections of the same, naturally increasing, her health may not be hindered.

Also you must be mindfull, and remember to giue your meat with one coole water or other, and such as I shal set downe, and appoint hereafter to be giuen for the preseruation of the liuer, and those inward and secret parts. Furthermore if you haue rightly obserued, you may remember that oft times your Hawkes liuer will be coloured greene and yellow, when shee is dead, which sheweth that although the same were not before percei­ued in the highest degree to be baned, yet that it were much inflamed as by those colours appeared, The Gall. which was the ouerflowing of the gall, a disease that most Hawkes are subiect vnto; and is as dangerous and deadly as death it selfe, if it be not present lie foreseene and cured. This ouerflowing of the gall proceedeth of great heat, taken thorough disorder and ill vsage, as by toiling flights in greace and vncleannesse, or by hanging by the heeles, or tumbling and tossing, and such other like abuses, where­by the liuer and the same infecteth one and other, where­fore the cure must be in them both; for that they are both as one ioined together; and how to vnderstand and know when your Hawke is sicke of this disease, you must omit no time in the diligent search and view of her ca­sting and mutes, whereas in the one, the other or both, [Page 104] that griefe is to be discerned: for they will be continu­ally mixed with greene and yellow colour, which will not be (by anie ordinarie meanes) altered or changed, hauing got the vpper hand; but by skilfull and cunning art must bee staied and cooled in the beginning, and so her life preserued,

CHAP. XIII. To temper and coole the heate of the liuer, and to stay the in­flammation of the same.

WHen you doe perceiue your Hawke to be ill affected in that place, and that you perceiue her to droope on the same, then must you first call to minde and thinke on her diet, and the ordering thereof, according as you haue directions before, then you must take some of the distilled water of the hearbe called Liuer-woort: and when you feede her, dippe your meate into the same and giue it vnto her, and in vsing this course euery day once or twice for a while, and in time before she be too farre spent, it will cure her be you asured of it. Also, if you finde her any whit to distaste the water, then put in­to it as much browne suger-candie as will make it sweet: Likewise, if you perceiue any whit that her stomacke do faile, as commonly that disease resteth not alone, but dis­perceth her branches into other parts. Then take the powder of three or fowre cloues, and now and then giue vnto her at Morning or night finely conuaid into a peece of meate; and that wil strengthen the stomacke, comfort the heart, and also haue respect vnto the liuer and other principall parts.

CHAP. XIIII. Of the Liuer and the Gall.

HOw I am entred into these inward and se­cret parts, The Liuer and Gaule. I thinke it good to wright somewhat more of the liuer, and also of the superfluity and abounding of the gaule, and to shew you how to qualifie the heate and outrage of them both: when as you do first perceiue, by such signes and tokens as I haue before noted vnto you, that your Hawke is grie­ued and sicke of this or these diseases; then must you de­fer no time to giue something vnto her, to cure and a­mend her withall, for if you be slacke therein, and suffer it to run on and grow too much vpon her, there is no way to stay it but death will haue her due: Therefore, you must first be sure to haue great respect vnto her di­et, that it may be of good meate, light and coole in ope­ration, for that is a speciall thing and meanes for the re­couery of any of these inward and secret sicknesses and otherwise without the same obseruation, it is not possi­ble to cure or amend any of them, but what else soeuer you giue for remedie, the same shall be a means to crosse and preuent it: so much and many grosse humours doe growe and proceede, of giuing ranke feede, and great gorges vnto crasie Hawkes that want perfect di [...]esture, then you must prouide some distilled water of endiue, and suckorie; and of any one of them, or both, take a lit­tle, and into the same put a slice of rubarbe to infuse, and when you feed your Hawke, dip your meate into it, and feede her therewith, and it wil coole the heat of the liuer, [Page 106] and helpe the ouerflowing of the gaule: also it comfor­teth, cooleth and refresheth the stomacke that is ouer­heated, you may giue the rubarbe beeing dried in pow­der, about the weight of two barley or wheat cornes and it is very good; but then after fowre daies you must scoure your Hawk with fresh butter, the powder of Rew, the powder of Cloues, and some browne suger-candie: for the rubarbe being dried will leaue a binding qualitie behinde it.

CHAP. XV. To comfort and preserue the heart, from anie infirmitie that proceedes of heate.

WHereas at the death of your Hawkes, you shall often find the skinne about the heart to be couered with white and hory specks, and also the place where the heart doth lie, likewise so infected, euen so may you in her life time haue a great gesse, nay full assurance when she is possessed with the same disease: for you shall find and per­ceiue such a Hawk to be most dry euery way: as first in her castings, they will haue seldome any store of moisture in them, but it will be froathy and roping her mutes will be thicker then ordinarie, and shee will be often dropping of them, and seldome slice from her, which is an euill signe, shee will seeme to be subiect to the cray, and the frownce, her foot and Seare wil be of a dead colour, and her pounces will shew the like: for the I [...]t and glassie die thereof will be vanished, and gone away: and shee will be subiect and disposed vnto much bowsing, weathering, and bathing. Neuerthelesse if this vnnatuarall heat haue [Page 107] not seated it selfe, or planted it in other secret places, a­bout the lights, reines, or other of those priuy parts, in white specks, or such setled curnels like vnto the mazels of a swine; there is no doubt but it may be recouered. The which to effect you must take the distilled water or waters of borage and buglose together, into the which put halfe a dozen sliced cloues to infuse, and with the same water, on or both, you must feed with all, and giue it once a day vnto your Hawke with her meat, affording her quiet rest and ease withall, that shee may haue no cause to increase the disease: Also you must be sure as I haue already forewarned you, to be circumspect in her diet, that it may be of light and coole meat, and small gorges thereof, and this will amend and helpe her: for otherwise there is no Hawke of what kinde soeuer, whose griefe proceedes of heate, but that one great gorge in­creaseth the same, and preuenteth the best meanes or remedy that you can vse for the amendement of the same.

CHAP. XVI. To kill and destroy the wormes in the body, to heat and quic­ken a cold stomacke, that doth not disgest and indue well; but thorough the same ingendereth Fellanders, and other grosse humors and imperfections in the pannell and guts.

THis remedy which here I doe commend vnto you, is an old medicine, the which hath beene vsed a long time, and many yeeres agoe: and surely what obseruation or vse other men haue made of it, I know not, neither am here able to recite it: but for my selfe I haue [Page 108] vsed and obserued it, and haue certainely found it to be a most speciall and present remedy, for such things as here I doe commend it: and whereas it hath beene adui­sed to be giuen out of oile steeped for the same. I cannot commend it, because I haue not vsed it, but for trial long agoe, when as then I dislik't it, and euer since haue left it: But in this manner I haue often and alwaies secretly vnto my selfe, giuen it when I haue gathered by such signes, as I obserued that my Hawke hath beene in this sort dis­eased. At that time of the yeere when wormewood is growne vp, If shee will not bowse, faile not the next mor­ning after she hath cast her garlicke to giue her stones with a spoonefull of faire wa­ter, and you shall see her to purge her self vpwards of slime and glut verie much. and is moistest, then must you prouide a glasse full of the iuice thereof, and into the same put a score of cloues of garlicke, cleane pilled, and pierced tho­rough in diuers places, and there preserue them close, and when you haue ocassion to vse them, take forth one cloue or two, and a little drie them outwardly, and so giue them vnto your Hawke at a night with her supper, vsing this order for a weeke together, and faile not to let her haue water offered her in a dish euery morning, or other­wise as you find her condition. Then leaue of your gar­licke, and euery night after when you doe giue her her supper, role two or three bits of meat in musterd seed and giue her, and let her casting be euer of plummage, you may bruse the seed a little if you will, but I hold it more naturall to giue it whole, and it is a thing more pre­cious then euer it hath beene imagined to be giuen vnto any Hawke: It purgeth the head, helps disgestion, warmes the stomacke, prouokes appetite, and preuailes much a­gainst all cold causes of the body: and whensoeuer you giue your Hawke any traine newly taken from the field; be not curious to let her take her pleasure on the crop: The vertue of musterd-seed. for there is the musterd seed most naturall and kind, and there is no better phisicke: And whereas it hath beene [Page 109] euer thought a thing vnpossible at anie time, or by anie meanes to kill and destroy the wormes of the backe. I dare vndertake that if it be possible for any man to know assuredly when his Hawke hath them, and for the num­ber to ghesse what store of them, that they shall neuer en­crease together, nor grow after, but that garlicke and wormewood shall forstall and correct them, nay altoge­ther destroy and wast them; and that Hawke that is vsed often vnto it shall neuer die of them: for if it be possible for any Hawke to draw by her breath in and vnto her; any poisoned infection to rot and kill her: wherefore then should shee not as well thorough the same passage sucke vp that which is of force to destroy the wormes and so preserue her. I see no reason to the contrary, know­ing that the bellowes draweth so farre as vnto them­selues sauours, both good and ill, and from them by dis­persed vaines all along that leades vnto the backe, and o­ther places whereas those wormes doe lie, is way where­by may passe a senting remedy for to destroy that mala­die or infection of those wormes: These worms are to be found in blancke plu­med Hawks neither shall there be in any other place any wormes able to abide or indure it but it will correct and kill them, vnlesse it be those which are the least in shew & substance, but greatest in strength of nature, and of whom I haue already spoken in the former part of this booke, and shewed there vnto what sort of Hawkes they doe belong, by nature and kind do­ing no hurt at all.

CHAP. XVII. Another very good scowring to giue vnto any imperfect Hawk that is perceiued to haue Fellanders or other imperfections proceeding from the weakenesse of the stomacke.

TAke some clarified butter that hath beene preserued in rosewater, In this is loofing and cleansing of humors, it comforteth and dri­eth super­fluous hu­mors, it kil­leth wormes and resisteth putrifaction then take the leafe of rew and of wormewood of equall por­tions, and with a sharpe knife mince them very exceeding small together, then temper and mingell them together with browne suger candy, and when you haue so done, and roled and made fit to be giuen, then into a pellet you must put a little of the pow­der of mirrie: and so giue on vnto your Hawke, morning or euening, according as you shall thinke it meet, and you shall find it a present and speciall remedie against such inward diseases, and a great preseruer of health and lustines.

CHAP. XVIII. Another to scowre and purge the body, to preserue the liuer and reines, and place of kidneis to inlarge a short breath, to preuent the Pantas or wasting of the lungs, to purge from the stomacke, glut, and all such superfluous humors that doth abound and to kill wormes.

THere is a thing called Agricke, the which you shal haue at the Apothecaries, it is like vnto a white mushrome or toad stoole, and of this take a little slice and put it into white wine, there to infuse with a [Page 111] slice or two of the whitest ginger; and wash your Hawkes meat a little therewith, and so with discretion giue it vn­to her, much or little, as you shall see cause, also you may giue it in powder, and it is very good.

CHAP. XIX. To purge your Hawke after shee hath cast her gorge, or stood very long on her meat, before shee put it ouer.

WHen you doe perceiue your Hawke to stand long vpon her meat before shee puts it ouer, and that it is like to grow sower and to putrifie in the gorge, then it is meet you misse not to offer her water, and if she doe bowse it may doe her much good, but it shee refuse so to doe, and that yo [...] [...] haue her put it away, then giue her three or foure little stones, if it be possible aboue the hand; and ten to one but they will cause her to writh it away: for I haue oft times made triall of it at nights when my Hawks haue stood on some part of their meat, and haue preuailed of my desire in due time (yet you must vnderstand howsoeuer) that this meat with ly­ing too long in the gorge, must needs putrifie and bee corrupted, and therefore will be offensiue and noisome vnto the stomacke and her other inward and secret parts, as also vpward the fume and stench thereof must needes ascend, whereby those passages and pipes and the head will be stuffed with an ill perfume.

And therefore it is necessary, for the auoiding of such euils as may grow thereon, both in body and head, that you doe presently and thoroughly cleanse them both, and all the powers thereof of that corruption, and [Page 112] sweeten them againe before you giue her anie meate, the which to effect, you must take some butter that hath beene preserued in Rose-water, then take a little of the powder of Saffron, the powder of myrrhe, and the pow­der of halfe a dozine cloues of mace, and mingle them all together with a little browne suger-candie, and giue one or two pellets thereof vnto your Hawke, very early in the morning, and when you haue perceiued that it hath wrought with her, and that she is emptied and her hower come to be fed, be sure you giue her but one bit at once, and of the best meate you can get, and so as of­ten as you shall see cause that daie, and the next morning faile not to giue her stones with one pellet of worme­wood, and when she hath cast them againe feed her with sweet and cleane meate, according as you finde her dis­posed to eate, and with some of the aforesaid sweet wa­ter; and these things with this order will purge her cleere of all grosse humors, and sweetly perfume her body and sences, and set her free from al danger of sicknesse or sur­feting that otherwaies might haue growne on that oc­casion: many men on these occasions doe desire to prouoke their Hawkes to cast their meate, which if it could be effected to their liking, and as they would haue it, it were very good, but it is a hard matter so to do with­out great hurt to the Hawke, as with striuing and strey­ning of her selfe with the vneasinesse of her casting.

Also, that which is giuen for prouocation thereof, the body being amisse before, must of necessity adde more vexation and offence to the same; and therfore all things considered, for mine owne part, this is my resolution and euer hath been: I euermore rather desired to vse all the ordinary meanes to cause her put it awaie, then the least extraordinary to make her to cast it: and whosoe­uer [Page 113] he be that shall make triall of it, and can doe it, shall finde her easier to be recouered, then if she doe cast it through such an occasion: if after he will obserue and keepe this order before expressed, and I dare warrant she shall be no whit the worse for it very quickly.

Neuertelesse, if there be any man of the contrary o­pinion, or that will not stay the time for triall therof, but resolutely will haue his Hawke to cast, either meate that she hath kept too long, or stones that hath beene giuen too soone after her drawing, or any other occasion that doth detaine them, then to effect the same. Take as much of Roach-allum, in quantity, as a pritty button, or beane, and giue it vnto her and that will cause her to cast immediatly, all such things as she hath within her, after which you must take a spooneful of the forenamed sweet water and giue her, and so let it rest so long as you shall finde it meete before you giue her meate, this thing I thinke will not faile you on this occasion to worke your will and all, though for want of experience and iudge­ment, sometimes stones be giuen by young Faulconers too soone in the fulnesse of greace, which time is vnfit­test and most dangerous. And also then they are most hardest to be remoued, yet then at that or such time I haue seene it constraine them to ascend backe, and come forth from their place of being euen wrapped, by two or three together in the same greace, which they them­selues had with their heate and hasty working melted, re­moued, and dispersed too soone.

CHAP. XX. To stay the casting of the gorge, and to strengthen the weake­nes of the stomacke, from whence it proceedes.

YOu shall haue your Hawkes stomacke, somtimes, thorough the distemperature of grosse humors there abounding, for want of natural and kinde purging with stones and casting, to be growne so weake as that she will not keepe her meate, but will cast either all, or some part thereof; or otherwise, on some other occasion of sicknes will do the like, the which infirmity and weaknes in her to cure and amend; you must first of all be carefull to order her very curiously in her diet, and in these respects it is meet he should be no idle mate that should vndertake such a businesse, but both painfull and carefull to order her as she should be. And first, he must prouide the daintiest meate that may be gotten, and giue her but a bit at a time, and as often as with conueniency he may, still prouiding change thereof, and as neere as he can let it be of all manner of small birds, for they are meetest for that purpose, and easiest to be indued and al­waies may bee prouided warme for her to feede vpon. Then you must prouide some of the distilled water of the hearbe called Mint-ryall, and as often as you feed, giue some of it with her meate, vntill you see and per­ceiue she doth mend, which soone will be if you obserue well this order and manner of diet; for otherwise that being neglected and carelesly handled, all the medicines or other appliments in the world will doe no good at all: Contrariwise, this water is special good for this purpose, and with good ordering will strengthen the weakenes of the stomacke, drie vp all superfluous humours that was [Page 115] cause of the same, and at an instant will stay the casting of the gorge and make her keepe her meate,

CHAP. XXI. A verie good Medicine for a Hawk that is stuffed in the head with colde.

TAke Rosemary leaues and drie them, and make them into fine powder, also take the powder of halfe a scoare cloaues and mingle them well to­gether, with clarified and preserued butter out of Rose-water and browne suger-candie, and giue it vnto your Hawke in pellets in the morning, and bee sure to keepe her very warme vntill she be well, which will quickly be, for this is a very speedy and sure medicine.

As I haue heretofore shewed you how necessary it is, that euery Falconer do know what aileth his Hawk whē she is amisse, & certainly what is her disease: so likewise ought he to be as skilful to know the vertue & operation of such things as he shall giue vnto her, for curing of the same. For otherwise, he may trauel as a blind man with­out a guide, and runne on quite contrarie, doing hurt vn­to that the which he intended to doe good vnto: as for example, I haue heard of some men that would giue worme-wood in a pellet, or knot vnto his Hawke at a night with her supper, but for what purpose I haue not cer­tainly vnderstood, neither will I giue any consent or ad­uice so to do, as to giue it at that time with meate, or any other time on a full gorge, for the nature of it is cleane repugnant and contrary: it is a thing in taste very bitter and full of iuice, and it cannot chuse but be offensiue and distastefull vnto the Hawke in the time of her dige­stion, and may cause a crasie Hawke to cast before her [Page 116] due time, and euen to throw vp her meate and all as most certainly I haue seene it done.

Therefore, as it is a thing very medicinable and pow­erfull for those things, for which by nature it serueth, being rightly giuen; so also, it is as vnmedicinable and hurtfull if it be otherwise vsed: wherefore, vnderstand you thus much of the vertue and operation of the same; this weede here spoken of, and called by the name of worme-wood, it is of force to loosen, scowre, and purge grosse and abounding humours from the stomack, and is meetest to bee giuen with stones when your Hawke hath cast in the morning, and is through empty, and e­specially after a great gorge that she hath stood long on, and that you feare surfering on the same: for it doth mightily refresh the stomacke and body after large fee­ding, it killeth wormes in the same and resisteth rotten­nesse, and this obseruation ought to be held in any thing that is giuen vnto those poore Birds, the griefe should be certainely knowne in all things accordingly for remedie thereof.

You may perceiue this disease oft-times by croking or hatling in the gorge, or throate. To wash your Hawks meate in hearhow [...]d, or woodbine water is al­so very good CHAP. XXII. A very good water to giue vnto anie Hawke that is perceiued to bee subiect vnto drought and heate in the stomacke, or else where inwardly.

TAke about an ounce and a halfe, or two ounces of french barley, and wash it well in faire water, and put it into a pipkin or posnet with some rea­sonable store of faire water, and let that boyle three or fowre wa [...]mes and no more, then cleanse away that wa­ter, and put to it as much more, and let that boile euen so long; also then throwe that away, then the third time [Page 117] put to it at the least a quart of faire water, and let that boile halfe an hower, or vntill it come vnto a pint, then straine that through a linnen cloath from the barley, and put into it as much suger candie as will make it indiffe­rent sweete, and let them boile a little together, then af­ter when it is colde, as often as you do feed your Hawke, giue some of it with your meate vnto her, for three or fowre daies together, and no more, for it wil not last; and therefore then you must prouide you of new after this manner, so long as you shall haue cause to vse it which will not be long, for certainely I haue seene it with one making and vsing to coole and recouer a very hot and drie Hawke that would not by any meanes be filled full of flesh, or thriue in a long time before.

CHAP. XXIII. Of the frowne.

AS concerning the frownce or heate, or both so termed, that is, thought to proceed from forth the bodie of the Hawke, but cannot be directly knowne, vntill triall be made by the Faulconer in the cure therof, when as if he do then duly obserue, he may with iudgement finde out the originall cause and place from whence it doth proceed, and so to vse a certaine meanes for remedie thereof.

As for example, when you doe find your Hawkes mouth and throat to be continually froathy and furred with white, then you may thinke and mistrust the same to proceed out of the inner parts, and therefore must needs be said out of the body: neuerthelesse as there is seuerall places that thorough distemperature therein, may seeme vpward such and the like annoiance; so also [Page 118] you must out of your iudgement and skill, vse sundrie meanes for remedy as occasion shall serue.

And first for the stomacke which is the pannell, and is neerest vnto you, & easiest to be searched: to begin with­all it is therefore most meetest, and for triall of that place and to be thoroughly resolued, whether that infirmity of heat shewing and appearing in the mouth, doe grow from thence or no, vse no other thing but stones out of faire water morning or euening, as you shall find your Hawke orderly to cast them, as if shee vse to sit long in the morning before shee doe cast, then leaue of that time, and prouide for the night to let her alwaies haue them, and assure your selfe that in good time they will purge and cleanse that place of all superfluous heat, or other hu­mors that were gathered in the same, and the fume and annoiance thereof will be gone, the which will shew and be manifested in the mouth and throat: for they will be clearely clensed of the same: but if you doe not find this order and meanes to be answearable to your expectati­on very suddenly; then you may be sure there is a further and a more dangerous ground and cause of the same in­firmitie, which you ought more carefully to looke vnto, and prouide for it another remedy, you may be assured it is the liuer that is diseased, and as it is seldome or neuer mistrusted, so also it is a thing as little or no whit at all e­uer feared, but certainely in this case that must needs be the part that is amisse; for there are no other places but those two, which prouoke that noisome and fuming heat to ascend in that manner vp into the gorge, the throat and mouth. And for the stomacke I haue here set downe a present and sure meanes with stones, and a well ordered diet how to coole and destroy it in that place; then of necessity it must needs depend of the liuer, and [Page 119] the corruption thereof, which is the cause that stones take no effect in the stomacke: and for the liuer to a­mend and stay the inflamation and superfluous heate thereof, you must prouide some of the distilled water of sorrell, and whensoeuer you doe giue your Hawke stones giue them out of that water, and some of it with them, also giue it with the meat you feed withall, the which you must haue respect vnto, and that it may be easie in disgestion, and neuer on great gorge, vntill shee be cured, but easie gorges and the oftener: Also if you be disposed you may put into the same water a little slice of rubarbe to infuse; for it is a very speciall thing to preserue the li­uer: and these things with this order well obserued, will both coole the liuer and the stomacke, and free your Hawke cleane from this disease. And so much of this griefe or infirmitie that some men doe call heat in the stomacke, others call it heat in the bodie or frownce, or the wet frownce.

CHAP. XXIIII. A medicine to kill and destroy the frownce, that doth cleane or eate into any part of the mouth, tongue, or throate, where you may come to dresse it.

TAke a sawcerfull of the best white wine vineger that you can get or may be gotten, or more or lesse as you shall thinke good for the quantitie you meane to make, and into the same put three or fowre red sage leaues, and boile them a prettied pace, then take the powder of burnt allum a pretty quantitie and put into it, and let it boile euen one walme or two and no more, then take it off and put it into a glasse and there keepe it: also if you do find the Frownce to be very [Page 118] [...] [Page 119] [...] [Page 120] dangerous, take as much brimstone as two small nuts, beaten very small, and put that into a linnen cloath and tie it fast, then let the same be steeped in the rest, a day and a night, which done, take it forth and crush it, or streine as much of the iuice as you can into the vineger, and throw the other away: and this will destroy anie frowne in the world, if the Hawke be orderly drest: For otherwise the best medicine that euer was, is but of little worth: Therefore you must vnderstand in what sort you ought to dresse her, to the end to preuent the tediousnes of the same, and the heating and turmoiling of the poore Hawke, which amongst many men haue no end, but with the losse of her life: on this consideration you must re­member in the cure of any such or other thing inward-inwardlie or outwardly, (wherein consisteth and depen­deth the distemper of the whole body and hazzard of life,) that as the one day you doe apply your salue, or o­ther medicine to correct the raging humor or infection of the infirmity, so must you the other day giue rest, nou­rishment, and good vsage, withall to comfort, preserue, and hold strong the heart and body: for otherwise your art is nothing worth, and your labour is all in vaine. Therefore if the frownce be neuer so rancke, or neuer so little at the first dressing, take of the scale to the quicke, and with the tip of a feather lay on two or three drops of the water, being warmed in a spoone, and so the next day, and after but once in three daies; and so vse it being sure that you do neuer pull of anie scale, or scal to make it bleed, if you can choose: but onelie that which will come gentlie away, for if you doe, it will not heale, doe what you can, but scab and eat in further and further, the mouth is too tender, and manie Hawkes are destroied that way with often dressing, rubbing & fretting a thing [Page 121] so tender as a Hawkes mouth is: but otherwise with this water and this order rightly obserued, there is no frownce howsoeuer it groweth or is entered; but it will suddainely cure, and destroy it without all doubt.

CHAP. XXV. Of the Pantas.

THe Pantas is a disease that in all my life I haue not had one Hawke infected withall, neither did I e­uer heare or know of any other mans that had it, that euer could be cured of it: and therefore if I should prescribe you any fained or new deuised medicine for it, I should both doe my selfe wrong, and deceiue many o­thers in so doing, therefore it is best for euery man to feare it, and euer to be careful to preuent and preserue his Hawke by good vsage from it. The griefe is very easie at the first to be decerned: for after a little bating shee will begin to fetch her breath thicke with panting; after as it more increaseth shee will shew it by labouring in her pannell, euen as shee doth sit still: Also as it further groweth, her lights doe drie or wast, shee will be forced to gape for breath after shee hath a little stirred, and then there is no remedy for it: but if at the first beginning, thorough the diligence and skill of her keeper, it may be discried there is no doubt: but it may be preuented and her life preserued. The which to effect, take a quarter of a pound of the best sweet butter, and put it into dammaske rose water, and there preserue and keepe it very close: and as you haue need to vse it, which must be very often; take some of it forth, and with the powder of rue and the powder of saffron, and a little browne suger candie mingled well together, make a pellet or two and [Page 122] giue euery morning vnto your Hawke for a weeke toge­ther very earely in the morning, and keepe her verie warme continuallie, and if it haue not taken too deepe root this will cure and helpe i [...] ▪ For these things are spe­ciall preseruatiues and remedies against the stopping, dry­ing, or wasting of the longs, & other places from whence this disease or infirmity doe proceed; you must keep your butter by itselfe continually in rose water, and your pow­der in a paper vntill you haue need, and then mix them and vse them.

CHAP. XXVI. Of the Crocke and the Crampe.

THe Crocke and the Crampe are two very dangerous eu [...]ls, and in the nature and condition of their griefes they are much a like; yet a difference there is, and also some hope of recouerie, if they be taken in time. The Crampe may bee taken at any time of the yeere when the Hawke hath been flowne, and is perfectly inseamed and cleane, onely with taking cold after hard flying and toyling: therefore beware how you doe set your Hawkes in colde places, at such times, for more e­uils do growe thereon then is imagined or thought on: also, her body inwardly may be possessed of the same, and euen foundered as it were or frettized with the like, and this one way may the Crampe be taken. And for the Crocke, that infirmity also may be taken at any time tho­rough ill vsage; but if you haue obserued it, it hath been most oftenest taken after their immediate drawing, be­fore they be throughly inseamed and cleane, as with ta­king colde after they haue bated and het their greace, and with spowting and washing after they haue stirred and [Page 123] het themselues, or with ouer streining them in that case and by striuing, and through negligence hanging by the heeles. Also after, in the time of loosing, being loaden with belles, a metled Hawk may with great labour in see­king to prey take the same infirmity, but if it bee not in greace it will soonest be recouered: Againe otherwise, they may haue these infirmities ioined together, and then the vse of their ioints will be taken from them, and they will onely lie downe: whereas then there is seldome or neuer any remedy but death, for it is in the highest de­gree of both the diseases: And if you will looke backe towards the middest of this book, whereas I haue aduised you to beware how you do spowte or wash your metled Hawkes newly taken from the mew, there shall you finde necessarie instructions how to preuent such euils, and preserue your Hawkes from the like and other inward in­firmities: and so much of the nature and condition of these sundty diseases.

CHAP. XXVII. For the Crampe.

IF you be well assured when your Hawke doth take the Crampe, that she is cleane and perfectly inseamed, and ftee from greace, then must you resolue and indea­uour your selfe to cure her with continuall moderate heate outwardly, the which you must prouide and pre­pare for her in this sort. Take a large brasse pot and fill it with faire water, into the which put two or three good handfull of sage, both red and white, and also as much Polopody of the O [...]ke and boile them in the pot, the which you must couer with woollen cloathes very thicke: for o­therwise your Hawke will be hot too soone, or colde too [Page 124] soone which must not be, but a temperate heate ought to be kept continually with the Hawke lying on it: also, it is meete that you do giue one cloue of garlicke euerie morning, for one weeke together, to the end to open her pipes and vaines, and to expell the inward colde from thence that hath possessed or benummed her, and if you mistrust any greace to be in her that hath been ouer-heat, then her body will be much windie inwardly; and it wil be good for you to purge and consume that away, The Rue wasteth and consumeth [...]de, it cut­teth and di­gesteth tong humours, the worm-wood purgeth and cleanseth them awaie. and other grosse and tuffe humours as euill possessors of the same place, and doth increase that disease: for the which, take a little of the leafe of Rue, and as much of the worm-wood exceedingly shred with a sharpe knife, and mingle it with sweet-butter, and a little suger-candy, and when you would vse it make it into pellets and giue one or two of them vnto your Hawke, two or three mornings in the weeke, and with this course wel obserued and vsed, make no doubt but it will mend and make sound your Hawke. Also do you take out of the pot often times some of the Polopode and sage in their fuming heate, and lay it before the Hawke that shee may taste it at her nares so long as it smoakes, for it is a very speciall thing against that disease.

CHAP. XXVIII. To recouer and cure a Hawke that hath taken the Crock in her flying time through any kinde of accident.

WHen your Hawke hath taken the crocke tho­rough any misfortune, as I make no question but you haue seene a Hawk to scratch off her hood, and sitting abroad would so bate and striue in her lease that before shee cold be conueniently taken to the fist, hath euen crockt againe and againe, all which proueth [Page 125] that through such accidents and disordered occasions, yourcoie Hawkes may come by the like diseases. And for cure thereof the best remedy that euer I could find to be ioined with rest and ease, is the spirit of wine, the which you must prepare and make in this fashion. Take halfe a pint of claret wine, or more or lesse as you shall see cause for the quantity you meane to make, and put it into a ser­uice dish of siluer, if you haue it, or otherwise into a dish of the best pewter that you can get, and couer it with a­nother dish of equall proportion and bignesse very close. Also into the same you must put a little sugercandy, three or fowre thin slices of the whitest ginger, as many brow­sed cloues, and boile all these on a chafing-dish, ouer a soft fire, which you must keepe with temperate blowing, and now and then take off the vppermost dish, and with a feather strike the moisture that hangeth theron into some thing, wherein you may keepe it safe, and alwaies when you doe feede your Hawke giue her a little of it with her meate, being sure to giue her quiet rest and warmth with­all, and this will recouer her without all doubt; but if she haue taken this disease before shee be inseamed, then is it so much the more dangerous; yet neuerthelesse if the Crampe haue not also ioined with it, and ceazed on her and taken away the vse of her externall parts, she may with good vsage bee recouered and brought to health a­gaine. The which to effect, looke a little back, and there you shall finde a scowring made of Rue and Worme-wood, with some other things the which you must purge your Hawke with all, at such times and so often as you are there directed; for it serues for both the infirmities when they be taken in greace, or as if they were vnited in one Hawke together.

As you do boile your wine, you ought to haue know­ledge [Page 126] and perseuerance when the heart and spirit thereof doth fade or decay, the which to vnderstand, is as that do die, so the strength thereof ceaseth to yeeld anie more plentifull store of moisture, and then you must prouide you of new wine and other things to increase your store withall. And as this thing is speciall good for any Hawke that hath taken this forenamed disease, by ouerstriuing, or streining her selfe or other misfortune, so is it also as good to be giuen vnto any sicke or weake Hawke to com­fort and strengthen her withal, and to sweeten the inward parts after the casting of the gorge, or any other occasion that may cause the body inwardly and breath to be vnsa­uourie: also it prouokes appetite, and doth quicken digestion.

Whereas heretofore I haue shewed that in all sorts of Hawkes, how much more easier it is to preserue and hold health, that being safely emploied, then afterward when it is lost and decaied to seek to restore or renue it againe. The performance thereof I also doe assure you must rest and remaine in the dutifull diligence, and continuall ho­nest care and paines of the Faulconer, his mind must sel­dome be off on them, his eye euer on them, and himselfe neuer from them at times befitting for himself and them. And then when other men that be of a more lazy & neg­ligent disposition shall haue their Hawkes miscarry and decay, he shal be sure to keep his long aliue, and safe from many euill accidents, and inward and outward misfor­tunes that otherwise may fall vpon them, and often doe, through sloath and ignorance in their keepers.

CHAP. XXIX. Of diseases that happen to Hawkes, on their legges or feete.

IT is now meet and necessary that I doe speake of such infirmities, as doe befall oftentimes vnto Hawkes, on their legges and feete, and do appeare outwardly in swelled knobs or knots, to the great torment and vexati­on of these poore birds that haue them: also, it is as fit I let you vnderstand which way, and of what they doe pro­ceed, and how you may preuent them. Then know you for certaine, that for the most part they do onely growe with taking cold, after your Hawks haue flowne and cha­fed their bodies and blood, and distempered both with immoderate labour, and afterward are not considered of their Keeper; but so soone as they are fed, and oft-times with cold and stale meate, euen vp to their throats, which at an instant ingendreth one euill or other in them; then they are set downe (what weather soeuer it bee) on the cold ground, to sit and trample and rest them: and wher­as (they) poore birds, doe take their vtter destruction ve­ry often, both inwardly and outwardly, as sometimes it will appeare by colde in the head, distemper in the bo­dy, and ill humours that doe distill and fall downe into the legs and feete, appearing in gowtes, and such other things as I haue before named.

Also, at some other time when your Hawke is drawne into the brooke with a fowle, after she hath flowne and laboured and is hot inwardly; although she be presently carried away to bee dried, yet afterward when night is come, she is no more cared for, nor thought on then the rest, but euen set vp altogether on some cold perch, and in some cold place where she receiues her bane.

[Page 128]I doe speake it out of my owne experience, and haue beene an eie witnes of the same: for I haue knowne di­uers Hawks destroied this way, and thorough these occasi­ons: Therefore let me aduise euery man to take heed, and beware how he sets his Hawke downe on the cold ground after his flight to the brooke in the winter time, if he doe pretend and desire to auoid and shunne such sundry euils, that proceed on this occasion, besides some orher incon­ueniences that doe belong to the same, as for such Hawkes as you doe vse and are accustomed to be set downe after their flying and feeding; to the end to trample and qual­lifie the heat of their late desire; they will euer after vnqui­etly looke for it, if they want it, and will not be pleased not contented without it: but what hast soeuer the Faul­coner hath on his way, or how late it is, or how farre soeuer vnto his home, or what weather soeuer it bee, yet they must be waited on while they are quiet, sitting on the cold ground, and thus must the Faulconer attend on them, it may be one quarter of an houre, or if it be lesse, yet long enough for them to take their destruction; or els in riding of halfe a dozen mile, they wil neuer be at rest, which from my owne home hath beene the easiest, and shortest of my iournies to & from my hawking, which vntollerable toile in all seasons I doe wish vnto no Faulconer, if he may with conuenience shun, or shift it for his owne sake, and also his poore Hawkes, that after their labour and toile are forced quietly or vnquietly to indure it, more oftner to their torment and vtter destruction, then a number of masters can imagine or doe euer thinke of, although it is the de­struction and decay of many Hawkes, I haue had two or three cast of Hawkes vnder my owne gouernement: ne­uerthelesse haue vsed to quiet and coole them at such times on the fist; in which course I haue diuers waies re­ceiued [Page 129] much content to my selfe, and the like in my Hawkes, and so shall whosoeuer he be that doth follow the same in both.

CHAP. XXX. A medicine for the Crampe that hath ceased onely on the legges and feete.

WHen you doe perceiue by your Hawke that shee hath the crampe in her legs and feet, and that there onely shee is benummed with the same, then you must prouide some of the roots of pi­onie, and drie them and beat them to powder, then make a little bag of fine linnen, and put the powder therein, and all day as neare as you can lay the bagge, or hold it where the Hawke may tast or smell it at her nares: and when night doth come hang it conuenientlie with an inc­kle string about her necke, and in vsing this course it will helpe and amend her of that euill.

CHAP. XXXI. Another remedy for the crampe which hath beene credibly re­ported vnto mee to haue cured Hawkes that hath laine long on that disease, and could not be cured.

TAke the root called Brianie, and cleaue it that you may conueniently fasten it about the Hawkes leg, and let her were it on that fashion: Also let it lie close by her beake that shee may tast it, and it will cure her: also take the bone that is in the knee ioint of a hare and on the hinder leg, and put it in the end of the finger of a gloue, and so vnto the bewit of the Hawke, and let her [Page 130] weare it there, and it wil cure her: for most certainely I did of verie late yeeres cure one Hawke, with it my selfe that was verie much troubled with it, and diuers people haue sent vnto me for them, and haue reported that they haue had great ease by them.

CHAP. XXI. To cure a swelling in the leg or foot of the Hawke, or any part thereof.

SOmetimes there will arise and grow a kind of swel­ling on the leg or foot of your Hawke; which being suffered to continue long on some places thereof: will grow dangerous and hard to be taken away: which o­therwise are verie easie to be remoued, yet I haue heard of diuers opinions to the contrarie, that haue giuen aduice, not to meddle at the first with them, but to let them grow aleaging that as yet, they be not ripe, because they can nei­ther feele them verie hard nor verie soft, but assure your selfe that is not the best course to be vsed, for so they may with continuance eate so neere the bone and sinewes, whereby the same may be afterwards perished in the cure or otherwise it may fall into the foot and ioint, from whence all the singles doe shoot and grow, which is the hardest place of all to be recouered, there is so many veins and sinewes in that place for the humour to feed vpon, wherefore euen so soone as you doe find and perceiue a­ny of these things to appeare in any of these places, in swelled knobs or knots hard or soft, take a knife very sharpe at the point, and slit the place all along and long-waies on the leg or foot, whereas you shall find the flesh to be within of a spungie and hollow substance, then if you perceiue it to be so thicke with corrupt flesh or skin, [Page 131] feare not to clip it away on both sides that you may come so much the neerer to the bottome, and when you haue so done, take a little of the water that I haue set downe for the frownce, and warme it, and wash the place well with a feather vntill it doe leaue bleeding: then take out of the aforesaid water as much of a sage leafe as will couer the sore place and lay it on, and there vse meanes to keepe it, vntill it doe drie and sticke fast thereunto, and then euery day twice or thrice with a feather doe well moisten the leafe and place where it doth lie with the same water, if it be possible not stirring the leafe, but if you cannot force it to sticke fast; neuerthelesse if you wash it well with this water it will surely kill the rancke, and eating & swelling humor on what place soeuer it doe grow: some men when they doe perceiue first these kind of things to arise, and grow on any part of the leg or foot of their Hawkes, they doe partly begin to dispose themselues to chafe, and an­noint them with one kind of oyle or other, hoping by that meanes to asswage and take away the swelling, but they were as good to practise on a stone and seeke to mo­lifie that; for as I haue shewed you these things doe pro­ceed of an vnkind humor, whereby where it doth rest and settle, it corrupts the flesh, and being suffered, in time it conuerteth into white eating curnels increasing, and are euen in the same nature as frownces be, and must be sear­ched to the bottome, and destroied with a sharpe drying medicine, I haue cured a number of these kind of swel­lings onely with this water and the same manner of dres­sing, as of very late I cured a Hawke of my lord Comp­tons, a Gos-hawke, that I was inforced first to slit her with a knife, from her eare vnto her nare, and close by her eye, and then to clip away all the skin and flesh to the bones, and to her throate and killed her ranckor of the humour [Page 132] that was in the very nature and likenesse of a garget, and also tooke diuers white curnels out of it, whereof one of them was as bigge as a great beane, and had eaten cleane through into the mouth; and this I cleerely destroied and healed againe within the moneth onely with this water.

Also, if this kinde of swelling do begin to grow on the very ioint of the foot, either on the top, or on either side, or betweene any of the singles, so it be any thing vpward, feare not to giue vēt vnto it, being sure to haue your knife set for the purpose, with the backe of the point ground away, that you may carrie it vpward and go not too deep, yet be sure to pierce both the skin and corr [...]pted flesh to the bottome: Likewise, you must haue care to launce it longwaies as the sinnewes doe runne, for otherwise, to crosse either the legge or the foote, you may endanger them and so spoile the Hawke: Thus with this water and order in the vsage of it, you may kill and destroy any of these kind of infirmities that all Hawkes are subiect vnto, and from whence doth proceede that which we tearme and call by the name of the gowte, and from no other thing, and onely with suffering and giuing libertie vnto the humour to plant it selfe too deepe before it be corre­cted: furthermore, if any or such like swellings doe begin to shew vnder the sides of the foote, or vnder any of the singles where the warts do grow and the sinnewes runne; and whereas it is very dangerous to cut or meddle with any such instrument, then you must take some baie salt burned and beat to dust, and put it into, as it were, a lit­tle bagge made of purpose to hold it close, and by conue­nient meanes bind it vnto the swelled place in time, euen so soone as it is first perceiued, and this will correct and kill the humour and drie it cleane away.

CHAP. XXXIII. To burne your salt.

YOu must take a good handful of bay-salt and put it fast into a course linnen cloath, then wet it well in water, and as you would roste a warden, so do you that, in the hot embers for halfe an hower; and then it will be as hard as a stone, then when you haue cause to vse it, scrape it, and apply it as is aforesayd, and it will de­stroy any of those moist humours.

CHAP. XXXIIII. Of the pinne in Hawkes feete.

WHereas for the pinne, it hath been generally ad­uised for the cure thereof, to set the Hawke grieued with the same vpon salt, which medi­cine, of mine owne knowledge is far vnfit for such an euill, and also for the same; for salt is hot and dry and will destroy and drie vp a moist and waterish humor: and contrariwise, the pinne groweth in the bales of the feet of vnquiet Hawkes in the mew, who there doth bat­ter and bruse them with flying vp and downe and falling on hard perches, vntill their feet be so sore that they dare not flie any longer, but are forced to rest for feare to fall; then in which time of quietnesse and rest which shee is forst vnto, through the same feare, the brused flesh and blood doth drie vp and grow to hard knots and coares in the flesh, the anguish whereof will quickly make the foot to swell: therefore, in this case it is not possible to do a­ny good with any such thing that drieth; because this dis­ease [Page 134] it selfe is drie, and drinesse ought to be moistned, and moistnes must be dried.

CHAP. XXXV. To cure the pinne.

YOu must haue your Hawke well and easily cast, and with a sharpe knife search and pare out the pinne, or core, or corne, for they are all one, the which if it haue not planted it selfe to deepe amongst the sinnewes, whereby to annoy and hurt them, it will easi­ly be amended, the which to effect and bring to an end, you must haue from the Apothecaries a salue, which hee will make you at an instant of these things. Namely, gal­banon, vvhite pitch, and venus turpentine, the which you must vse in this sort. Take a little of the finest lether that may be got, If there bee any hole in the bottome of the foote, dip a little lint into fresh butter melted in a spoone, and put into it vnder the plaster, and make you plasters of the same with your salue to vse at your need, as broad as the ball of her foote, and apply the same vnto it, hauing prouided of other soft lether, as a meanes to keepe it on that it may not re­maine; and so dresse it thrise in the weeke, and with all let her sit very soft and warme, and this will cure her out of all doubt.

CHAP. XXXVI. To cure a straine in the foote, or any part thereof.

VVHen you doe perceiue that your Hawke hath caught a straine in the maine ioint, or in anie of the lesser ioints of the singles, which will ap­peare by the heat and extraordinary burning that will be felt in the member and place where it resteth, then doe you take a little of the oile of excetor, the which you shal [Page 135] haue at the Apothecaries, after vi. d or viij d the ounce: and keepe it in a little glasse, and when you haue occasi­on to vse it, put two or three drops in a spoone, and at morning and euening rub and chafe it well into the place where the griefe lieth: and when you haue so done, moi­sten a fine linnen cloath in the oyle and wrap about the place, and wet another cloath also to keepe it warme and suppell: for otherwise if it take cold it will not be cured. Also, if it fall out that the straine doe happen on any of the tallent or pownce ioints, whereby you doe perceiue that place onely to swell, take heed how you do launce or cut it, for that is a very tender and dangerous place to o­pen, and amongst the sinewes where it may proue a long continued sore: therefore, when anie such thing doth light on that place, then first take your coping yrons and cut that talent to the quicke, and let out a pretty deale of the ranke, and distempered blood that otherwise would conieale and settle in the place and hardly after be remo­ued, then haue some old knife readie hot in the fire, and seare it to stay the blood; which done annoint the pained place well with the sayd oyle of Excetor, and wrappe a cloath about it well oyled, then you must haue like the finger of a gloue of lether to pull ouer all with the talent out, and so make it fast with a drawing thred, that you may open it and conuaie in a little oyle at the top to keepe it moist and suppell withal: and so let it tarrie on all the weeke, and this oile and this order well obserued and Kept with warmth and rest, will cure her for certaine: for this is a very speciall thing to comfort the sinnewes ouer­strained, and to cure & asswage the anguish of the straine, and bring it to right perfection againe, as hath been of­ten proued,

CHAP. XXXVII. To cure a sodaine or newe swelling that commeth by a blowe, bruse or any other accident vnto the legges or feete.

TAke some of the oile of baye, and some aquauitae, and beate them well together, and therewith an­noint and chafe the swelled place very well, and when you haue so done, wet well a linnen cloath in the same oile, and wrap about it: Also with another cloth, or els a coat of leather to keep it warme, that no aire may pierce or touch it: and this assuredly will asswage the swel­ling, take away the paine, and bring it to the right temper againe: Also for the like griefe, if you haue not this oile of baies in a readinesse, then in stead thereof take a little of your Bacon grease, that hath beene skimmed and preser­ued from a pot, wherein Bacon was boiled by it selfe; and vse it either by it selfe; or with Aquauitae, annointing and chafing gently and well the pained place therewith, and assure your selfe it will amend it: for there is not a more better thing for any new swelling that commeth by acci­dent: And furthermore doe you remember that whereas in al these things I haue aduised you to keep them warme and giue rest, so also you must be sure to doe so long as there is any defect remaining, or left behind in the mem­ber. For otherwise if you doe apply these things neuer so often, or any other whatsoeuer can be found, or imagined to be meet, and fit to be vsed to such purpose, and omit o­thers the principals in the like cases: namely ease and war­meth, with good vsage, your labour is ill bestowed, and whatsoeuer you haue done, it shall profit you nothing at all: For these are but members and branches of the body, and haue their particular nourishment and ease from the [Page 137] same. And therefore to distemper (that) you doe hurt vn­to all the rest, and surely many Hawkes are spoiled, and haue their liues shortned onelie with ill gouernment, and disorder in these cases in spight, of the best appliments in the world.

CHAP. XXXVIII. For the falling sicknesse in a Hawke which you shall perceiue by her dizimes.

TAke a handful of the leaues of pellitarie of Spaine and stompe it and streine it: Then take a spoone­full of sallet oile, and mingle them well together, & put into each eare three or foure drops, and also some into her nares, and by and by sucke it all out at her nares againe, or as much as you can get out, and this will cure her of that disease: but be sure to keepe her warme after in some darke place, or els in such a hood that will afford her no light at all, or otherwise if she will be quiet cleane with­out a hood.

CHAP. XXXIX. To cure the biting of a mad Dog.

IF by misfortune your Hawke should bee bitten with a mad Dog, as it hath been my owne hap so to haue a cast and in great danger of their liues, then at the very first bee ye sure that you doe make water as forcibly as you can into the wound, where you shall perceiue and see the blacke and cloddered blood to lie, for that is the na­ture of the venomous infection thereof so to doe, but thereupon you shall see it to bleede out fresh and kindly [Page 138] blood, which if it so fall out, it is a speciall meanes of the cure; whereas otherwise if it haue but any time to rest, it wil so disperse and spred it selfe into euery part and mem­ber, as that it will be vncurable: then when you haue done and clipped away the feathers, that you may come con­ueniently vnto the place, you must apply vnto it twice a day as much of the perfect balsome as the wound shall deserue to haue: Also you must giue her inwardlie for three or foure daies, with her meat a little of Vnicornes horne in powder, or otherwise of Harts horne: and with this I haue most assuredlie cured a cast that was most cru­ellie bitten and torne.

CHAP. XXXX. Another very good medicine against the biting of a Mad dog.

BEe sure at the very first to make water into the wound: Then take some of the keenest onions you can possiblie get, and beat them as small as may be, then take some salt and honie and put into the same thing to the vnions, and there beat and mingle all together, and make thereof a salue, and applie it vnto the bitten place, and this wil take away the paine and sorenes, and destroy the poison, and the Hawke shall doe well.

CHAP. XXXXI. To cure any new wound that may befall vnto your Hawke by accident.

TAke the downe that commeth of cardus benedictus when the seed is ripe, and applie vnto it onely, and it will cure it without anie paine.

CHAP. XXXXII. To kill the ranckenesse and itching that sometimes will bee in Hawkes bloody feathers, which is the cause shee puls them forth in that estate.

SOme Faulconers when they find their Hawkes or Hawke thereunto disposed, wil presentlie to preuent the same ill qualitie that shee is prouoked vnto, all to balme or annoint her feathers, and place where they grow, with some kind of bitter and noisome thing; but that onelie will not serue the turne, because as I shewed, shee is vnkindly vrged thereunto thorough a rancke and itching quallitie that the same feathers are possest withall, by meanes of some blow or bruse they haue by mischance taken in their breeding and growing: and to cure the same take a pint of vineger of the best, and into the same put two rasins of ginger grated to dust, and let that boile a good space with two or three branches of rew, and when the vineger is much wasted, put in as much Allam as a wal-nut, and halfe a spoonefull of honnie, and let them all boile euen a little: Then take it of, and whensoeuer you haue occasion to vse it, warme a little of it, and with a fea­ther lay it on that, or those feathers that is amisse: And this will take the rancknes and itching quite away; besides if the feather haue beene much bruzed or crased, so it be crosse cracked it will heale and make it so sound that it shall shoot forth and doe well againe.