CHAP. I. Of the Goshawke compared with other Fowles of the aire, as they are vnreclaimed and wilde; and of the awe and fearefulnesse they haue of man aboue all other creatures.

MAny an Osteringer accounts that so soone as he hath reclai­med his Hawke, taught her to draw and come againe to his fist, that euen so soone he may presume and bee bold to goe with her to the field or couert, and make her doe his will; but it is not so. And he, whatsoeuer he [Page 2] be that so thinketh, shall be deceiued in his ex­pectation: for I haue knowne my selfe diuers and sundrie of the best mettelled Haukes, with that slight and and simple conceit to haue beene vtterly spoiled, euen quickly, and for euer bea­ten out of loue with their Keeper, his Spaniels, and the game hee hath flone and entered them first vnto; which shall hereafter more plainely appeare, and be proued vnto you.

First, you are to vnderstand, that all Haukes whatsoeuer in their owne nature and kinde, doe of all other creatures, that God hath made and framed to perfection, most dread and feare the man. As for example, do but obserue the wilde Hauke, or other Fowles that are bred in strange or forren Countries, where as few or no people be; let those birds that comes at passage into these parts or other places, and in their owne desires being moued thereunto, doe offer to fall or light whereas diuers and sundrie sorts of beastes or cattell be, yet without much timeritie or feare­fulnesse, they will very often and amongst them all euen make their stay: on the contrary part, whensoeuer they doe but fixe their eyes on one mās very proportiō, they wil not abide; no, they will hardly by any art, with stale annexed there­unto, be drawne or tempted to stoope within his view: which strange behauiour of theirs doth manifestly proue, and shew how timerous and dreadfull they be of him. Therefore if he doe couet to haue, or will haue one or any of [Page 3] those kinde of wilde Creatures to be at his com­mand and familiar with him, that by nature and kinde are altogether shye and fearefull of him; he must first when he hath them, draw and win them by his continuall louing and curteous be­hauiour towards them, in his art and outward manner of dealing with them. For of all Hawkes in the world (the Goshawke) as shee is a stately and braue bird to behold; so is shee also as coy, nice, and curious to be handled and dealt with­all. And will as soone obserue and vnkindly except against any rough or harsh behauiour from the man, towards her▪ on the contrarie, being artificially and kindly reclamed and vsed, shee will be as louing and fond of her Keeper, as any other Hawke whatsoeuer.

CHAP. II. Of the Spaniel, and the societie there ought to bee betweene the man, the Hawke, and himselfe.

THe Spanyel is so kind a creature, that of all other, Of the Spa­niell. the man doth most respect & chuse to attend & wait vpō him euery where, as well at home in his chamber, as at his table & trencher. And further, for his delight a­broad in al other places, so wel hee doth accept & account of his company: & truly no maruell why; but that he should be of him so well estee­med [Page 4] and delighted in. For it hath been affirmed of him for veritie, that if in the night-time there hath beene or should bee, any euill thing neere vnto his master, whom hee doth waite on, al­though hee is not bound or tied vnto him, but might therefore take to his feete and runne quite from him, yet otherwise he will be so ex­ceeding fond in his loue towards him, as that instead of that, he will stay still with him, and with lamentable mone and whining, will euen creepe and crawle about his legs to giue him warning. Furthermore, if in the day-time any euill fall through tempest of thunder, lightning, or any other euill blast, the poore louing Spanyel is sure of it to taste, to set his master free. And therefore of all other creatures, I hold him in his owne na­ture and kindly loue, to bee most neare familiar and in true subiection with the man, euer desi­rous to be with him, and neuer willing to be ab­sent, or out of the way from him, but still watch­full and diligent to doe him seruice. So likewise, of all other things, the Hawke in her owne incli­nation doth as much feare, and is terrified at the sight of him, hee being one so neere as in conti­nual society or company keeping with the man. Wherefore it behoueth euery one that loueth and desireth to keepe the Goshawke, to be so care­full, that by his arte and best indeuour, hee doe frame and fashion, as it were, a league of loue and familiar vnitie, betweene them, I meane the Man, the Hawke, and the Spanyel; the which to [Page 5] accomplish and bring to perfection, I will ac­cording to my owne iudgement and vnderstan­ding hereafter shew you.

CHAP. III. Instructions for the Osteringer to obserue.

I Would haue you vnderstand, that as many a Falconer passeth ouer the time he hath with his Hawke, Hee that giues not due atten­dance, shall neuer attain to perfect knowledge. & for want of true knowledge & vnderstāding, neuer finds out that goodnes in her, which in her own nature & disposition she is able to performe. So also oft­times the Osteringer with his Goshawk doth spend his time in vaine, for want of the like knowledge & perfect experience in his arte; For a yong man to lye long in bed, and be sloth­full, is a vice dete­stable. for there is very few of that kinde, but through skill and painfull practise may be made good: if neither for Fesant nor Partridge, the which are most mens vsuall delights, yet for some other thing, whereby her Keeper may bee pleased, and shee her selfe de­serue a due reward. For all of them, as they are wilde and vnreclaimed, are able sufficiently to shift for themselues, and kill sundrie kindes of prey to sustaine their owne wants withall. If that be so, wherefore then should not a skilfull Keeper, by his arte, paines and discretion, cause any of them to doe the like for him?

CHAP. IIII. Of the difference in the manner of flying of the Goshawke, compared with the other, which the Osteringer ought to obserue.

Difference in their flight. HEre is further to be noted, that as in the obseruation of euery Falconer, there is much difference in the maner of flying of their long winged Hawkes to be marked: so al­so is there by the Ostringer with his shortwinged Hawke, as great a matter to bee obserued: for as some Falcon or lōg winged Hawke being flone to the field, is as it were, vnable to ouertake the Par­tridge at the first flight on forhead, but is taught by nature, and also enforced further by nurture, to clime and mount aloft vpon the marke, for her better aduantage, and after that manner kill it at the downe come: so on the contrary there is some others, that onely trusteth to their swift­nesse, [Page 7] to prey at their will and pleasures on what they listeth. Likewise for the short-winged Hawkes, they are as much different in their kind; for the swift and fast flying Hawke doth master her prey, when shee is disposed, and forceth it to yeeld through the swiftnes of her main wings: contrariwise, the flower flying Hawke or slugge doth winne what shee gets most by her pollicie, wherein being reclaimed, shee ought to bee taught & furthered by the industry & art of her Keeper.

CHAP. V. Of the nature of the Goshawke compared with the Lanner, for her soundnesse and long la­sting; the which dependeth vpon the well ordering and gouerning of her Keeper.

THe Goshawk is a Hawk of a hot nature, She is euer free of di­uers infir­mities that other Hawkes be subiect vnto. & stronger cōstitution thē any other Hawke that I my self haue knowne, of what kind soeuer: for in my obseruatiō she is sel­dom, or not at al, subiect to be liuer shot, neither euer to haue the fellāders, both which infirmities are very rife & familiar with our other ordinary Hawkes, and also proceeds from much coldnes, the one of the liuer, the other of the stomacke; from colde, but of heate from colde: because when the Hawke is once liuershot, at that time [Page 8] the liuer is both cold and rotten; which for the most part, first doth proceed of some violent heate taken by extraordinary meanes and euill vsage; and therefore, I say, from immediate and present cold, and of foretaken or former heate. Also, when shee is in the meanest and poorest estate of her body, what meate soeuer passeth thorow her, is euer conuerted and turned in­to a liquid and thin substance; which sheweth plainely the power of her naturall heate and strength of body, The power of her natu­rall heate. so long as life remaineth in her.

The Lanner and Lanneret are accounted hard Hawkes, & the very hardiest of any kind that are ordinary, or in common vse amongst vs at this present time: for whēsoeuer cōmendations shal be by many men giuē of the Goshawke or Tarcel for their long lasting, or liuing; they will simply say they bee as hard as the Lanner. But that ought not to bee so affirmed or beleeued, but with some exception, as touching the iudge­ment and skill of their Keeper, Care in the Keeper pre­serueth life. to be performed towards them in good rule and order, at al times fitting for them; and then I will ioyne with them, and say indeed, they bee sound Hawkes, and as sound and hard of ward as the Lanner; for you are to vnderstand thus much of her natural inclination, which is, that shee is a Hawke full of stoutnesse and courage, and will not incline her selfe, neither be forced to be conformable in any reasonable & meane temper vnto her Keepers [Page 9] will, in the time of her pride and fulnesse; when as shee ought by labour and practise, to bee in­seamed and made readie for his purpose, but is and will be frowardly disposed, The nature of the Gos­hawke. and prone to vnrulinesse and extreame bating in that season; which is the cause generally that one of them requireth more labour and attendance of her Keeper, then any other Hawke whatsoeuer of contrarie kinde: neuerthelesse, oftten­times through these extreames, and in those times, they doe haste and shorten their owne dayes.

Contrariwise, as touching the Lanner, for the most part shee is as meeke and gently dispo­sed, The gentle disposition of the Lan­ner. and seldome or neuer will of her owne ac­cord, or through other prouocation bee made to bate, or forced to any extraordinarie vnruli­nesse during the time of her inseaming; but will wholly dispose her selfe to quietnesse, and endure all things continually with patience; which is the onely cause, and wherefore those kinde of Hawkes by all reason must needs ouer­last the other.

CHAP. VI. Of the skilfull Ostringer, and how he may through his negligence as soone destroy and kill his Hawke, as one of more slender iudgement.

HEre is the difference in their se­uerall kinds, and it resteth to bee confirmed, as I haue said before; by the skill; and not onely that, but also the care and diligence of their Keeper: for if he be neuer so good a Faulconer or Ostrin­ger, yet may be through negligence and muta­ble affections, oft-times suffer the soundest and hardiest Hawke to decay and perish for want of due attendance.

The fruits of carelesse­nesse in the skilful Kee­per.For I haue my selfe beene acquainted with some speciall Falconers, whom, if I were dispo­sed, I could name; who, for their skill and expe­rience in their art, haue beene perfectly able first to reclaime, inseame, and make their Hawkes to flye; and after with great skill and iudgement to order and manage them in their flights du­ring that season: but afterwards hauing finished and concluded the same, being returned to their home, would there set them downe, and as it were, vtterly disclaiming all former acquain­tance had with them, would there let them [Page 11] sometimes sitte, and other sometimes hang by the heeles, betaking themselues for that day or night wholly, to Tables, Cards, Tobacco, or some other such vaine delights, whereby and through which cause they haue wanted their dues, their dayes haue beene shortened, and their liues euen wilfully hasted on to an end.

CHAP. VII. Instructions for the yong man from the Mewe.

IT is meete the yong man that wants experience should haue such light and vnderstanding shewed him by rules and dire­ction, as that in his first lesson he may bee taught to discerne and know what difference there ought to bee in the dyet and manner of feeding, with the order belonging to his Hawke in her flying time, as al­so when shee is in the Mew, and during the time of her being there.

Therefore, if shee be a Hawke that hath beene formerly stone, and is to be taken from thence, The Mew. it is like shee will bee fat and full in the highest degree with rest and francke feeding; and there would be great danger in the sudden drawing of [Page 12] her, and it is vnusuall with men of any iudge­ment so to doe: wherefore it is necessarie that shee bee fed in the Mew twice euery day, with cleane drest and washt meat, for the space of six­teen or twenty daies before the intended time of her drawing, to the end shee may be at that time well inseamed of her bodie, Necessary instructiōs. and haue scoured forth of her pannell and guts such glot and fat­nesse, with other drossie substance, that was in­gendred and harboured there; by means wher­of shee will be perfectly freed from any danger that otherwise might haue happened afterward vnto her, through her bating or other forcible motion of bodie, as strugling, striuing, or such like at her drawing, or other times. Then will it be good time to take her from the Mew, when as you must haue a rufter hood in a readinesse very fit for her; from which time forwards she must be continually fed on the fist, after the ma­ner formerly prescribed; also to haue casting e­uery night duely bestowed on her.

This course, with continual cariage on horse­backe and on foote, must bee taken with her in her rufter hood some eight or ten dayes longer, and then take if off when you shall finde her to be well reclaimed and inseamed, and free from all danger, and ready to be called: and with dili­gence and paines therein, the next weeke will be as ready to flye; and after two or three flights at her first entering, may be put euen to hard fly­ing, and shee will receiue no harme thereby, she [Page 13] will be so perfectly inseamed; whereas otherwise with more haste shee may surfet on heat, or with hard and short feed, lose her flesh, and so be spoi­led for two whole yeares.

CHAP. VIII. Of the Goshawke taken from the Cage, with other obseruations for the yong man.

IF shee be newly taken from the Cage, If shee rest long in the cage, there will be great danger in the sodaine dealing with her, or those that fetches them from for­rain and strange Countries, and takes no more care in their trauell and cari­age, but only to dispose and deliuer them aliue heere amongst vs, for their owne benefite and commodities; There is very few or none of [Page 14] those Hawkes euer so ouerfraught with fatte or fulnesse of bodie, whereby she may take harme with any reasonable or ordinary bating, or stir­ring on the fist, for that shee hath beene former­ly and vsually acquainted with the same in her long and restlesse iourney: wherefore you need not doubt or feare, but euen so soone as your leisure will permit, after you haue her, to begin to practise and deale with her, and by your arte and best endeauour, together with your labour to man and reclaime her after the maner as shall be shewed hereafter; only noting and obseruing by the way these things. First, you are to re­claime and make a wilde Hawke and a bird of the ayre, that onely feares you, to become lo­uing and gentle vnto you, and also, as it were, to be sociable and familiar with you. Likewise she being by vnskilfull and carelesse former bad v­sage, with vnnaturall dyet and grosse feeding, suffocated and filled full of vncleanenesse and imperfection; you are through your skill and painefull practise, to purge and cleanse her of those grosse and superfluous humors, and make her a perfect Hawke, and readie with fitnesse to be reclaimed, and framed for what purpose soe­uer you intend to make her for.

And that these things may well bee accom­plished and brought to perfection without any artificiall medicine or scouring: you shall haue the certaine and sure way deliuered vnto you by rule and instruction: yet I know there bee [Page 15] many men otherwise affected, and will hardly be perswaded to be thereto conceited. But let them be well aduised, for I speake not by heare­say or imagination, or from any other printed tradition, but by my owne experience and ap­proued conclusion, as shall appeare hereafter; yet I may imagine I should not need to vse ma­ny words for perswasion, knowing that many experienced Ostringers vnderstands the same: and for my owne part I can iustly affirme that I haue kept some few of the kinde, whereof one of them liued with me aboue a dosen yeare, and neuer had, during that time, any kind of physick giuen vnto her; and therefore so farre, as out of my owne knowledge I may, I do wish the yong man, that these following directions may be his direct and setled course in the reclaiming, in­seaming, and keeping his Hawke.

Vse onely a right and good order in her dyet, Instructions for the yong man. with sweete meate at all times cleane dressed, and reasonably washed, or according as he shall find her of gentle or stubborne nature; & also a mea­surable quantitie to bee giuen vnto her so often as hereafter he shall be further instructed: like­wise with casting duely bestowed on her, if he findes her to be sound, and to like of casting of woollen, then let her haue it; but otherwise let it be such as agreeth best with her owne nature; for there be many right sound Hawkes of that kinde, that will on euery great gorge, through the long keeping of such woollen castings, much [Page 16] distaste them; the hot stench and sauour of them wil be so noysome and disagreeing with the sto­macke, that workes and striues for the time to disgest what it receiues into it, The nature of the sto­macke. vntill it findes, as it were, a certaine contending or vnnatural wor­king against it selfe; & being in nature vāquished and ouercome by the same, it is constrained to yeeld and free it cleerely of it, by restoring or re­turning it backe to him that gaue it.

And to preuent this loathing, or dislike of this kinde of casting, or any euill that might in­gēder or grow therby: I haue many yeares past left off to giue any of them to my Hawke at the night-time, neither at any time to keepe within her bodie aboue one houre, or two at the most, by my good will. Which course I haue found to be very agreeable with any Hawke in health, or in meane estate, and to preuaile as much with her, in scouring or clensing the place that har­bours or containes it, of all superfluous matter therein contained, to the desired wish or con­tentment of the beholder: for whose further sa­tisfaction, I will heere briefely make it plaine vn­to you.

If you haue read ouer my other booke of Falconrie, you may remember, or if you do reade it, there you shall finde, that I haue written and discoursed of Castings sufficiently; and shewed the yong Falconer, how hee may at the first ma­king of his Hawke, eyther make her therein to loue her casting euer after; or otherwise for want [Page 17] of knowledge cause her euerlastingly to hate the same, or at least alwayes to bee nice and vn­willing to take it; which is one most vile condi­tion, and doth condemne the Keeper, The casting either in his iudgement or carefulnesse, or both; for the best or skilfullest that is cannot gouerne such an Hawke as shee ought to bee. And because I haue writtē so largly before, I wil now briefly let you vnderstād, that at the first reclaiming & making, is the time to teach her, when as with good meat cleane dressed and washed, and reasonable gor­ges of the same, with the like time adioyned, you must get her a good stomacke before you prof­fer her one casting, and then shee will not bee nice or curious to take it; alwayes being minde­full that it be no more in quantitie, but that she may well and easily swallow; and then when she hath so done, presently put on her hood, and suddenly giue her one bitte or two of meate to please her withall; then make a little stay, vntill you perceiue assuredly that shee hath put it downe into her pannell; which being perceiued put on her hood againe, and giue her a reasona­ble supper: and this course it is fit should be ta­ken with her continually, as after the receit of her casting, as you haue heard, to let her sit in her hood vntill shee hath put it into her pannell, and you shall see it will not be long before shee will vnderstand what shee should doe; and in all loue vnto it, will hasten without any nicenesse to take it euen of it selfe, expecting a present re­ward [Page 18] after shee hath receiued it; also otherwise it is very necessary to hold this course. For I haue seene my selfe some men, that before their casting were any whit downe their Hawkes throate, Disorder in the giuer of casting. would follow her so hastily with meat, that shee hath beene almost choaked: but how­soeuer, it will oftentimes very much molest her in her putting ouer and imbowelling; the which you way perceiue by her often writhing, and great trouble in trauersing with her necke and whole body.

On these considerations, after my Hawke is well in seamed, and in flying, I faile not, so neere as I can, to giue her plumage euery night when I feed her vp: contrariwise, when shee doth rest from her labour, then I feede her very cleane without any casting at all, and so doe set her vp to rest: Of casting. then doe I cut and fashion a casting of woollen to my liking, and lay it in faire water all night, and the next morning doe rise very ear­ly, and doe offer her the same, well soaked, coo­led and washed; the which shee will not refuse to take willingly, sitting still on her pearch, being formerly wonted and accustomed vnto it, and will put it downe into her pannell; and within some houre, or thereabouts, when her stomack hath wrought vpon it, and findes little or no commoditie gained therby, then doth her emp­tinesse and eager appetite to her breakfast, natu­rally prouoke her by casting to make her readie to prepare her selfe for the same: at which time, [Page 19] for your further experience, you may behold what a faire and delicate casting it will be, with­out any ill signe or shew in it; which otherwise would haue appeared, by the length of time continued.

Thus in my owne obseruation I haue gathe­red, that this kinde of casting is not fit to be gi­uen vsually at the night time vnto the soundest Hawke of this kinde, especially with any store of meate that may giue cause vnto her to keepe it long: for triall whereof, you shall perceiue in the morning that it hath vexed her in her stomacke, and hindered her digestion, and that shee hath beene wearie of it with detaining it so long. For triall whereof, oft-times it forceth her to cast be­fore her due houre, or that shee hath perfectly indued her supper, The effects of woollen casting. which will appeare in the co­lour of it, that will be of a blacke burnt or taw­nie, and withall clammie, with muddie and bloudie water in it very often, euen in the soun­dest Hawke that is.

Thus doe I leaue it to your considerations, whether it can be fit or meete to be giuen vnto a sickly or crasie Hawke, or no, when the soundest that is cannot well nor alwaies brooke it. There­fore, by my aduice, if any man will needs giue it at the night, let it be but with smal store of meat, and also let her haue some plumage with it. There be some men that vse to giue stones with saliendine, and castings of hassell, that will swell dangerously, and grow too bigge without great [Page 20] care be had in the vndersizing of it; the which many are much ouerseene in, and oftentimes o­uerstraine their Hawkes with too great castings of such kinde, as will not with her inward and naturall working be so fashioned and mollified, as that she may cast it again with any reasonable easines, or without much preiudice to herselfe.

Also others doe vse to giue quilles and such like vnto these kind of Hawkes, both in their in­seaming and flying time: but for my owne part I ioyne not with them in the like opinion, but rather doe esteeme of them as vaine and super­fluous imaginations, and conceits proceeding from mutable and vnconstant affections, then from any effects of certentie or probable con­clusions: only this hath been mine own course, when I haue found my Hawke any whit to di­staste or dislike of such kinde of vnnaturall cot­ton castings, I sodainely left them, and did be­take my selfe to Iukes, and sometimes to Hares or Conies feete, the bones and wooll well bro­ken together; the which I neuer found to disa­gree any whit with her, The natu­rall casting is best. but alwayes hath wrought to good purpose, and the like effects in her. And whosoeuer he be that is cleanely in his manner of dyet or feeding, and for the quan­titie, with the carefull ordering of the same, most assuredly shall neuer haue any occasion to vse such kinde of extraordinary courses. Yet I know there bee many men that would haue their Hawkes to flie well, and bee at their com­mand, [Page 21] with grosse and bloudie meate giuen and continued vnto them, Of bloudy meate giuen to string Hawkes. euen as if they were still in the Mew; and they will not through any coun­sell bee aduised from that course, although they plainly perceiue what inconuenience belongeth vnto it: as first, they wil seeme and make shew to be, as it were, blind & carelesse, whē they should be most careful & watchful to see & fly for their own reward, & content of their keeper: also they wil loyter & sit drowsily behind, whē they shold be most diligent to attend & draw after thē, The effects of grosse feeding. nay although they fal to raling or soring quite away from them, yet they will be so shallow witted or otherwise selfe-wil conceited, as either they can­not or will not iudge of the true cause of their idlenes or disobedience towards them, which is nothing but the imperfectnesse of the stomack, that is grown so cold, & glotted with foule feed vnwasht, & great gorges. I do not deny, but that hot and bloudy meat is necessary & good, if he that giues it knows when it is fit to bestow it, o­therwise it auaileth nothing towards the effectu­al working of his desire. For example, take the wilde Hawke from the Cage, Difference betweene the Hawke in the Mew and the o­ther that is flying. or otherwise from the Mew the Hawke that hath beene flone, and continue your former wonted manner of fee­ding with bloudie meate vnto her, although diuiding the same with your best discretion, and taking away the fatte and grossest sub­stance from it; also to plye her with casting, carriage, and all the paines with watching, and [Page 22] whatsoeuer else belonging, vntill you haue made her so familiar and gentle, as you can de­uise or desire, in the house in company, or a­broad in hold. Yet neuerthelesse, if you omit, and be slacke to take the bloud away with well washing, you shall be new to seeke; for your la­bour is all in vaine, and shee will not bee reclai­med or forced to be subiect to your will, but wil continue in a manner towards you both wilde and ramage still, whensoeuer you shall crosse her loose abroad: and therefore I would haue to vnderstand, Order in the insea­ming. that the vnreclaimed and vnclean Hawke, of this kind or any other, ought to bee reclaimed, inseamed, and made to flye, with good meate cleane dressed and washed, and for these Hawkes, the water dryed out againe with a faire cloath, and a continuall course held in the same all their flying time, vnlesse on due consi­deration and iust cause being moued to the con­trarie; as vnto a sicke or crasie Hawke, with due respect vnto the eyes, What shee gets by the labour of her body & the vse of her wings thriues best with her. Francke fedde with rest breeds imperfection and glots the stomack. or hot and eager mettelled Hawke; as also vnto the soundest and hardest Hawke that is, as when shee shall haue continual hard flying, and kills often, then may you with boldnesse, and discretion in the quantitie, giue vnto her bloudy rewards, and three or foure times in the weeke suppers of the same, as of Partridge or Fesants heads and neckes, or any o­ther good meate; alwayes being mindefull in time of rest, that then you faile not to feed with meate cleane dressed, hard washed and dryed a­gaine, [Page 23] to hold the stomacke right and sharpe withall; The sto­macke. for otherwise (that) being dulled and ta­ken away, there is no content to be had, nor sub­iection to be looked for abroad, when shee is at libertie and her owne disposing, but altogether offensiuenesse and vexation. For as I haue of­ten told you (that) is the only marke you ought to ayme at, it ties and binds her to all other con­ditions you can desire to haue her furnished withall. And on the contrary, it seuers and se­parates asunder the one from the other, and makes her as a wilde and vntamed Hawke. Also it is very necessary that this one thing be well obserued all the flying time, either to the field or couart, but especially during that time, The cou [...]. because then for the most part, the weather is disposed to sharpnesse and cold: for which cause you ought not to suffer any Hawke of that kinde to be fasting too long; The incon­uenience of long fasting. for it breedeth much winde in them, the which they are all subiect vnto, and wil appeare often with a rising in the gorge, and a noise withall of croking; the one may bee felt with the hand, and the other heard with the eare; and therefore both are as easie to bee iud­ged of: likewise the rye and the cray very much attendeth on the same, and it is a special meanes, with cold adioyned, to take off her flesh, which at that time of the yeare will not very easily bee put on againe, vnlesse shee bee a right sound Hawke: and on this impouerishment attendeth many other infirmities. Therefore to preuent [Page 24] these or any other that may grow thereon; you ought to prouide for euery Hawking-day a rea­sonable meale of cleane dressed meat, the which you must keepe in a faire cloath: then in the morning, That your Hawke be not kept fa­sting too long for her flying. suddenly after shee hath cast, giue her one bit when her hood is on. Also if you chance to spend an houre more before you finde your flight, giue her another bit; and so after this manner in your owne discretion. Afterwards, during the time of your recreation and sporting abroad, compare or equall so your meate with the length or shortnesse of time, as that she shall neuer be ouer emptie, yet neuerthelesse shal euer haue a perfect appetite, and good courage to fly after the best manner, and a well able and strong bodie to maintaine the same withall, which o­therwise through long fasting would soone bee weakened and brought to poore estate. Also, as touching cold meate, Of cold meate. whensoeuer you doe feed with any of it, it shall profit you nothing to wash it, so be it be cleane; for the bloud therein being cold, the strength therof for the most part is decayed, by which meanes it hath lost the principall force and vigor of it, through the which it would the better haue fed and nourish­ed: I will aduise no man to vse it, but as seldome as he may, for a continuance of it breeds pouer­tie and many other diseases. On the contrary, to feed with hot meate, The benefit of good [...]eate. although at that time to be reasonably well washed and dried, it holdeth health and strength together, withall preuenting [Page 25] the most, and continuall striuing against all ma­ner of diseases. And forget not whensoeuer you set your Hawke downe off your fist hoodded or vnhoodded, to rest, to weather, to bathe, Of setting your Hawke downe to rest. or for what cause else soeuer, that you come not to take her vp againe to your fist, without vsing your voice in whistling or chirping vnto her, also with some bit of meat or a stumpe to please her withall; for so shall you worke in her an euer­lasting loue and desire of your comming and company: whereas otherwise to come vnto her stilly or silently, suddenly or rashly to take her vp to your fist from her naturall desire of quiet rest, Of taking her vp a­gaine. and to bee alone without such kinde vsage and louing content, it stirs vp in her, her owne naturall disposition, which is vnto anger and feare, and to hate the societie and company of the man, desiring alwayes to bee at libetie, and out of his possession.

Also remember at all times you set your Hawke on her pearch hoodded, that shee may not haue vnderstanding or perfect knowledge where it standeth; for if shee haue, shee will al­wayes haue an vnquiet longing to be there, and will not rest quietly on the fist after shee is once within the dores; and especially vntill shee bee throughly reclaimed and made flying, and hath beene wel flone, your fist for the most part must be her pearch, and she ought to know no other; for they bee Hawkes that in their first making, with a little rest will quickly forget what for­merly [Page 26] they were taught, and returne to their wildenesse againe.

Also, whensoeuer you shall preceiue her to be vntoward or frowardly disposed, An obser­uation by the Hawke. you ought not to resist her with the like behauiour, as many a cholericke and hasty man will do; for shee will quickly perceiue and obserue it, and her loue wil abate and be turned into disdaine, The pati­ence of the Ostringer towards his Hawke. which at the present time you shall perceiue to appeare by her strange and scornefull countenance in be­holding you; but you must alwayes be prepared and armed with patience and gentlenesse to en­dure her vnquietnesse, and euermore haue some stumpe in a readinesse to appease her anger, and quiet her withal, when you shal see her addicted thereunto, vntill you haue reclaimed and made her gentle indeed. And whereas I formerly ad­uised, not to carry your Hawke fasting too long for her flying, but to distribute her portion vnto her by bits, as time and occasion should serue: so likewise I doe wish that in the time of in sea­ming and reclaiming, An order to be vsed at the first re­claiming. you doe not at any time giue her, her dinner altogether at one time, for thereby you shall prolong and deferre so much the more the time of her making; for so soone as her stomacke is satisfied and filled, her appetite and desire towards you is choaked, and vntil the houre of feeding growes neere againe, her mind and remembrance is cleane off on you; whereas otherwise, as I haue said, to diuide it in the fore-part of the day, and let her iumpe often to the [Page 27] fist for it, she will still be mindefull on you, and neuer forgetfull, but alwayes, and inwardly in her minde attending and listening for your voice, and some other pleasing reward from you, and shee will so much the sooner be made a perfect Hawke. There is no man that can at the first sight of his Hawke truly iudge of her nature and disposition, but therein shall be much de­ceiued, they are so different in their kind; where­fore it behoueth euery one to be carefull, and re­member, at that time when shee is first to be en­tred, An obser­uation at the first en­trance. that then he sets or puts her vpō the highest point or pin of hunger, doubting, as it were, the worst of her, or making question of her good or bad inclination; for thereby he shall suddenly perceiue and plainly see, all the spirit and mettle that naturally is in her; for when shee hath once taken her prey, whatsoeuer it be, although shee should bee of a dull disposition; yet by that meanes shee will rather choose to die then for­sake it, shee will be so pinched with appetite and desire to enioy it; wheras otherwise the stomack being vnperfect, the least occasion that may be, The fruits of an imper­fect sto­macke. as the approch of her owne Keeper, or any other man, the appearing either of horse or dogge, or what strange sight else soeuer, will be sufficient to cause her to forsake it, and go her way; which ill condition shee will remember afterward, and be alwayes apt on the least occasion to doe the like againe.

CHAP. IX. Of the Hauke that will not endure or abide the sight of the hood.

EVery man, though he would neuer so faine, cannot bee so exquisite, as to performe the slight and nim­blenesse of that arte, by quicke and cleanely conueying the hood on, a­boue the hand, in regard that those kinde of Hawks be naturally more coy and curious to be handled about the head then any other be; for which cause there be many men, that when they doe assay to put on their hood, doe eyther quite misse them, or otherwise put it halfe way or loosely on, An error in the Keeper. which greatly offendeth the Hawke; neuerthelesse to adde more anger and vexation [Page 29] to her, they will vse the arte of bobbing with their hand or finger, vntil they haue euen almost caused her to fall backward for feare, before she can be hoodded: this is a most vile qualitie, and vnseemely to be vsed to any Hawke, and especi­ally to one of this kinde; for it will in the end beate her quite out of loue with the very sight of the hood, or with the mouing but of the hand towards her head, although shee were ne­uer so gentle before.

And therefore I doe wish euery one that would haue his Hawke gently disposed that way, to forsake that one vnseemely qualitie or vndecent order, and accept of another rule at my hand, which heere I shall expresse plainely and truely vnto you; and with the which I haue my selfe made diuers Hawkes, that hath beene frighted and feared in the highest degree, to be­come most louing and gentle againe.

I doubt not but there be many will think this to be a very hard matter to performe, conside­ring it neuerthelesse is a thing vnusuall, and hath seldome or neuer beene seene. For triall wherof, let him that hath such a Hawke, if he cannot doe it himselfe, send her vnto me, and if I doe not make her as gentle as hee can desire shee should be, then for twentie shillings I will forfeit vnto him twentie nobles; and I will heere shew you the manner and way how to perfect the same.

CHAP. X. To make the Goshawke gentle, and to loue the hood, that hath with ill vsage beene bea­ten out of loue with all before.

DVring the time by day or night, that you doe carry one of these kind of Hawkes on your fist, that hath bin bobbed with the hood, as we may terme it: doe you also carry a hood of some note, Obserue wel this order. I meane for the colour, on your finger, that may wel be seene and viewed by her, as it hangeth there▪ but beware that you doe not show it as yet with your other hand vnto her, but there let it rest daily for a weeke together in her sight, that she may also feed close by it: then [Page 31] this being so done, alwayes after when you feed take it gently in your other hand, and moue and stirre it about her meate, that shee may touch it as shee eates; doe thus another weeke: euer re­membring, that after she hath fed, it may rest on your little finger againe in her sight, till the next time, and yet not to be feared with it. You shall vse this course, vntill you see that without any feare shee will but thus endure it; which being perceiued, you must then hold your meat in the hand that shee sitteth on, and with the other hand hold the hood by the tassel vpon her meat, mouing and stirring it, as though you would keepe her from feeding; but it must bee done softly and gently, when as you shall perceiue that shee will then striue to feed besides it: then with lesse shew or appearance of meate in the hand, you shall hold the hood by the tassell iust ouer the meate, that you may see in your owne discretion, that shee must needes eate cleane tho­row it: doe thus so long, as vntill you see that shee will feed and search boldly cleane thorow the hood for her meate, and eate it without any snatching or feare, alwayes being mindfull of the stomacke, then may you bee bold, as shee feeds, a little with your hand to moue the hood off and on the meate, and shee will take no of­fence at all.

Also, as shee is feeding, and doth thrust tho­row the hood for her meate, doe you beare the hood a little against her, and shee will hood and [Page 32] vnhood her selfe as often as you will haue her: then whereas before you ought to haue restrai­ned her, from taking too much hold of her meate; on the contrary, now when shee hath with your assistance put on her owne hood, let her cat freely vntill she hath done, and take it off no more vntill feeding time againe; and in this manner, within the moneth and lesse, shee will be wonne to hood her selfe with the least stump you doe carry about you, as often as you shall haue occasion.

And for those Hawkes, there is none that keepes them, but ought alwayes to haue some such thing about him: And then doe but iudge whether he were better to vse this ready course that will neuer faile him, then to bobbe at her aboue the hand vntill hee hath quite spoiled her.

And forget not, that if shee be a Hawke taken from the Mew, or otherwise, that you neuer be­ginne to practise this course with her, vntill her stomacke be perfectly come to her; for if you doe, it will marre her for euer, and shee will ne­uer be reclaimed againe; for it is that especially that draweth, and also forceth her to become louing and friendly to that which shee formerly hated.

Thus haue I heretofore in some sort shewed you, how strange and coy a Hawke the Goshawke is; nice and curious to be handled; how apte shee is to take dislike at any trifling toy: and [Page 33] therefore as I haue formerly aduised for other Hawkes, so especially for her, you had neede to to be more circumspect and carefull with all di­ligent heed at her first reclaiming and making; for as shee is then fashioned, shee will euer after with reasonable paines and gouernment frame her selfe towards you in all her actions. And I will heere, according to mine owne simple skill and order vsed in mine owne practise, shew you the way vnto the same.

CHAP. XI. To reclaime the Hawke from the Cage.

WHen you shall haue one of these Hawks brought first vnto your hand, it is meete that by your arte and best endeauour, you doe then prepare and [Page 34] make her readie to bee reclaimed after this manner.

Giue her a fortnights carriage or more as she is in her rufter-hood, Obserue this order. alwayes stroaking and playing with her, with your hand, or a feather in stead thereof; and also in her diet, to be as care­full to feed cleane with washed meate, by which meanes shee may be brought the sooner to haue a good stomacke, and be gentle and well pleased to be handled, which you shall finde afterwards to be a great benefit and furthering in her reclai­ming and making: then when you haue so done and taken that paines with her, and that you do finde her to bee gentle indeed, and pliable to your will; (the which you shall perceiue by her griping and listning to your voice, whistle or chirping, or eager feeding:)

Then hauing one euening your water with pepper prouided, and when you haue, accor­ding to the order and accustomed manner, well washed and peppered her, take off her rufter­hood, being sure to haue another that is fit and easie to be put on; and likewise afterward now and then, as you shall see iust cause, when as you shall find her so meeke and gently disposed, that you may doe what you list with her: whereas otherwise without this former paines and pre­paration, shee would altogether haue wanted a stomacke, and continued so much the longer, both rammage and wilde, the which would haue deserued much more paines and labour of [Page 35] her Keeper. But to returne, as shee groweth a little to be drie, put on her hood, and giue her a bit of good meate vpon it, to please and refresh her withall; and so holding this course to hood gently and vnhood, now and then not forget­ting her reward euer after it is on, vntill shee bee throughly dryed, and afterwards the most part of the night; then you may set her downe bare faced, to haue two or three houres sleepe or rest; and be sure it be in a speciall warme place, A good ca­ueat. and on a drie and warme pearch on high, for those kinde of Hawkes bee very subiect to take cold, and apte to haue the crampe on such occa­sions.

Thus when shee and your selfe hath taken a little rest, then see that you doe draw by degrees softly vnto her, with shew of meat in your hand, withall vsing your voice or tongue, with chir­ping and whistling vnto her, vntill you haue ta­ken her gently to your fist; when as diuiding one meale into seuerall parts, bestow it so on her for the most part after her hood is put on: and to continue this order with her in the day time for a while, it will be very good, vntill you doe finde her well reclaimed; for it will cause her to looke for the hood, and take delight to haue it put on, when shee shall finde her selfe alwayes so well rewarded and pleased afterward.

And as I haue heretofore giuen you to vn­derstand, that euery Hawke is not alike in their naturall disposition, but are much differing the [Page 36] one from the other: so also and therefore you ought to bee the more carefull to obserue and marke diligently how shee is disposed, and to order and rule her according to the same. For example, Obserue the nature of the Hauke. if you doe finde her to bee tutchie or nicely addicted, and curious to entertaine and accept of your hand and the hood to come neare her head; then must you forbeare to pra­ctise and bee doing often in the day time with her: but as I haue shewed you, seldome, but at her feeding, or else late in the night time, when as you shall finde her more willing to take the same.

Thus hauing so wel & perfectly accomplish­ed your desire in her reclaiming familiarity and imboldening: it wil now be good time to teach her to iumpe and come to the fist, euer being mindfull of the stomack that it may be perfect; for as I haue let you to vnderstand, how coy and stately a bird the Goshawke is, and whereas other Hawkes of contrary kinde are vsed to come to a Lure, throwne some distance from the man: contrariwise, shee being a Hawke of the fist, must, if she be vsed and taught as shee ought to be, be made to come home close to the body of the man, with boldnesse to his hand, and stout­ly with great familiaritie, and without any feare to seize and sit vpon the same, during his plea­sure; which shee will neuer bee forced to doe with all the arte in the world, if her stomacke be any whit imperfect.

[Page 37]But to returne; Haue care euer of the stomacke. when you haue taught her to iumpe readily to the fist, which is a thing so easie and ordinary with the simplest to be effected, as that I shall not need to prescribe any rule or or­der for the same. But afterwards, let the next steppe or lesson be not much more further from you, then that which we call iumping to the fist: Marke well how shee ought to bee called. but, as I haue said before, diuide one meale into more, and let her come and be called oftentimes in a day, if it be possible, and not aboue twentie or fortie yards at the most from the man, for a weeke or a fortnight together; which will so quickly and surely make her perfect, with such boldnes & familiaritie, as that she will neuer vn­derstand what it is to checke at the fist: but with this order and due time taken and ioyned toge­ther, will proue a certaine and bold commer, which is a speciall good qualitie in one of those Hawkes: besides, it will cause her to come and draw at any time of the day; for it is the tying and holding of those kind of Hawkes, to one meale, and one houre, which is towards the eue­ning, that causeth them not to come or draw vntill that time, An ouer­sight in the keeper. which vile condition the most of them be subiect vnto. Also, as I haue shewed you, to take good time in the making and tea­ching of her to come and to draw, before you offer her to flye, is the onely meanes to shew her selfe what shee is, and what mettle shee is of, and through which you may keepe her full lusty and strong, whereby shee may bee sufficiently [Page 38] able to performe what shee is put vnto. Many a man, The fruits of hastines. I know, is of a contrary opinion, and will

not stay the time vn­till his Hawke will rightly owne him­selfe, and bee also haile-fellow wel met with his Spaniels; but euen so soone as shee wil come a little way to his fist, al­thogh she neuer loo­ked vpon a dog in al her life before, will bid let her goe, for if shee will goe well, I care not for her comming; but he, whatsoeuer he be, let him assure himselfe he shall repent him of his speed.

And whereas many a man glorieth and dee­meth himselfe worthie of great praise and com­mendation, for his extraordinarie haste and ex­pedition: I doe maintaine the contrary, saying, there is no such cause of deseruing, for he com­meth on blindly and rashly, Vaine glory. without iudgement or consideration of what marke hee aymeth at; and when hee thinketh hee hath made a sound and a good conclusion, afterwards it shall bee found imperfect, The low and poore Hawke is euermore subiect to infirmitie. and hee shall be new to seeke, for his Hawke hath hardly bin taught one good qualitie or artificiall condition.

Also he cannot choose but pull off her flesh, whereby her haughtinesse is abated, which de­priueth [Page 39] her of her mettle and courage, and ab­solutely spoileth the Hawke: for there is not any one of that kinde that will flye well, how good soeuer shee either was or is, being any whit im­pouerished or brought low; neither will they last healthfull, but will bee alwayes subiect to sicknesse, through one infirmitie or other that ariseth thereon.

Therefore whosoeuer coueteth to keepe a Hawke of that nature and kind, expecting plea­sure and contentment from her, with health and strength together to maintaine the same, must not faile to take good time to teach her, and then by his arte and diligent endeauour he shall not be any way deceiued, but most assuredly shall finde all the spirit and mettle that natu­rally was carried or bred in her.

CHAP. XII. How and in what manner the Goshawke ought to be called loose, and taught to draw, and in what places, for the better auoiding of such in­conueniences as shee is subiect vn­to, and may befall in that time.

NOw will it be good time to let her be called loose, when as it is expedient that you doe shun all places neare vnto your own home, other houses or townes, to auoid such inconueniences, as through temptations may grow thereon, as Powltering or Doue-houses, and such like pla­ces, the which all those Hawkes be subiect vnto; [Page 41] and hauing once caught such an ill propertie, The spoile of the Hawke. they will very sedome or neuer bee reclaimed from it, but will follow it, how farre soeuer from any towne shee shall be flone; yet if shee be not suddenly serued and pleased, shee will not stay, but forthwith will fall to raling; neuer once loo­king backe to her Keeper, vntill shee cometh there whereas shee will serue her selfe too soone. To a towne.

And thus to consider what a toyle and vexa­tion this must needs bring to him that shall fol­low her; it would make any man care and couet with all diligence to preuent such a mischiefe at the first, before it doe come: the which to effect, this course you must take; walke with her to the young woods or groues betimes in the after­noone, hauing before prepared her stomacke fit and readie for the same purpose, Obserue this order at her first teaching to draw. and there put her vp into a tree, walking along from her into the winde, vsing your voice vnto her softly, as though you had Spaniels with you, and spake to them, but let it be especially with your tongue in whistling and chirping vnto her; by which meanes to cause her draw and follow after you with little noise, which if shee shall so doe, as there is no doubt, but that shee will frame her selfe according to your expectation; then suffer her not too long, but call her to your fist againe, and reward her a little with some bit of meate to please her withall; the which it is fitte you should haue in a readinesse wrapped in a faire [Page 42] cloath, vnlesse you haue either Pigeon, Rooke, or some other such like thing about you, out of the which you may draw a legge, and so content her.

After this, you shall put her vp againe, and so by your softest voice or whistle draw her along after you againe; for it is not good, neither con­uenient to vse a lowde voice or noise vnto her for diuers respects. Why you ought not to call her a­lowde. For first, it will be a meanes to teach her sit and loyter behind you, so farre as shee can heare you, which is one ill qualitie; otherwise somtime a man wil go with his Hawke where hee would be loath either to be heard or seen, as I must confesse, I haue done my self ma­ny a time; which he cannot do with such a one as first hath beene taught, and is still wonted to loude voices; but he must make, as it were, pro­clamation where-abouts he goes, and where hee is: whereas otherwise hee may goe safely and se­curely, and his Hawke will draw and follow him, as diligently and attentiuely, by meanes shee was at the first tutored and taught with a still voice or whistle.

Also your Spaniels will hunt within your command, and so neere you and your Hawke, as they shall neuer spring any thing out of her danger, but still where shee may commaund it: whereas otherwise in hearing of lowde noises they will range far off, and at randon, springing out of the way far from you; which wil be much displeasing both vnto the man and the Hawke.

CHAP. XIII. To make loue and vnity betweene the Ostringer himselfe, his Hawke, and his Spaniels; which is a speciall thing to bee obserued.

NOw that you haue after this foresaid rule and order pre­scribed vnto you, taught your Hawke to draw dili­gently after you, & to come againe as readily to your fist: It is as meete and necessarie that you doe prouide you of such Spaniels as you intend to Hawke withall: and because this Hawke is a bird very obseruing, and will quickly learne to know her Keeper, and be familiar with [Page 44] him, and seeme as strange and coy to let another man come neare her: also to haue such vnder­standing of Spaniels, as to know and loue one that shall be continually in company with her, and as it were to hate or be fearefull of another that comes but seldome to her: also many of the kind will be very fearefull, nice and coy of al dogges, and at the first sight will not abide or en­dure any.

Wherefore now that you haue formerly in all other points of perfection, by your arte, la­bour, and discretion, accomplished your desire with her: it is now that you ought through all diligence, to practise and labour to breed a fami­liar league of friendship, loue and vnitie be­tweene your selfe, To breede loue between the Hawke and the Spaniels. your Hawke, and your Spa­niels; the which to accomplish and bring to per­fection, take this course. At euery feeding time draw you all conueniently together, whereas you must let your Hawke feede amongst the dogges on your fist very oft; not one dogge or two, as I haue said before, for she will learne too soone to know him too well; but amongst two or three couple, or as many as you haue, and al­so to haue the dead pelt of a Pullet or Hen in a short cruce, and throwing it oftentimes from you in the thickest amongst them, that shee may flie from your fist, and eagerly choppe amongst them and seaze vpon the same; there suffering her to plume awhile, then take her vp againe with a stumpe to your fist, immediatly throw­ing [Page 45] it, as before, againe and againe euen in the middest of them: and this course you must vse euery day, vntill you doe find that shee will ven­ter very boldly, and without any feare, By this you shall know when your Hawke is ready to fly. amongst them all; and then you shall perceiue that shee will haue pereeiuerance and vnderstanding by the dogs remouing and giuing way with feare vnto her, that shee hath euen gotten the vpper hand and mastery of them; whereas otherwise to haue flone, or offered to enter her before, without these former preparations and necessa­rie courses, it had beene done rashly without iudgement; and there is not one Hawke amongst twentie, but would haue beene beaten out of loue both with the man, the Spaniels, and whatsoeuer besides hee had flone her vnto. And so I will omitte to speake any more of this point in this place, because I purpose to inlarge it fur­ther, as I shall pro­ceede here­after.

CHAP. XIIII. How you shall first enter your Hawke, and teach her flye to the field, and to order and ma­nage her there during that season.

WHen you haue, as I formerly ad­uertised, well reclaimed, imbol­dened and taught your Hawke to know and vnderstand her owne superioritie and command ouer her seruants: The Spa­niels. it wil be good to prepare and make her ready to fly, & it is meet to enter her first to the field, when as shee ought especially to bee skilfully ordered, flone, followed, and assisted; for commonly a direct and perfect beginning, doth giue proofe and cause of good effects and [Page 47] conclusion. Therefore your surest course is, to prouide, if it bee possible, three or foure hand Partridge, with a companion, friend, or seruant, and one couple of stanch Spaniels; then goe in­to the fairest field, hauing before prepared and armed your Hawke, with appetite and courage to flye after the best manner, for her owne re­ward, and giue content to the beholder; sand be­ing there in a readinesse, one of you shall goe neare hand from the other, The bushes. to some bushes or o­ther small couart of obscuritie to be shadowed, whereas hee shall spend his voice to the dogges, after the accustomed maner, vsing some blowes with his pole, and beating his harmelesse enemy withall, as from forth the same; he shall secret­ly let the Partridge spring, with such iudgement in the deliuery, that the Hawke may discerne and see it, and crying with a lowd voyce, Howe, Words of custome. howe, howe, that shee may haue vnderstanding, and learne to know the word of aduertisement or warning, when shee should at any other time looke about her, or be watchfull to take the best opportunitie offered at an instant vnto her, for her best aduantage.

This being well effected, and that the Hawke doth with spirit and mettle flye after and take it, The Par­tridge. be yee sure with all expedition and swiftnesse, that your Horse, or owne supporters may afford to get into her, and thereby stand and guide or guard her, that no dogge nor other cause may fright or feare her, whereby to depriue her of the [Page 48] prey shee hath so hotly pursued, so lately taken, and desireth so much to enioy and keepe within her owne possession; but with your licence and good leaue doe suffer her to plume and take her pleasure on the same: And with your further ayde and assistance, to take blood thereon, still hauing the Spaniels in sight close by her. All this well practised, then you must teach her to take the head in her foote, and eate it on the ground; and when shee hath so done, and looketh about her: hauing your Spaniels by you, throw the Partridge pelt, as before you had vsed to doe in her first teaching, once amongst the dogges, and let her take it, being in her leash, that shee may not carrie it from you; and whilest she sits there and plumes, make her supper readie; take her gently to your fist, and there content her: then walking towards your home, with ioy in your successe, and much good likelihood to haue no worse thereafter, you may well consider and determine of the next oportunitie, and after the same maner how to order and vse her; by which meanes, no doubt but you shall very suddenly attaine to your owne expected desire, and haue an excellent Hawke, and by all meanes flye her to the field all the first yeare, and let her not see the Fesant at all, for that will draw her loue from the Partridge, and make her giue them ouer; nay, he that will haue a good Hawke to the field of this kinde, Obserua­tion. must neuer let her see the Fesant at all, nor flye one flight thereunto; for the best of [Page 49] them will take more delight in the one, then in the other, and grow quite out of loue with the one for the others sake.

Now when you haue thus well and luckily entred and bloudded her with these Partridges, and also killed some three or foure more from the marke, at the reteriue, and that you doe per­ceiue by her, that shee once knowes a Partridge by sight; the whoorr, and other accustomed termes vsed, and will goe readily from the fist thereunto:

Be ye sure after, that al the forepart of the yeer you let her goe no more one flight in ten, neare vnto the rising of her game; for that will cause her to girde and master them, as it were, at the sowce, within a short space, being no way able in that season to make wing, to hold out before such a Hawke; Obserue wel this order. and also shee will afterward re­member and looke for the same order, and with­out it will not flie towards the latter end of the yeere; no, shee will make you beleeue shee sees them not at all, neither will flye after such a Par­tridge as shall be sprung farre from her, but to the next tree shee meetes withall, and being ne­uer so good a mettled Hawke, this course will spoile her; for shee will as well vnderstand the difference betweene the one and the other, as your selfe; and what shee cannot doe at hand, shee will neuer doe.

And therefore considering that this order and course held long at the beginning of the [Page 50] yeare, while Partridge be but weake, is sufficient to make slothfull, and to marre the best mettel­led Hawke that is, you ought to be more careful when you meete with another that is but of a dull disposition, and as sluggish of her wings: yet I haue seene such a one, through the arte and well ordering of her Keeper, hath proued a spe­ciall Hawke.

An exam­ple.It was once mine owne chance to haue such a one in my custodie, that in her falling I percei­ued to be very sluggish and heauie, which soone altered my opinion of her, and withdrew my former affection almost quite from her: yet on further consideration I began to think with my selfe, that seeing I had gone so farre with her, I would not so leaue her, for a little more paines, vntill I had had some further triall of her; and then this direct course I tooke presently with her.

It was very early of the yeare whē as I shewed her markt Partridge, that I sprung, and suffered to rest long after: of the which, and after this manner, shee killed me, in two or three dayes, some two or three brace, euen at the catch, in a very little space; in so much as I perceiued by her ready going, that shee knew them well, and also was very hot on them, and as busily dispo­sed with them, when shee had any one in her foote: which also shewed, as I deemed, some good loue in her towards them, and gaue mee some further comfort besides, and hope of a [Page 51] good conclusion. Afterward in processe of time it was my happe to shew her diuers Partridge, that were sprung further from mee, then shee was vsed to fly, to the which I offred my Hawke; but after the old prouerbe, Who so blinde, as hee that will not see? and so my Hawke would none, but cast her regards another way.

After which, I began to call to minde and consider of her ill nature, and also of my owne foolish and former error, how that I had too long at first taught her to snatch and catch them vp at sowce, and nuzled her too much therein: Likewise, that I obserued no times, but flew her at aduenture and out of season, as too early, or in the heate of the day: neither had I any due re­spect vnto her stomacke.

And thus all things being thought on, I de­termined to rest her two or three dayes: and whereas at the first, when shee pleased mee, I was too louing and fond on her, and also did too richly reward her (which hath beene a fault in my selfe, I am sure, and, I thinke, in many an­other.)

But to returne, during the time of rest that I gaue her, I fed her very cleane, and soaked her meate all the day or night in vrine, the which is a speciall. thing for a hard and dull mettelled Hawke of this kind, to whether a good stomack withall.

And when I had so done, I shewed her ano­ther couie of Partridge late in the euening, or [Page 52] towards the euening, for too late is as bad as to early for a Hawke to flye; but these sprung a great way from mee, and went all whole toge­ther: shee being at that time well armed with an eager appetite, and a good edge set on her, spurs sufficient to put her on, and pricke her forward after the best manner; shee well perceiuing of them, thrust her selfe vp from my fist a great height, and went after them, but altogether on playnes, euen Bussard like, yet neuerthelesse she did rightly marke them; and at my comming in to the reteriue, the Spaniels sprung one to her, the which shee flew very hard and killed: and af­ter this, hauing good respect vnto her stomacke, and also for a while obseruing well the time to­wards the euening, shee prooued an excellent Hawke, yet neuer mended the maner of her first flights, but alwaies flue them very jadishly, and made no haste at all: yet afterward, when Par­tridge were sprung, although shee went a fur­long behinde, shee would not faile to haue one often in her foote, the which I imagined shee did euer take comming cunningly; and especially after the leafe were off, you might haue ventu­red ten to one, in the woodlands she would not faile to haue one in her foote.

By this appeareth, that this Hawke did know her owne vnablenesse, and that shee were not fit nor able through the wightnesse of her wings, to make yeeld or master the fast flying Partridg, and that if shee had beene wilde, to haue shifted [Page 53] for her selfe, shee must haue vsed her policie to haue caught her prey, or else oftentimes to haue fasted.

Also this sheweth as plainely, how easily this or any other dul mettelled Hawke might or may be marred, for want of iudgement and skill in her Keeper, or otherwise by his arte and paines taking, bee make and taught to doe him right good seruice; although not altogether out of her owne spirit and mettle, yet through his arte and her policie.

Also you must haue this respect, and bee mindfull of one ill propertie that many of those Hawkes bee subiect vnto, which is, that when they haue flone a Partridge hard to any couart, An ill qua­litie to fall on the ground. and takes it not at the first flight, there will they sit still on the ground, and will not get vp to any stand for their better vantage; which is a most vilde, foolish, and dull condition.

Wherefore, as I haue before aduised at the first entrance, it is meete that you take but a few Spaniels abroad with you, and also to be such as you may command vnto you after you haue flone, vntill you haue sought and found your Hawke againe: for otherwise you shall neuer en­ter her; they wil euermore retriue the Partridge, that shee shall neuer see it as shee sits on the ground.

Therefore, to preuent the one in the dogges, To amend this fault. and to amend the other in the Hawke, take this course: when your Hawke hath flone a Par­tridge, [Page 54] make after with all speed that you can, taking your dogges with you, by your com­mand, and when you haue found her, be sure to take her vp, but not on your fist by any meanes, if there be either hedge or tree neere hand, but take her by the bodie or shoulders suddenly with both your hands, and throw her vpon ey­ther hedge, bush, or tree, and then beate for the Partridge, when as it is vnpossible but shee must needs see it, if it doe spring then; if shee flye af­ter and kill it after that manner, you can desire no more; for one so killed, is worth ten at the first flight, or otherwise from the ground. This course being wel followed, wil certainly reclaime her from that fault, & teach her to rise her selfe; for shee will quickly learne to vnderstand, that else shee shall be caught and toste vp; and so ha­uing some little feare of that one thing, and also knowledge that afterward shee shall enioy some pleasure and content thereby, shee will so much the sooner grow perfect, and jumpe vp her selfe.

Some man when he comes in to his Hawke, and findes her after that manner, on the ground, will presently draw forth some meate or other, A great er­ror. to take her to his fist withall, and there will hold her, expecting the rising of her game: but sure­ly it is great indiscretion in him so to doe; for there he teaches her with incouragement to sit still attending his owne comming to her, and al­so a present reward expected from himselfe, ne­uer [Page 55] minding the prey, shee had so hotly pursued before: but without his future care and best con­sideration, doth cleane forget the same: thus is shee quite ouerthrowne, and ten to one will ne­uer after learne nor care to know her best aduan­tage.

But some man may answere and say againe, Why? this course to take and throw her vp af­ter that fashion, must needs feare her, and make her vnwilling to come to her Keeper another time, when he shall be most desirous of her. But it is not so, for you are to vnderstand that it is not the Haggart, or right Rammage Hawke, that I meane; for you shall not once in your life­time know any of those Hawkes to haue that foolish condition.

But if it should so fall out in some one eager and hot mettelled Hawke, A good con­dition. that out of her excee­ding loue to the thing shee hath flone, doe at her first entrance a little sit, and hunt or seeke for it; and therefore to serue her so, it will bee no whit displeasing vnto her, but shee will so much the sooner (being luckily serued and pleased after) rightly vnderstand the fruites and meaning of the same, and also will loue her Keeper neuer the worse, but learne to know her better aduan­tage: and whensoeuer you shall finde a right Ramage Hawke to haue this qualitie, as at the fall of a Partridge to be downe and vp, to flye and to runne amongst the dogges and men with bu­sinesse, you may be assured, that with care now [Page 56] and then to vse her after that maner, with other good gouernment duely extended towards her by her Keeper, shee will most certainly proue a speciall Hawke, for in that kinde of behauiour shee truely shewes her good nature; her hot loue and eager desire to her game, and that in re­spect of (that) for the present time shee owneth neither man, horse nor dogge, nor any other thing, her minde is so bent of her pleasure.

A fault in the Eyas.But to leaue her, and returne to the Eyas, Brancher, or Puler, vnlesse they bee bred of the better crye; you shall haue many of them, nay, the most part of them will haue that one condi­tion, lasting and continuing with them a long time; and without this one remedie or meanes lately expressed, euen many yeers: which then I referre vnto you to be censured, whether a man were better to terrifie and feare her cleane out of her wittes, then so long to waite and stay, expecting her future and vncertaine deser­uings.

But to returne backe againe to the Ramage Hawke, Of the Ramage Hawke. An exam­ple. I will giue you an instance by the exam­ple of (one) the which I had of late time in my hand, and kept vnder my owne gouernment at the least a dozen yeares, and free from any one ill propertie or condition, during that time; but as I made her at the first, so I kept her to the end, and shee was a speciall Hawke for eyther Par­tridge or Fesant.

And this course, which here I shal prescribe, [Page 57] I tooke with her in her first making, keeping, or­dering and flying. In the beginning I perceiued her to be very tutchie and coy to bee handled, for which cause I tooke extraordinary paynes with her, and made her very louing and gentle to the hood, euen as any Falcon was: also to the dogges I found her, in my practise, inclined ac­cording to mine owne desire and expectation: And so to omitte other circumstances, course or order, as touching her calling, comming, or drawing.

To proceed, when I came to shew her Par­tridge, I found her as forward to flye, and bee entered, when as for a season I alwayes tooke off her hood, thereby to haue her both fit and rea­die to see and flye to the Partridge, that were to be sprung vnto her: but before I had vsed her long to that order of carying barefaced, which I thought to bee the most sure and best way to afford her the more quicke and speedie sight, shee was growne so vigilant with ouermuch stir­ring and vnquietnesse on the fist, that vnlesse the Partridge did spring very faire before mee, or that directly I knew by marke where it was, and carefully attended for the rising, it was ten to one the flight was in danger to bee lost, An incon­venience belonging to the Hawke that will not take the Hood. or as good it had so beene; for her trouble and busi­nesse on the fist were such, as that it were able with great vexation to draw the eye and minde of any man awrie from his desired pleasure: neither could there any dogge suddenly stirre, [Page 58] but shee would as suddenly bate; nor bird rise, but shee would bee as busily disposed, that it were altogether vnpossible to order and gouerne her as shee ought to haue beene. In this plainly appeareth, what quietnesse, securitie and con­tent of minde still attends on him that hath his short-winged Hawke taught to take the Hood

gently; & also what benefit, strength and courage it affords to her self, that may be alwayes safely kept, flone and gouerned: contrariwise, what diuersities of incon­ueniences waits vp­on her that will not endure the Hood to come neere her, but is accustomed euermore to be carried barefaced when she should be flone, especially to the field: for if shee be a right met­telled Hawke of spirit, desiring her sport and prey, it may be said of her to haue more eyes, then he of whom it hath beene affirmed to haue an hundred lights; for her continuall vigilancie will be such, for the appearing or rising of her desired pleasure, that shee will offer most conti­nually to goe for her aduantage vnawares to her Keeper suddenly. And therefore, in my opini­on, for many considerations, it is the most com­mendable & safe way, after one of these Hawkes [Page 59] be first entred, and onely knoweth a Partridge: then immediatly to teach her, and vse her to flye from forth the Hood, often bating at Partridge sprung to other Hawkes, Obserua­tion. discomforts and dis­courages her; so that when her turne is to flye, her edge is off, and her courage is lost. Therefore the melancholy man is fittest to be her Keeper, who best can brook to walk or ride alone, which shee will suddenly learne to doe, and as readily as a man can wish or desire; and also daily to sit and weather in the Hood, the which shee will be as well pleased withall, and neuer to take it off, as in custome: but when shee shall eyther flye, feede, bathe, or is to take her rest at night: And this course directly I tooke with this Hawke the whole time I kept her.

Also at the same time I had in charge at the least two cast of Riuar-Hawks, and ordered them in their diet my selfe; for which cause I did very seldome flye her, sometime not in the weeke and more, during which time, shee sate for the most part in a rufter hood; and if I had not a ve­rie conuenient place both day and night in the same, neuerthelesse that time of rest being expi­red, hauing occasion to vse her, eyther to the field or couart, and giuing her but one houre or two to weather abroad in the ayre, though still in the Hood, with consideration alwayes of the stomacke, shee would flye to content you. And this Hawke was so hot and eager at her first ma­king, that shee would at the reterine alwayes be [Page 60] downe among the dogges, as it were, scambling for the Partridge; and whensoeuer I came in, I would take her by the shoulders, betweene my hands, and throw her vp; nay, ouer and aboue, when a Partridge hath sprung on the other side the hedge, where shee could not see it, I haue af­ter the same maner throwne her cleane ouer the same, and shee hath killed it in the foote at the same flight. This Hawke very quickly prooued very cunning, and as long as she liued, when she knew that shee had mastered a Partridge, and that the dogges and men came in and tooke it, or else scambled for it, shee would neuer faile to make one, and bee a chiefe stickler in the com­bate; and what dogge soeuer tooke it, he should be sure to leaue it, with some taste of her displea­sure and correction for it.

Such hauks hath the true mettle.Thus hauing, according to my best vnder­standing, shewed how to enter the Goshawke to field, and to order and gouerne her during that season, I will now proceede to the Couart, and out of the like knowledge appoint by prescription how shee ought to be entred, flone, followed, and manned, during that time.

CHAP. XV. How to enter the Goshawke to the Couart.

ANy man whose skill and knowledge by time and experience is approo­ued to be good, To teach the Goshawke to flye to the Couart. may be fit and suf­ficiently able of himselfe to take the wilde Hawke from the Cage, or o­therwise to reclaime her and make her readie in due time to be flone; and also to flye her him­selfe, or let her goe from his fist vnto her flight: neuerthelesse, when she is once gone or departed from him therunto, he may be then as much vn­sufficient or vnable to gouerne her during that time; for there be many men that are expert in their arte, and through their owne knowledge well able to teach one of those kinde of Hawkes [Page 62] to flye, yet afterwards is no way able to follow and man her in her flight: whereby and through which cause, as shee was at first artificially and well made, so shee will bee then altogether as soone, or more sooner cleane spoiled and mar­red.

Euery one is not fit to keepe the Goshawke.If this bee true, then it appeareth that euery one is not fit to keepe the Goshawke, although his iudgement be great; nor otherwise any one that hath not a well able bodie to follow her, as shee ought to be.

But some man may answere, and say againe, that his body shall be well mounted and carried forward on horse-backe; to the which I allow also, so farre as vntill hee commeth to the Co­uart, but no further, vnlesse hee will alwayes make choyce of his desired or wished place, the which no man can euer doe, to finde his game with speed: neither in most Countries or places is there any choyce to be had; but to that sport and with that Hawke, he must altogether trust to his feete, or else tarry behinde; which, as I think, there is few men but would be loath so to doe, that beareth any loue to their Hawke, or the game they haue flone her vnto.

Therefore it is most certaine that there is no one man can order and manage the Goshawke to the Couart, but hee that hath a strong and able bodie, with spirit, mettle, and courage adioyned thereunto, to follow her withall; and vnto such a one, I will heere according to mine owne ex­perience [Page 63] and opinion shew the way, how and in what places is best and meetest first to enter her in, and how to follow and manage her, vn­till he hath made her a perfect Hawke.

You may well remember that you haue al­readie passed one good steppe forward on your iourney, and as you would thinke, escaped all the danger in your further pretended way, in re­spect that you haue so artificially reclaimed, fra­med and flone your Hawke all this long time to the field, and haue ordered and gouerned her with good successe in all your proceedings: but you ought to consider neuerthelesse, Marke wel. that this hath beene wrought, practised and brought to good conclusion, for the most part in the open and champane fields, where was the assistance of men on horse-backe, and on foot, that might and haue come in at their pleasures, to guard the Hawke, and preuent any ill accident that might befall by the Spaniels in their haste or rashnesse, or otherwise happen vnto her.

Therefore you are to consider, that now you otherwise intend to make her to the Fesant; and for that those kinde of Fowles doe altogether frequent and haunt the woods, The man cannot fol­low by view to succour his Hawke. and other places of obscuritie, the which must needs be a blemish and hinderance to the sight which should giue directions in the flight; for the better effecting of your desire, you ought to make good choice and be charie of what place you doe first enter her in, and especially that shee may be there wel [Page 64] guarded and kept from taking any dislike or of­fence at the dogges, the which if shee should doe in the beginning, shee will neuer endure them a­gaine; for as I haue said before, it must bee con­sidered that the former familiaritie betweene them was bred in the field, whereas the Hawke for the most part might alwayes see them before they came at her, and also (they) were rebuked and terrified by the man in such sort, as that they neuer came rushing or ouer rashly vpon her, whereby shee might take any fright or sodaine feare, but had imboldening and incouragement to stand or sit still in her owne defence. I haue knowne diuers coy Hawks my self, that through good following and well manning in the field, haue proued very bold and stout, to resist the rash and hastie encounters of very rough and vnruly Spaniels, that although through their owne hotnesse, and also the lightnesse of the Partridge, they haue caused her to carry it to some hedge or bush out of the way, It is the na­ture of the Hawke to haue her prey in pri­uate. to shrowde her selfe from them, yet would neuer quite for­sake it: neuerthelesse, the same Hawke at her first entrance to the Couart, for want of the like go­uernment, hath beene so suddenly feared and frighted, that shee would neuer after suffer any dogge in a thicke to come neare her, vnlesse her Keeper were first in with her. And therefore to auoid this inconuenience and ill qualitie at the first, it is meete that shee be better manned, fol­lowed and gouerned, then formerly in the field [Page 65] shee was, where most commonly shee might looke about her, and behold the dogges some space before they came at her; and also (they) might see and know her, and therefore so much the better shunne and goe beside her, for it is the rash and sudden rushing of the Spaniels vpon her, their sight by meanes of the Couart being obscured, and hauing an vncertaine and vn­knowne mixture of sents in their noses, The Hawke and the Fe­sant. and not discerning at an instant any difference betweene them, vnlesse the bels giue warning, that breeds this vilde offence betweene those friends, that should be of one vnion.

Therefore, if you will haue her made a per­fect Hawke, and to be bold, valiant, The Hawke and the Spaniels. and ventu­rous in the thicke woods, with the man, dogges and her game, as shee was in the plaine cham­paine fields, you ought to make good choyce both of time, place, and dogges at her first en­trance; for the time, that would be early before the leafe doe stirre, The time to enter the Hawke. for then the Fesant flyes not farre: also afterwards, the nature of them is to forsake the yong shootes and small groues, and draw to the high and thickest woods: also when the leafe doth fall, it is hard to reteriue with ma­ny or few dogges, and those you shall vse in number would be but few, and also very easie to be commanded.

Then when you haue made good choyce of your place to flye your Hawke in, and that you haue let her goe vnto her flight, you must bee [Page 66] sure to command your dogges behinde you, Beware of the Spa­niels. vntill you haue found her; then if shee haue kil­led it, you haue your desire; if not, and that you chance to finde her on the ground, as it may wel be you may, for many of them at the first ente­ring will bee very hot and eager of that sport, It shewes her true loue. and oftentimes seeking for it on the ground: but if there bee any tree neare-hand, that shee may well see from it, put her vp into the same, other­wise keepe her on your fist, and beate for it a­gaine; then if shee doe flye and kill it, you must be sure to make stay of the dogges vntill you haue directly found her: which being done, you shall get conueniently and gently in to her, and if you dislike the place for the vneasinesse or thicknesse, Let the Hawke haue no dis­couragemēt at the en­tring. you shall remooue her gently, and draw her into a more open place, where she may with more ease quietly enioy her prey, and there suffer her to plume and take her pleasure on it a­while; then call your dogs vnto you, and walke and stirre gently about her, with some moderate rusling and busling in the bushes, the better to acquaint her with the same noise: then when you see it conuenient, stoope to her on your knees, and rending the chappes, giue her bloud in the throate, whereas it will issue plentifully, to her great content; then paring the hard braine-pan from the rest, and couering the bodie with your hat, Good obser­uation for the yong mā giue her the head in her foot to eate on the ground; and hauing your Spaniels close by you; when shee hath done, and beginneth to [Page 67] looke about her, throw the Fesant, euen as it it were in their very mouthes, that she may (to­gether with some words of rebuke from your selfe) make them giue way with feare vnto her, yet drawing them into her sight againe to re­maine, so long as shee is on the ground, and while you make her supper readie: and when you see shee hath taken her sufficient pleasure, exchange (that) artificially with her, and let her eate it on the ground where the quarrie lay, on­ly reseruing some little thing to take her to your fist withall; and then put on her hood, not for­getting to bestow some reward on her after­ward, which shee will bee well pleased withall, and take it for a kinde conclusion at your hand, and will not be curious to shew it outwardly, in her behauiour vnto you, with feaking, ietting, rowsing, and such like ioyous shewes and signes also of inward pleasure and contentment.

Many a man, as soone as he hath taught his Hawke to draw and to come to his fist againe, A great er­ror or ouer­sight. ne­uer thinkes or considers of any other point be­longing, but onely which is the next way to the wood, whereas he hopes to finde his game, and vnto that place he runnes or rides on headlong in hope of some good successe; and when hee comes there, he may no doubt haue such fortune, as to find his flight with speed: yet all this while he remembers not that hee hath a strange and vnacquainted Hawke, or a company of vnruly Spaniels, but he is certaine and knows right well [Page 68] that he hath good store, and also so many, as if there be but one Pesant in a reasonable Couart, one or another of them will spring him, or put him vp, which is all he takes care for. And when he hath so done, and his Hawke hath flone, the next course he takes, is, he sends his dogges be­fore, A great fault. himselfe posting them forward, with a lowde voyce, and crying, Goe ret, goe to the Hawke goe, as though they had as much wit as himselfe, and could mannage all things so well as he: and then, Haue after, he cryes to himselfe, and away he followes as fast as hee can, in hope to finde some comfort; but when hee cometh neere to his Hawke, as hee deemes, he listeneth, and looketh, and findeth her sitting something low in a tree, looking downeward, and prying to the ground in mournefull wise, as though she were much displeased: at which sight, withall, he is something amazed, and then beginneth to looke further about him, and searcheth busily and narrowly vnderneath, and round about her, mistrusting that all things is not well; at last he findeth a mention of ill fortune, as feathers, stumpes of wings, legges or feete; but the whole bodie, that would haue caused him to trauell with a merrie heart homeward; and also haue serued for a chiefe and choice dish at the table (that) is deuoured: Why he sent his dogges before him. then he beginneth to stamp, and in an angrie mood to conceiue of his owne errour, and that there hath beene a hot skirmish betweene the Hawke, a poore Fesant, and a con­fused [Page 69] company of vnmannerly tikes, wishing in his heart that the third part of them were all hanged: neuerthelesse there is some comfort, for there sits the Hawke still, as well as euer shee was, shee hath by good fortune not lost one member, shee was too wise, and more affraid then hurt, as it chanced; shee thought it not fit to bide the brunt at such a battell, nor neuer wil thereafter, shee will hold it rather better for her the next time to bee gone, as soone as shee hea­reth eyther dogge or what else soeuer, but to rustle within a pole of her. And after this maner there hath beene many an excellent Hawke and dogge quite spoiled; for the Hawke will euer af­ter, out of her feare, leaue her prey; and the hungrie and rauenous dogge hauing tasted of the sweetnesse thereof, will follow as fast and cunningly to haue it, so that they are both spoi­led, and not one of them euer againe to bee re­claimed, A halter is fittest for a theefe. without a speedie course taken with a halter for the dogge; for that is meetest for a theefe, and such dogges be alwayes called rob­bers of Hawkes, and therefore are fittest to bee hanged: and for the Hawke, although her war­ning hath been great, and her feare to trust such enemies to come neere her any more; yet ne­uerthelesse, with good vsage shee may be taught and made to forget it.

And after that maner and fashion, as hath bin heere formerly prescribed, as, A good ob­seruation. with a iudiciall Keeper, and discreete follower, faire flying, and [Page 70] two or three stanch and seruiceable Spaniels; and yet to make it more plaine vnto you, I say, hee that doth haste on his dogges, before himselfe, after any yong or strange Hawke, it is done rash­ly, vnaduisedly, and without any discretion or iudgement, and hee taketh the cleane contrarie way; for it is his part, so soone as his Hawke is flone, to follow her as secretly as he may, with­out any noise, also as fast as he can, vntill he hath found her; when as, if shee hath killed it, hee is there then close by her, to guard and defend her, and may call for his Spaniels, and let them haue vnderstanding what is befallen, The Spa­niels must know what they hunt for. that their de­sires may also be satisfied; and they may come so neere vnto her, as hee shall list himselfe, and no nearer, so that there shall be no offence at all committed, but all parts well pleased: on the contrary, if shee haue missed her flight, yet there he is readie to call his Spaniels, and say, in stead of Go ret, Heere ret: and although they haue all lost him in his race of running, yet hauing their hearing and smelling sences, they will quickely bee with him; so that when they doe come and retetiue it, hee is readie to rate them, and gouerne all things to his owne liking: like­wise, if it be put to pearch, also there he is ready to rebuke the dogges at the fall: so that these courses being well obserued and followed, will make any Hawke, of reasonable mettle, excel­lent. And when you haue made her neuer so good and perfect, yet in slacking of these things [Page 71] shee will be as quickely marred; There must be a conti­nuance of carefull v­sage. for the best of that kinde that euer did flye, will continue in goodnesse, and alter from the same, according as shee is ordered, flone, and followed.

But all this while wee haue forgot the poore Hawke, shee is left vnconsidered of, let vs re­turne backe and see what is become of her, shee was not wont to remoue or stirre from the mark or the man, but diligently to attend and waite his leisure; and when he thought fit time to haue her, shee would come downe most willingly to his fist.

But now he commeth to make triall of her, and after his accustomed maner, calleth for her, The Hawke is angrie, and the Keeper not well pleased. but hee perceiueth the case to bee altered with her; for shee no whit regardeth his call, shee is so angry, and hath beene so much offended, and e­uen in the same temper away shee goes, raling from one place to another, it may bee a mile or two before he can by any meanes come by her, nay it is ten to one but shee will kill a Hen or two before he can take her vp againe: which if shee doe so, I leaue it to the carefull Ostringer himselfe, to testifie and consider, what a trouble, with vexation of minde he is fallen into, and al­most knoweth not, neither can imagine, how or which way to remedie it. And therefore seeing that those kinde of Hawkes of all other, are so subiect to take dislikes, and learne il conditions, it behooues euery one that loues to keepe them, to be charie of them, and carefull, especially at [Page 72] their first making and entering; for if they bee then wel made, wel entred and imboldened with the man, the dogges and their game, it will bee a hard matter afterwards to beate them out of loue so much, but that they may with skill and paines taking, bee reclaimed and recouered againe, whereas otherwise there is little or no hope at all to be had of them.

To imbol­den the Hawke, and cause her take the Fe­sant from the pearch with cou­rage.I haue yet omitted one course very requisite to be considered of, and that ought to be taken, to teach the Goshawke, and make her venter with boldnesse to take the Fesant from the pearch, which ought to bee practised and brought to perfection: before you do offer her to fly there­unto, you shall prouide a yong Capon or browne Pullet, and take with you to the wood; when you are disposed to cal her for her supper, and as shee is drawing and attending after you for the same, hauing a pole conuenient, proui­ded before for the same purpose, and fit oportu­nitie and place, you shal call your Spaniels about you to make them bay, and suddenly breaking the necke of the Poultrie, you shall at an instant lift it vpon a bough, so high as the Hawke may well haue sight; there stirring it, and withall, as before, crying Abay, abay vnto her: at which noise, and as it were to see it flutter, no doubt but shee will come in and pull it downe; which if she shall so doe, Keepe the Dogges in awe. be sure that the dogges may, with some rebuke from your self, giue her good leaue, & make way for her descending; then suf­fer [Page 73] her to plume and take her pleasure thereon, and nuzle her among the dogges, as you haue beene taught before, and giue her bloud in the throate, and let her bee well pleased and rewar­ded on it: and in vsing this course but a while, it will make her so bold and venturous, as that she shall no sooner see a Fesant goe to pearch, but shee wll as soone and suddenly haue him by the eares, and pull him downe.

Also in vsing your art towards your Spaniels, with some words of threatening, and blowes with reason; it will also make them so vnder­standing, and in such subiection, as that you may boldly trust them with her alone in your owne absence, Beware of strange Dogges. alwayes remembring there may be no strangers amongst them, for of that you ought to be most carefull at all times; for one strange and vnruly dogge will put forward the best that be, and cause them to offend; and the Hawke also will suddenly know him, and giue way with feare vnto him, so that he is sufficient to marre the rest, and the Hawke also: yet there be many men that neuer once thinketh or consi­dereth of what dogges it is meete they should Hawke withall, or suffer to hunt amongst their owne that they haue had proofe on, and know­eth to bee stanch and good: but certainely hee, whosoeuer hee be, hath not neede to take more care for any thing whatsoeuer belonging to his arte, then for that one thing; for three or foure good dogges that be stanch, and knoweth what [Page 74] they should doe, is at all times better then three or foure couple that be vnruly and riotous, as you may well vnderstand, if you wil but marke; when you shall suffer but one more to hunt with them, you shall see when as they will range and beate of very purpose quietly and cunningly for the Fesant, and chalenge of no other thing: the other dogge will hunt euery thing, or any thing that he first findeth; and not onely doe so, but also draw the other vnto him, and cause them to bawke the Fesant, A great in­cōuenience. that otherwise they would most certainly haue found. If this be so, as most true it is, then doe but consider what many such may doe: as also I doe not deny, but that they may all chance to spring together; yet if it fall out that they doe meete at a bay, they will not onely themselues be readie to pull the Hawke in peeces, An excellēt dish. but also tempt the other, and set on them to doe the like, or at least to deuoure the Fesant; that otherwise would neuer of them­selues haue any whit offended.

Thus hauing according to this one rule and prescription, taught your Hawke this necessary and needfull lesson, you may bee bold to shew her the wilde Fesant, when you finde it conue­nient, and shee will be in all points readie to flye at him, and couragiously to make seazure, and prey vpon him without any feare.

Enter her first to the Cocke,Also you must be carefull to enter her first to the Cocke, for as I haue often told you, all Hawkes be not alike in their disposition, but are [Page 75] of contrary natures, Seeke out the nature of the Hawke. and therefore will require great and diligent attendance, and skill to finde out their properties: and the same being perfect­ly knowne, you may order your Hawke accor­dingly; whereas otherwise you shall commit many errors, and seldome make a good Hawke. Therefore, if you finde her at first to incounter boldly with him, you neede not doubt, being well pleased and blouded on him, afterward to let her take her pleasure and chance in drawing, and to fly at what riseth first, be it Cock or Hen. Contrariwise, if you perceiue her to be fearefull and cowardly, as not to buckle and kill him boldly, then with two or three dayes rest, and hard washed feede, prepare her stomack sound­ly, and put her to him againe, and leaue not off your paines and practise, vntill you haue made her to flye at him spiritfully, and kill him as boldly.

Some man before he hath vsed any manner of meanes, Great indis­cretion. whereby hee may gesse or iudge of her, or what spirit or mettle is in her, will at very first put her vp to draw the Couart, thinking thereby to giue her some vantage towards her first entring: but many times hee is deceiued in his expectation, for the Henne Fesant is as easily found as the Cocke; and the veriest dastard of that kinde will seldome refuse to flye at her, The veriest dastard wil kill the Hen Fesant. and also to kill her, and then being well blouded withall, her Keeper thinkes he hath done well, and his minde is pleased: but it is not so, for of­tentimes [Page 76] it falleth out, that afterward with all the arte and skill he hath, he shall neuer force her flye the Cocke againe.

Thus with these rash and hastie courses, ma­ny Hawkes are quickly spoyled, which although at first they haue not so much mettle and spirit, with boldnesse appearing in them, neither by nature, as many other Hawkes haue; yet with good consideration of the same, and the carefull paines and skill of their Keeper, with due time adioined, Worthy of commenda­tion. they may be made very good Hawkes: and hee thereby shall iustly deserue more prayse and commendations for the perfect making of one such Hawke, then of ten other, that will at first out of their owne spirit and mettle flye, and make themselues with­out, in a manner, any assistance at all from their Keeper.

CHAP. XVI. A note worthy of obseruation for the imboldening of any Hawke, that hath beene rebuked or discouraged by the Spa­niels.

WHensoeuer in your recreation and sporting abroad with your Hawke, it shal be your happe to meete with such a Fesant, as will not, or other­wise is not able to rise againe after it hath beene hard flone, but shall be there taken on the ground betweene the dogges and your selfe; doe not then by my aduice, seeke for any open or plaine place to take your Hawke downe vpon, but otherwise and immediatly it shall be your best course, to rebuke the dogges out of [Page 78] the way, This order will present­ly imbolden her. and withall to throw the Fesant vp a­loft vnto her, vsing your voyce withall, and there let her trusse it

and fall with it to the ground, and if shee shall chaunce, through any feare or other occasion, to lose or let it goe by the way, as often­times it commeth so to passe; yet let her haue it againe, or else neuer to enioy it any other way, vntill shee will boldly doe the same without any feare at all, and then draw in your dogges about her, and ac­quaint them wel together; and for want of a Fe­sant, vse her oftentimes after this matter to take her downe with a pullet, amongst, or neere vnto the Spaniels, with such care, as that they may not any way offend her in the fall; and before it be long, this order will so well imbolden her with the fal, and encourage her to hold amongst the dogges againe, as that shee will quite forget all former vnkindnesses offered vnto her, and trusse her prey againe boldly, without any feare at all, being euermore assured, that vpon any such occasion, the stomacke may bee sharpe in the highest degree, for that will sharpen also her tallants, and cause her to hold fast indeed. And without that one thing, there is no other course [Page 79] to be taken, or meanes to bee vsed with her, for shee will neuer be subiect to your will.

Also to vse your yong Hawke at her first en­trance after the same manner, it will perfectly encourage her to the like, whensoeuer shee shall haue occasion, without any manner of feare at all; for it is only at the first entring, being not ac­quainted, the falling to the ground or bushes, neare vnto men or horses, and the Spaniels bay­ing with their seuerall noyses, that doth terrifie her, and oftentimes after causeth the losse of prey from her foote: for of all Hawkes, shee is the most nice and choyce, and therfore will aske and require more skill and attendance at her first making, then any other whatsoeuer; and for want of such necessarie and iudi­ciall considerations and courses, at that time, there hath bin many an excellent Hawke mar­red by her Keeper, be­fore shee haue been halfe made.

CHAP. XVII. The Haggart Goshawke in particular.

THus farre haue I written and dis­coursed of the Goshawke in generall, and shewed that of all other kinds, shee is the wildest and most stoute Hawke, and that it is more difficult and hard at the first to draw her into true sub­iection, and familiaritie with the man, then any other whatsoeuer; and that it is altogether in [Page 81] vaine at that time to commit her into the custo­die or keeping of any yong or vnexperienced Keeper, that is not able through his iudgement and skill, to order her as shee ought to be.

And I am now come to the Haggart

in particular, Of the Haggart. as shee is diuided from the rest of her owne ge­neration, and will speak somthing con­cerning her selfe, be­cause there ought to bee some difference between them in the order and manner of dealing with them.

Shee is the absolute wildest Hawke of all, and will therefore deserue much more labour and skill in her reclaiming and perfect making, then any of the other: and therefore there ought to be had so much the greater care and attendance on her, with such or the like preparation against the time you intend to make her gentle, as I haue before prescribed vnto you.

For whereas it is an vsuall course with most men vpon the receit of such a Hawke from the Cage, suddenly to make her gentle, by peppe­ring, watching, and other such like accustomed vses, without any former consideration or ima­gination, how vnfit her bodie may bee, to bee so suddenly striuen withall and ouer-heat with [Page 82] holding and turmoiling in the hot water, that hath been rested, and therefore most like is char­ged and ouercharged with grosse imperfect fat­nesse, and other such like humors, which being so suddenly stirred and dispersed by immode­rate and hastie dealing, may well hazzard her life; and for certaine many Hawkes haue beene lost that way.

Wherefore I would haue you call to minde what order I haue formerly prescribed for such a Hawke; and that being well effected, then may you goe forward boldly after the same manner, and see there be no sparing of paines in carrying and other necessary courses, vntill you well per­ceiue by all signes of her good behauiour to­wards you, that shee is gentle and well reclai­med.

Further, as touching her dyet, feeding, calling or other manner of outward or inward dealing, vntill shee be readie to flye; I shall not neede to meddle withall, because I haue before so plain­ly expressed the same, only I would haue you to obserue this one note; which is, that these kind of Hawkes being wilde, doe all naturally loue to feed on their prey in couart places, as where they may not be discried or seene, by other such birds of the ayre as loueth them not.

Also, and otherwise being reclaimed by the man, whensoeuer they doe take it in any cham­paine or plaine place, they will doe the like, and carry it to the next place of harbor, to be shrou­ded [Page 83] or shadowed there; so much and so often they haue beene not onely taught, but also for­ced vnto it, Crowes Kites, and all other such ver­mine. being abroad and shifting continu­ally amongst their enemies, that would, but that they dare not, persecute them for their vigour and crueltie, such is their malice towards them; and therefore neuerthelesse, will not cease with open crie to raile and wonder at them while that they may be seene, and oftentimes causeth them to forsake their prey.

In this regard, when any one of these Hawkes hath after this manner safely shrowded her selfe, shee will sit very close, and presently fall to fee­ding: which euill course shee will continually hold, A great in­cōuenience. to the great trouble and vexation of her Keeper, vnlesse shee be with great care and skill well reclaimed from the same.

Wherefore, during the time of her calling, it behoueth you to take this course with her, al­though you doe call and draw her by your chir­ping and whistle, along after you, thorow the thicke and couart places, the which is meete you should doe; yet doe not there take her to your fist to be fully satisfied, but let her still attend and waite on you, vntill you come to some plaine conuenient place, and there entertaine her in the best manner to the fist, and let her feede a little thereon; then put to her lease, and let her eate the residue on the ground close by you, and ha­uing reserued some stumpe or other such thing, take her to your fist againe, and so conclude with [Page 84] her for that time. Also forget not, but that you doe stoope gently to her on your knee, and quietly and softly conuey some bittes vnseene farre off vnto her, that you giue her no cause of vnquietnesse, as to strike at your hand with her tallants: for those kinde of Hawkes will not endure to haue any such thing openly shewed, or offered vnto them; they will bee so sharpely disposed and eager at the sight of it, and there­fore there ought to bee much heede taken by the man in his behauiour towards them, and neatnesse vsed, with handsome and cleanely conueyances in all his outward dealings.

This course being well perfected with quiet and gentle vsage euery day, so long as you doe call her, will so imbolden her, and worke all manner of feare out of her, as that shee will neuer after haue any desire to carry any thing from you: shee will grow so farre in loue, and bee familiar with you; but will bee well plea­sed, and account her selfe safely shrowded when shee hath your company, and is close by you.

Now when you haue after this manner thus kindly reclaimed and framed her to your will, it will bee good time to enter her to the field, and for that I haue before so plainly set downe and prescribed the order and manner how and which way to accomplish the same, I will omit to speake any more of that point, and proceed onwards to the next.

[Page 85]When as shee shall come to kill Partridge, then as I haue formerly aduised, you must bee sure to get gently in to her, hauing before pro­uided her dinner or supper readie dressed; and as shee sitteth on the Partridge, bestow the same on her in bits, Shee would be pleased alwayes from your hand. with neate and handsome conueyance, which will prolong her time in pluming, and stay the sharpnesse of her appe­tite and desire to feede, which is not fitte shee should doe; for it would cause her to loue that better they your selfe, and to bee loath and vn­willing afterwards at any time to bee bereaued of it, In some thicke co­uart. and thereby will take occasion to carrie it from you, hoping to enioy it to her selfe more secret and quietly; whereas otherwise this course will so please her, and draw her loue so certaine to you, as that shee will neuer after offer to carrie one feather from you.

Also, all this while giue no bloud at all, but with some reuersion take her to your fist againe, and there content her, and before it be long, shee will bee so constantly wonne and reclai­med to your will, as that shee will neuer co­uet or desire to carrie her prey any whit from the place where shee taketh it; I speak this by experi­ence, and on my credite. neyther vvill shee euer breake it, so long as there is one fea­ther left on it, but still attend for your com­ming, and to haue a reward onely at your hand. And therefore, if you may choose, let her ne­uer take any bloud her selfe, but when you haue well nuzled and inured her herein, and that [Page 86] you doe at any time after finde her with a Par­tridge in her foote: then after good time spent in pluming, take off the head and necke, and giue it vnto her with the most part of her supper together; which when shee hath eaten, and doth looke about her, take her to your fist, and so conclude with her.

CHAP. XVIII. That the Hawke being well entred, and in loue with Partridge, ought not to be flone to the Couart at all.

IT is a rare thing to haue a Hawke of this kind to be good to the field and couart both; and therefore if you perceiue your yong Hawke at her first making to be nim­ble [Page 87] and wight of her wings, and also to set her loue on the Partridge, and thereon to take de­light, which will easily bee perceiued by her eager and fierce flying, with the ioy shee will take in it, and iocond businesse shee will haue with it, when she hath the Partridge in her foot: then this being well approued, it were great pit­tie to let her see the Fesant at any time, or at least to vse her to that kinde of game or manner of flight: He is a to­ling and tempting bird. for being a Hawke so eager and greedie of her prey, as they all in their owne natures bee, will desire and more delight a short flight, and to haue it speedie, then otherwise to couet or bee willing to pursue it, and hold out at length; which shee shall bee constrained to doe, if shee wil haue the mounting and styning Partridge to be at her command: and for the Fesant, by rea­son that he is a fowle in shew and other appea­rance, farre greater then the other: hee seemeth also in the manner of his flight, to be so much the more vnweildie and heauie, and flyeth not so farre as the Partridge doth; all which are great prouocations, and tempteth the Hawke to flye couragiously with more eagernesse and spiritfull assurance to enioy him, then the other; The Fesant. therefore his flght is of force, and sufficient to withdraw her loue cleane away, although shee hath beene otherwise well entred, inured, and blouded before: for the best Hawke of that kind, being wilde, and at her owne disposing, coue­teth not, if they may choose, to flye farre after [Page 88] the thing shee chiefely desireth to prey vpon, The true nature of the Hawke. but most commonly vseth her policie by sudden and cunning stealing vpon the same, and what shee can winne after that manner soonest, and with least paines, the same shee most delighteth in; by which appeareth, when we haue them in our owne custodie and keeping, the best of them all may bee made bad enough through want of skill and knowledge, with other carelesse vsage in her Keeper.

Contrariwise, who hath a true care and vn­derstanding in the arte hee professeth, may through his labour and pain­full practise, make one of farre more baser mettle to doe him right good seruice.

CHAP. XIX. To teach the Goshawke to flye to the Wilde-ducke or Mallard, that frequenteth the ponds or pri­uate pittes; which is a good sport, and a good prey when it is taken.

AS you know right well, in most Countries there bee many odde pondes that stand in close and se­cret places, as amongst shrubbes, or bushes, or otherwise inuironed with wood growing vpward, that hideth and obscureth the water from the fight and know­ledge of any trauellers that passeth to and fro, vnlesse they be such as perfectly knoweth them, or otherwise, those that by chance doth light [Page 90] vpon them. The nature of the fowle In these kinde of pooles the Mal­lard, with the Duckes his louing companions, doth take great delight and pleasure, there to re­pose and solace themselues priuately together, to their great contentment and safe assurance a­gainst any enemy, that shall by stealth draw neare to betray them.

Now whereas I haue formerly deliuered my opinion herein, that there is no Hawke of this kinde, in her wildnesse, but is able to shift for her selfe sufficiently, and kill sundrie kindes of prey; and afterward being reclaimed: where­fore then should not the man by his art, cause a­ny of them to doe the like for him? so that by this reason there is no excuse to be made for him that shall haue one of them in his hand a long time, to practise and worke vpon, and shal in the end say shee is a buzzard; shee is of a bad carry, he can make her do nothing at all. To the which I answere, that such a one is more fit for some other calling, then to beare the title or name of eyther Falconer or Ostringer; for if shee may be made but to kill meate for other Hawkes, shee is well worthy of her owne, and there is some pleasure in it besides; and for such a one as will neither be forced by the arte and industry of her Keeper, to kill the Partridge or Fesant, I wil here shew how shee may bee made not onely to pur­uey for her owne or other Hawkes dyet, but also to giue good satisfaction and content to her Keeper: and to accomplish and bring the same [Page 91] to perfection, you must obserue well this order following.

When your Hawke is readie in all points to be flone, you must prouide you of three or foure hand-fowle, if they bee not wilde, yet bee sure they may bee of the same colour, or as neare as you can, the which you shall let your Hawke on­ly flye at, and foote out of ones hand one after another, day after day, and let her plume and be well rewarded of them; and when you perceiue that shee will doe thus with an eager and hot de­sire, as no doubt, but shee will very quickly doe in the highest degree of loue towards them; then you must prouide you of a fowle or two more, as you may easily doe, and also that will flye so farre as you shall haue neede: and when you purpose to goe abroad againe with your Hawke, send one before you with a fowle, and also your directions, to some close place of plumpe of bushes, where he may be very safely shrowded from your selfe, and also the sight of the Hawke; then shall you follow after your selfe with her rightly prepared, Spurres to pricke her forward. with her stomacke sharpely edged for her prey: and when you come there close by the brimme or border of the thicket or fore-pointed harbour, and hauing your Hawke readie for a sudden and delightfull encounter, you shall strike hard on the bushes with your pole, at which fore-knowne warning, the still couched messenger, shall with all his might tosse the fowle aloft vpright; which if shee doe with [Page 92] courage take, an excellent catch-Ducke shee will make.

Then after this you may boldly goe to the ponds or pits, where the wilde fowle lies, and as before said, creepe as neere as you may, holding your Hawke as high as you can, and with your pole beate vp the fowle, when as they shall no sooner beginne to rise, but shee will be as readie at the sudden sowce to pull one of them backe againe; which if shee doe so, bee sure to crosse the wings of it, and let her take her pleasure thereon in pluming, and bee rewarded of the same, and after that she will not misse one flight that shee shall be flone to after that manner: also it will not be amisse to haue a dogge alwayes with you, for sometimes after the Hawke is well acquainted with the sport, shee will bee so nim­ble and quicke at the catch, that they will fall both into the water together, and by that meanes the fowle may goe to plunge, so that then the dog may and will be readie to doe you good ser­uice, wherby neuerthelesse the Hawke may be ser­ued and well plea­sed againe.

CHAP. XX. To flye to the Wilde-goose or Hearon, to the Rooke, the Mew, or any other such short flight, which are to be killed at the sudden sowce, by the policie of the Hawke that is not swift of her wing to take them otherwise

THe most Hawkes of this kinde, doth naturally loue to prey vpon any of these things that I haue heere named, and therefore it is so much the easier to make one of them by arte to flye thereunto: [Page 94] neuerthelesse, on this consideration, that they in their wildenesse doe not altogether dispose themselues towards any one particular thing of them; nor settle their loues or desire onely on them, nor no more then they doe of the rest, or many other things that they also doe vse to prey vpon, as well as they: therefore if you will haue one of them to doe you seruice therein, and to be constant in her flight thereunto, you must not vse her rashly, as trusting wholly in her owne naturall disposition, or loue to the thing you would haue her to flye vnto. Her owne loue. But you must giue a further addition and assistance to the same, by your owne arte and cunning practise, extraor­dinarily to encrease and make it perfect withall; for there is no man of any vnderstanding, that hath a businesse of any importance to accom­plish, that will goe rashly about the same, and without any consideration, An additi­on or exam­ple. thinke euen so to ef­fect it, but he will bethinke himselfe better of it, and cast which is the best way, and what course is fittest for him to take in it; and then hee will arme and prepare himselfe with discretion, to put the same in practise and execution; and no doubt, but then hee shall haue all things goe to his liking, and also good successe in the conclu­sion.

Euen so likewise when you haue taught your Hawke to goe, and to come againe vnto your fist, and that as you thinke shee is readie in all points to be flone, yet it is not fit that then you [Page 95] goe with purpose to flye her, or to force her flye at what you list, or would haue her to kill: but you must further consider what kinde of things such a Hawke in her wildenesse doth vse to prey and liue vpon, and is possible for the man by his arte to make her vnto.

Then all this being well considered and thought on, you may make your choice, as of which one particular thing you would haue her most addicted vnto, and to loue better then the rest, for your owne delight and pleasure; so as if you thinke well euen of the Rooke, a fowle, which although there is not much worth in the thing it selfe, yet it will serue well for her owne or other Hawkes dyet: and also through this or­der and obseruation, you may bee instructed how to make her to other things of more im­portance and valew, as to any of those other things I haue formerly named.

Therefore when you haue your Hawke rea­die in all points to flye, you must prouide you of some liue traynes, the which you may easily doe, eyther in Sommer or Winter; then when you would enter your Hawke, let one of them haue the wing pulled or cut; and when you come in­to the field in some greene place or slade, let the same bee placed or sette downe there on the ground, and retire backe your selfe, with your Hawke, some fortie paces from it, or as you shall see cause, for you may draw neere vnto it againe at your owne pleasure; then take off her Hood, [Page 96] that shee may looke round about her, and finde where the traine is very like, busily disposed, as stirring, walking, or such like: then if shee doe flye to it, and take it, let her plume and bee well rewarded on it: and after this manner you must order her, vntill shee will finde the traine readily as it is walking, so farre off as shee may well see it, and goe as readily and take it after that fa­shion.

Then the next time you intend to walke a­broad, let your traine be a flyer, and placed at one end of a long creance, with a peg put slightly in­to the ground, only to stay it, and no more, some yard or two from the end, whereunto the traine is fastened; and at the other end of the creance a marke set whereby you may readily find it: then draw towards it, The traine. and vnhood your Hawke, that shee may see it; and when shee hath found it, and is gone from the fist well towards it, be sure to pull vp the peg, that when the traine shall see her well neare come at it, it may haue some li­bertie to flye, although it bee but neuer so little before shee doe take it.

Thus if you can after this manner in your discretion, let her kill some two or three more, and so order the matter with the creance, that when the Hawke shal be almost at it, euen then it may haue some reasonable scope to rise before shee can take it; it will so nuzzell her, as that shee wil not after misse the wilde Rooke or any other thing you shall after this manner make her vnto.

[Page 97]The Tassell is farre more fit to be flone to this flight, or any other such small flight, then the Hawke is, and shee is meetest for the other

great flights, as the Goose or the Hea­ron, and none but shee: I haue seene my selfe a Tassel that would very seldome misse one flight in ten, A good condition. but would pur­uey for many other Hawkes; and which way soeuer he was carried, he was found certaine and sure in his seruice, and saued both man and horse much labour, and al­so what other charge belonged to that place, as shot and powder, with peece and such like; and yet he was neuer worth one groate for the Par­tridge: neuerthelesse for his other seruice in my owne estimation he right well deserued, not on­ly his owne sustenance, but also due praise and commēdation. Also as I haue told you, after this manner you may teach the Hawke to kill the Goose or the Hearon, and shee will quickly grow farre in loue with them, if shee be well trai­ned; yet the Goose is a strong fowle, and will of­tentimes wrong a Hawke very much with her wings: therefore beware you giue no traines vn­brayld of both wings, vntill the Hawke be well blouded; so shall you bee sure to incourage her [Page 98] throughly, and preuent all danger that may o­therwise happen in her making. For I did know right well my selfe one Hawke, that had one of her eyes cleane beaten out with the pinion of a Goose wing, and were oftentimes before very much brushed and beaten with them; for which cause it is not fit to flye thereunto without one Horse in the company, to haste in to succour and helpe the Hawke.

There be many of these Hawkes that be very large and strong, and withall as heauie and slug­gish of their wings, and therefore will neuer hold out to any of the long flights, but altogether do shift and get their prey by subtiltie and craft; neuerthelesse the most of them are very hardie to seize on any thing. And these be they that are most fit to be made and taught to flye to these short and great flights, and to catch at the sud­den sowce; which they will very quickly learne to doe with your owne arte and assistance, because their owne nature doth very much di­rect and leade them e­uen vnto it.

CHAP. XXI. Of the Sparhawke.

COnsidering that at first it was my speciall purpose to treate of short-winged Hawkes; and also in my proceeding, with them to ioyne some others, the which I haue not forgot­ten to speake of: so also let me bee no more vn­mindfull of one demie creature, that for her spi­rit and mettle, is well worthy to martch in the best company, and therein is nothing inferiour: The Sparhawke I meane, which I haue knowne to be of great worth and estimation, for the well performing her seruice, with great delight and pleasure extended to her Keeper; as by her spirit [Page 100] and policie to take any thing shee shall bee made to, and the manner how, as at the first sight of the thing wherewithal she intendeth to incoun­ter, to behold how, and in what maner she first falleth flat to the fist, shewing thereby her imbe­cillitie and vnablenesse of bodie, for such vne­quall matches: withall, as it were with discretion and deliberation, findeth her best aduantage; and so expecting the speedie presence of her Keeper, and his kinde assistance in the skirmish, away shee goeth couragiously, close by the ground and nimbly, to the wilde Crow, the Rooke, the Mewe, the Lapwing, the Ringdoue, the Housedoue on the lands, the Pie-annit, the brauing and chattering laye; and there is none of all these fowles, besides some others that I haue omitted, but after this manner shee will make subiect to her command, and yeeld to the mercie of her sharpe and piercing tallants. And for the Partridge, I haue likewise knowne her as great a commander, and to hold out, and conti­nue all the Sommer time, as well as any other Hawkes would doe. And now on the contrarie (shee) poore prettie Birde, is of no request or reckoning at all, but is almost quite forgotten of all men: for the which they are much to blame vndoubtedly; for by experience, I know, du­ring that season, there is no better Hawke then shee, if shee be kept as shee ought to bee, high, lustie, and strong: but in these dayes the yong man hath so deepely addicted himselfe to sloath [Page 101] and idlenesse, with drowsie sluggishnesse, and other wandering mutabilities, as that he had ra­ther dye then to meddle with a Hawke that will require either labour or attendance early or late, or any other time of the day, but will reclaime and make their Hawkes gentle with bating and hanging by the heeles, which is the cause, and for want of better guiding, that these poore silly birds be not able to performe their seruice, which otherwise they would doe; for you must vnder­stand they be all but wretches, of little and small strength; and to haue any part of that dimini­shed or taken away, it is not possible they should be able to maintaine their flight: but otherwise, to bee strongly kept in the Hood, and alwayes flone from the same, shee is a most excellent Hawke, and will kill more Partridge in one day, then the best long-winged Hawke will doe in two; and shee is for euery place, you need make no difference of thicke or thinne. And for her dyet, that would be of the daintiest meate you can get, vnlesse in other times of rest, and also then, not forgetting to wash it well and drie it againe, especially if shee bee mued: likewise a­gainst shee is to flye, shee must bee prepared af­ter the same manner, with a short cut to put a perfect edge on her, and then shee will flye after the best manner; and no Hawke with more spi­rit and mettle then shee. Also shee would not be flone in the morning, vnlesse shee bee prepa­red ouer-night with a short and cleane supper [Page 102] for the purpose, and then shee will flye for her owne reward, and content of her Keeper. Like­wise, you ought to haue alwayes a prettie box a­bout you, full of fresh Butter, mixed with a lit­tle Saffron and Sugarcandie, to giue with her meate now and then, or to eate out of the box; which shee will doe with great delight, and it will keepe her head euermore loose, and in good temper, and also preuent the Cray, and keepe her proud and full of spirit.

CHAP. XXII. Of the Lanner and Lanneret.

I Am now come to speake of the Lanner and Lanneret, which although they bee a kinde of Hawkes, I neuer tooke much [Page 103] delight in, yet I will shew you my opinion, and what otherwise I haue gathered by my little practise and obseruation from them.

Then first giue mee leaue to let you vnder­stand, that in my obseruation they are all by na­ture and kinde, of a hard and dull disposition, apt to doe little good of themselues, nor other­wise, but what they are forcibly compelled to doe, by their Keepers ordering of them. And for the Lanner her selfe, in my life time I haue heard heere and there one of them that hath beene called or accounted good; but as one Swallow maketh no Sommer, so one particula­ritie concludeth no generalitie: also and other­wise, the best good shewed by them at any time, in the little experience that I haue had of them, doth alwayes appeare without true delight, after a tedious and base toyling kinde of fashion, and in my opinion farre vnfit to giue a Gentleman content in his sport and recreation: and so I will cease heere to speake any more in generall, but especially in discommendations of them, lest I should seeme offensiue to any, or to daunt the yong Faulconer, or him that most of all for their sowndes and long lasting, desires to practise and be dealing with them: but what was it that I said before? did I say that I would euen so leaue them? surely that were not well done of mee, I must needs confesse; and it shall goe hard neuer­thelesse, but I shall finde in my memorie some cause, wherefore I should not altogether so for­sake [Page 104] sake them, but rather to make some amends, it is otherwise meete I should do something in praise particularly of them.

CHAP. XXIII. Of the Haggart Lanner.

AS the Eyas of this kinde exceedeth other Hawkes, towards their Kee­per, in loue and gentlenesse, euen so doth the Haggart of the same nature, as farre surpasse the rest in exceeding wildenesse, and are very hard to be reclaimed; and therefore whose hap it shal be to meet with any of them, he must take extraordinarie time and paines to make them gentle; and also all the luring time the like [Page 105] course must be vsed, and see that shee be taught and made to come perfectly to the Lure, onely garnished with hard washed meate, and that be­sides shee may receiue the better part of her re­ward in bittes at your hands; euen as you were to order the Faulcon: and afterwards during her trayning, there must bee much time taken, and otherwise the very selfe same ordering and out­ward manner of dealing, that I haue formerly appointed for the Haggart Faulcon, in any other booke of Hawking: so that it were but in vaine for mee to set downe any other particular pre­scription; and no doubt, but with such well go­uerning, and good time taken, they may make good Hawkes: it was neuer my happe, to my remembrance, to see any more then one Cast of them, and they neuer came to any perfection, but euen were destroyed through their owne coynesse, and their Keepers ouer much haste and rashnesse, and also his hard dealing in their diet, and with too much stoaning: and so I will cease to say any more of them, but will proceed to the other of the same kind.

CHAP. XXIIII. Of the Ramage Lanner to the Field.

THere be many of these Hawkes that hath reasonable spirits and mettle remaining in them, and doth some­times proue good Hawkes, when it is their happes to light into their hands that hath iudgement and knowledge to reclaime them.

Also in my obseruation they are very Ra­mage and coy Hawkes, and therein do differ very little or nothing from the Haggart Faulcon, and it is as easie a matter to reclaime the one as the other; nay otherwise I hold it in generall, rather easier to make the Faulcon in euery respect more fit to be flone to the field then shee; they be so [Page 107] different in their natures; for example, the Faul­cons, although they are not all of one dispositi­on, yet almost the

very worst & stub­bornest in nature of the kinde, will bee made to become tractable & louing, both vnto man, horse, and dog, with gentle and louing vsage, in due time bestowed on them. For they are composed of a farre more choyce and delicate mettle, in respect of their bodily constitution, and also are louing and kinde, euen in their owne nature, as it were altogether dis­claiming their former course of wilde liuing, and wholly subiecting and submitting themselues to the man and his direction, in all francke and freenesse, with a maine and spiritfull perfor­mance of their loue and seruice to their Kee­per,

On the contrarie part, the Lanner, as shee is nothing inferiour to the other in ramage and wildenesse, so is shee more hard of ward and of a farre more strong and sound constitution, and yet will not bee drawne by any gentle dealing to doe any thing, or to bee pleasing to the man, but will euermore deserue to haue spurres put to her dull disposition, to pricke her forcibly for­ward [Page 108] to performe her dutie; and yet when you haue done the best you can, as manned her, lu­red, trayned and stayed her; all which to effect, I can prescribe no better course then the very same that I haue spoken of, or taught in my o­ther Booke, for the Haggart Faulcon onely, and excepting her dyet, for that must be considered of, with hard washed meate and stones, more or lesse, as you shall finde her naturall incli­nation; for you must vnderstand that they are not all alike, but doe differ as much as others doe; and therefore ought to be regarded there­after.

Now when you haue thus farre foorth effe­cted your desire, yet haue you not well conclu­ded with her, vnlesse you bee mindfull of this one thing, and also haue well perfected the same; which is, that through your paines and skilfull practise you doe well stay her, and by your arte also restraine her from dragging or carrying a­ny thing from you; the which ill qualitie, there is no one Hawke more subiect vnto then shee.

Therefore, to preuent the same; first, you must beware, that if shee but once onely know­eth the Lure, that you lure her no more, but once at one time, and let that suffice, although you take the more time to make her, which shall bee the more for her good; for otherwise it will hazard the spoyle of her, or any other Hawke you intend to make to the field; for so soone as [Page 109] shee once knoweth the Lure, shee will settle her loue on it, and desire to hold it, and will be loath to be taken vp from it to bee lured againe, and will quickly grow fearefull to let you or any o­ther man to come neare her, lest shee should be depriued of that which shee chiefely desireth to enioy, and will dragge and couer to carie it from you.

Also during the time of her luring and tray­ning, you had need be carefull to order the bu­sinesse so, as that shee may haue her reward, for the most part, at your hand in bits, onely reser­uing some small quantitie to take her to your fist withall: and all this while you must haue your Spaniels close by you, as shee is on the ground, and euery day acquaint them well together; for they bee Hawkes of all other that bee most coy and fearefull to suffer any dogges to come neare them.

Also at her first entring you ought to haue but few dogges, and such as be both coole and gentle, vntill shee bee well entred and also ac­quainted with them; and then shee will bee out of all danger, although shee should afterwards at some times bee put besides her prey, yet shee will not be beaten quite out of loue, or discou­raged therewith, but euen slightly will account of such an accident, because shee had beene so kindly vsed and nuzled amongst them before; whereas otherwise for want of this kind of care­full ordering and gouerning at the first, if shee [Page 110] should chance to take any fright or sudden feare with a dogge, shee would neuer abide them a­gaine, being a Hawke so coy and apte vnto it, and also strong and well able to carry her prey away: shee were quite and for euer made; for shee wil too soone know her owne strength, and whensoeuer shee shall haue a Partridge in her foote, shee will suffer neither man nor dogge to come neare her, but shee will carry it away and prey vpon it; which if she should doe but onely once, that is as much as one hundreth, for shee will neuer be reclaimed from it. And this is the onely fault the Ramage Lanner is subiect vnto, and also the best end of as many as falls not into a carefull, skil­full, and painfull Faul­coners hand.

CHAP. XXV. Of the Ramage Lannner for the Riuer.

IT cannot be denied but that there hath beene Hawkes of this kinde, both vpward and high flying, and also stowt and tough of their wings to maintaine the same. And I haue as often maruelled with my selfe what the reason should be, that in my time no man (of my knowledge) hath euer made triall what per­fection such a Hawke might be brought vnto for the Riuer, considering they be also hardie e­nough. Likewise I doe very well remember, that when I was but very young of yeares my [Page 112] selfe, I heard an ancient Gentleman report, that in former times they were vsually flone there­unto, and were held in great estimation for the same; and in those times the Haggart Faulcon was not knowne: He likewise affirmed that hee had a Lanner himselfe that would flye very high and very long, euen like vnto the wilde Hobbie, the which was bred in Molton Parke: and in drawing through the young springs, himselfe and his Spaniels in a Forrest where hee liued, as he often vsed to doe, with his Hawke high flying ouer him, he hath sometimes put vp fowle vn­awares vnto him that vsed to lye in plashie or waterie places in the said Groues or bushie clo­ses, the which she would not misse, but kill one of them at her down come. Also at other times the Fesant cocke, the Woodcocke and the Par­trige; and for these things that I haue named, there could not any of them come to her amisse, such was the excellency and goodnesse hee had brought her vnto through his plaine and simple skill: for of my owne knowledge he was no Fal­coner, although he had some loue and little vn­derstanding, as many others haue that likes well the sport. Now if this were true, as I doe verily beleeue it was, for that hee was a man, as I haue told you, truely auncient, and of good reputa­tion: wherefore then should not wee in these daies and times of more experience, & greater knowledge, in some sort, shake off this habit of sloath & idlenesse that we haue been trained vp [Page 113] and nuzled in this many yeares? and summon our wits and deuices together, not only to teach vs tread the path of our ancient friends, and imitate their inuentions, but also well to ap­plaud them for the same with due respect to their instructions? But some man may replye and say, The nouice. Wherefore should wee so much trou­ble our selues with such dull metled humours as they bee, that will aske so much labour and paines about them, before they can be brought to any perfection? There is the braue spirited Haggard Falcon Gentle, shee will bee reclaimed and made with a trice; and shee is of a louing disposition, and also as franke and free of her mettle: and therefore if wee will bestow on her but one three weekes, or a moneths well luring and training with Doues to cause her to loue vs, shee will be wholly wedded to vs, and will not away. And moreouer, she will as sodainely vnderstand what shee should doe; for shee will not require much instruction. And this is the bird worthy of due commendation. To the which saying I yeeld, and will say no lesse, for I can no way wisely dispraise her; for if I should, I must doe both my selfe great wrong, and her also, that before I haue so highly commended: but thus farre giue me leaue to answere, as it is in some sort truely said, and may also be as well performed with some Hawke, so is it on the o­ther side, as slightly and simply answered; and it is as common in these dayes with euery nouice [Page 114] of little or no vnderstanding, that hath but new­lie gotten his arte onely in fit tearmes and phra­ses, and for any other reason they haue or can alleage about such a Hawke, or of what else be­longs vnto her, but onely that common saying, by euery one of well louing the Haggart. I haue knowne in my time many shepheards resorting to Hawking places, that I durst haue vnderta­ken to haue taught any of them with a few plaine instructions in one fortnight to haue per­formed as much so well as they, with some Hawke of the kinde, although there be some o­ther of the same generation that will put twenty wiser men then they to their shifts: but I would very faine heare of one of these selfe conceited young men that would somewhat withdraw his affection from these kinde of Hawkes that are so easily, and with little paines reclaimed, and will in a manner as they suppose, euen make themselues. I would see him to vndertake the Ramage Lanner, and with all his wisedome make her seeme a Faulconers Hawke to the brooke, that will not make her selfe neyther be framed by another without both labour and skill in­deede: truely hee should deserue much com­mendations for his well performing of this bu­sinesse; and more then for any such wherein as hee deemes is not required much Art, paines, or any great attendance. And for him that will bend his minde, and will be willing to practise heerein, I will shew him my aduice, and the [Page 115] best directions from my author, or owne vnder­standing that I may afford him.

It is not vnknowne but that the best metled Hawke, and highest slier of any kinde, may bee abused and drawne downe farre from her won­ted gate, as eyther with too much flying, or too hard feeding, as to be wearied, or as it were ty­red out with too often and ouermuch toyling, or otherwise with hauing too great an edge and appetite set on them with impouerishment, proceeding from too straight a hand kept on them in their diet and feeding. And for cer­taine, the most of the Lanners kinde are spoyled these wayes, and drawne cleane from their wings, and forced to

flye about the mans head, and goe to stand, and therefore although they be all of a hard kinde, yet they are not all alike, but do differ in their natures as much as others doe, which ought to be well re­spected, and especially noted, the difference be­tweene the good metled Hawke and the bad, and to be ordered thereafter, and yet not in any sort it is meet they should be starued; for there is no Hawke, and especially of this kinde, that is too much pinched, but will leaue and giue ouer [Page 116] that thing which she should flye after, and take paines for, and more willingly returne backe to him againe that shee knowes well, hath, and al­so will, on little cause in the end reward her: and therefore when you haue your Hawke full and in good temper, the best course is and will bee for you so to keep her. And let her diet be such, and the quantity thereof with a hand certaine and steadily kept on her; Neither too much at one time, nor too little at a­nother. as that it may main­taine health and strength to preserue her; for hee that hath not so much discretion as to consider of this order, and to gouerne and to vse this Hawke thereafter, shall neuer haue her to flie cer­tainely, but euen as she is fed disorderly, so shee will performe her seruice as carelesly. And this one other thing you ought to take notice of, which is, that as you doe first vse these kind of Hawkes in their luring and training to their diet and feeding, so shall you for the most part finde by them in your further practise and dea­ling with them. Therefore when you shall haue one of them to deale withall, and that in her ma­king you doe finde her apt and forward to your liking, let her not be much pincht howsoeuer you doe in her diet and feeding: and also bee carefull to take good time in her training, with Doues giuen in a long creance for a while, that shee may kill them close by you vntill her coy behauiour and wildnesse be ouer, and shee bee growne familiar, and will suffer you without a­ny coynesse or staring to come in to her: Also [Page 117] let her be fed and rewarded of the same Doues shee kills, or with some other such good meate, onely it beeing hot, let it be a little washt as it were to giue a Faulcon, and no more; for you shal not need to carry so hard or straight a hand as if you intended to flye her to the field. And with this course of so well making, and other such necessary ordering, with casting and sto­ning, as I haue formerly taught, belonging, you shall keepe her full, and lofty of life and spirit to hold her wings withall. And also if by nature there were euer any vpwardnesse or high flying in her in the time of her wildnesse, she will both shew it and hold it, you may be assured of it; and then you may put her to the Riuer, and ha­uing a good make- Hawke, you shall well quar­rie her, and then she will be worthy the accoun­ting of; and the Faulconer that hath so made her shall haue his due praise and commendations for his labour and paines-taking so artificially with her: whereas otherwise if she proue not a high flyer, yet there is no labor lost; for she may quickly change her dyet, and with a straiter order cause her to scratch amongst Spaniels for the Par­tridge, which will also well counteruaile his labour.

CHAP. XXVI. Of the Ramage Lanneret for the Riuer or Field.

THere is not much more to bee said for the Ramage Lanneret, then hath beene heere prescri­bed, and is spoken of the Lan­ner; for what method or order soeuer is meete and fitting for the one, the very same serueth directly for the other, and he also being well mand, losed, trained and made inward to the man, may be also flone to the Riuer; for very many of them are very spiritfull and vpward Hawkes, and being well quarried, proueth very sure & certaine Hawkes, [Page 119] and good fowle-slayers, and are very fit to bee vsed as leaders.

These Hawkes ought to be kept as high and full of flesh as may be, neuerthelesse there ought speciall regard to be had to the stomack alwaies, that with cleane feede, casting, and stones often (that) may be held perfect to cause him main­taine and perform his seruice after the best man­ner. But whosoeuer can by his Art and labour best reclaime and make them to loue and be fa­miliar with the Spaniels he shall vse, and esteeme of them as most meetest for the field, and the equallest match for the Partridge, but they are for the most part very coy and fearefull of the Spaniels.

Yet neuerthelesse of my owne knowledge, if you can bee charie of them at the first entring, and vntill they be well blouded and in loue with their game, although afterward they should sometimes by an vnruly Spaniell be depriued of their prey, yet they will slightly account of it, and remaine neuerthelesse still constant in their loue to the thing they formerly tooke delight in, if you will remember, The Par­tridge. and alwaies be mind­full, as I haue often told you, of the stomacke, that it may be hot and fiery, which will compell them onely to minde their seruice, and not to regard the sight of the dogs, or any other thing; for you must especially consider, and further be mindfull, that the Partridge time is in the som­mer, which is alwaies inclined to heate and hot [Page 120] weather, and therefore you must feede so much the cleaner, and wash the harder to hold him in true subiection withall; whereas otherwise the other sport is in the winter, when as it is farre more sharpe and colder: which must likewise be thought on, and your Hawke be ordered there­after, and fed so much the better.

And whoso will attaine true vnderstanding, ought euermore to be mindfull of the difference of times and seasons, and well to obserue them, and then hee shall bee well able to gouerne his Hawke by Art and discretion; whereas other­wise in being forgetfull thereof, or hauing little or no vnderstanding of those things, he shall not be able to rule them by reason; for being as they are birds of the ayre, which holds seldome certaine, they must be dieted and gouerned ac­cording to the changeable or constant temper of the season, in sommer or winter: and there­fore if you doe well bethinke your selfe, it is no easie matter, for euery one to order and gouerne certainely, such (a body) and hold it alwaies in temper, that is so mutable, and euer altereth as the wether; but he must be expert in his Art, and also his Crafts-master: and so I will cease to say any more of the Ra­mage, and proceed to the Eyas, of the same kinde.

CHAP. XXVII. Of the Eyas Lanner, or Lanneret.

I Will now conclude with the (Eyas Hawke) by which appeares a difference betweene them in their seuerall natures, as well as in their contrary names or titles; all which I shall not neede to speake of any fur­ther in this place, neyther would it be any whit auaileable so to doe, but will proceed as breefe as I may, and out of my owne knowledge and vnderstanding, gathered euen by little practise and obseruation, shew how shee ought to bee made ready to be flone to the field.

And whereas I haue formerly aduised that in all sorts and kindes of Hawkes you ought first to [Page 122] consider of their generation: Secondly in your further labour and practise to finde out their na­ture, and how therein they are inclined: and thirdly, that being rightly and well perceiued, then to frame and fashion by Art and discretion your manner of course and dealing with them, according to the same. Likewise for this Hawke lastly and particularly heere mentioned, you must consider that she was taken out of the nest very young, and after closely kept, fed, and fa­miliarly trained vp onely by the man, whereby of necessity she must needs altogether forget her naturall damme that bredde her, and become louing and fond on him that brought her vp: Also this manner of breeding must needs cause her to differ much in the inclination of her bo­dy from the other, which as you haue heard were bred and trained vp by their damme after another fashion. Wherefore as your former drift and desire was only by your Art and indu­stry to reclaime them from their wildnesse, The Hag­gart or Ramage Hawkes. and draw their loues constantly vnto you. So now on the contrary you must bee as chary that in your teaching and training, you doe not alto­gether besot this Hawke, that is in her owne na­ture too foolish and fond of you already.

And for that I shall not need to prescribe any rule or order for the reclaiming, luring, or any other thing concerning her first handling, I will proceed to the next instruction, which is this: when shee will come rudely to the lure garnisht [Page 123] with meat, and also flye about you for the same: then let her kill two or three liue Doues at the Lure where they may haue some little scope to flicker and stirre about, whereby to giue her the more cause & incouragement to come to them; which when she will do readily, & with an ear­nest desire prey vpon them, let her haue no more after that fashion; but the next time when she is prepared well for it, let her bee lured from man to man, and as shee is comming giue her a field Doue in such a creance as you know it cannot carry quite away from you: then if she do rude­ly and eagerly flye after that and kill it, let her bee well rewarded on it; but after that let her haue no more vpward traines giuen vnto her, nor any other that shee may see to come from the man; for they be such things onely that be­sots, and absolutely spoyles all those kinde of Hawkes. For in euery mans vnderstanding that hath any discerning or obseruing knowledge, their bodies bee tempered with mettle of such induration, as that their owne natures will af­ford and permit them euen to liue of any thing; which is the reason they want spirit and cou­rage, and therefore are for the most part of a drowsie and dull disposition; and what they are first taught and brought vnto, the same they will euerlastingly cleaue vnto, whether it bee good or bad, as to the very Lure and Hawking bag, with hauing or receiuing too much kind­nesse, although but in scraps from them; they [Page 124] will bee so tied and intangled in their loue and desire towards them, as that afterwards with all the paines, Art, and skill that a man hath, hee shall neuer bee able to withdraw their feruent loue so deepely planted there, to bee set on any other thing, or placed otherwhere.

My meaning or intent is not to tye or binde you to this strict limitation with euery Hawke, as iustly to appoint how many Doues to giue and no more; but still do desire that you should be mindfull, and alwaies remember the diffe­rence betweene the good metled Hawke and the bad, and so to vse them in their training and e­uery other way; but how soeuer they shall ap­peare to you, neuerthelesse by my aduice giue as few traines as possible you may to any field Hawke of this kinde, for the foresaid occasions, but euen so soon as they be taught to catch first readily on the Lure, let them haue the rest giuen vnseild with some few feathers drawne from them, that they may kill them al-waies by the ground, without any mounting at all: Also from the fist, and out of the hood; and then so soone as shee will flye and trusse readily that way, leaue off that course, and shew her Par­tridge, and if it bee possible, let her haue some few from the hand, after the same manner: and there is no question but with this course rightly obserued, and well followed, you may make e­uen the veriest slug of the dullest spirit, to be­come a good Hawke, as well for the field and the [Page 125] Partridge, as otherwise to hold out and pursue a traine to the end from the mans hand.

I know there will bee an expectation at my hand of some rules of Physicke for these kinde of Hawkes, and the best answere that I neede to make vnto it, is this: First, there is no sound Hawke whatsoeuer, that shall haue need of any such thing, vnlesse it bee to confound her, that otherwise would doe well; and for these kinde of Hawkes, it goes hard with them when they shall haue any such occasion: and therefore by my counsell, let euery man that hath his Hawke sound and well, striue and bee carefull to keepe her so; for it is farre more easier to doe so, then when he hath through negligence or euill order abused or put her out of temper, to amend her with Physicke againe neyther can he euer do it, vnlesse in some appliment for an apparant out­ward accident; but otherwise, for any inward medicine, let it be euen cleane feed, well washt, and stones with discretion, and once in a weeke to the full and hard Hawke; and on a resting day, ioyne some salendine with them, to cleanse and purge her of such glit, and other imperfection as those Hawkes be most subiect vnto, and haue gathered, with rest or full feeding before.

Likewise for the Goshawke or Tassell, I haue put you in minde already, that they also be free from diuers dangerous diseases that are ordina­ry and common with other Hawkes, as to be ap­parantly liuer-shot, or to haue the Fellanders, or [Page 126] the Crocke, with others more; and to speake

truely, if it bee their fortunes to light first into a wisemans hand, he will keepe any of them euen all her life time, which are many yeeres, and she shall neuer haue surfet, sicknesse, or any one disease or other be­fall vnto her, vnlesse it bee by some strange acci­dent, as in her flying through blowes, brushes, thornes or such like, which is no way to be pre­uented by her keeper, for that she is then vnder her owne gouernment and disposing; for they be all of so strong and sound a constitution af­ter they bee once mued, as that they are euer­more preserued and kept in health by the very force, strength, and vertue of their owne nature, by reason whereof there is little cause why they should be medicined at all.

And whereas I haue heeretofore discoursed & shewed sufficiently of them in euery respect, as how to take them from the mew beeing fat and full, or otherwise from the cage, or else­where, and how to order them accordingly without any medicine or scowring at all: And whereas many men holdes an opinion, that when they haue drawne their Hawke from the [Page 127] mew, it is not possible to make her cleane and ready to flye without two or three scowrings in the meane while: I thinke I haue said enough for that before, and also shewed farre a better way, and therefore I shall not neede to say any more in this place; and also let mee aduise euery young man that wishes well to the sport, and would be a Faulconer, that hee doe neuer giue any manner of scowring or medicine to a sound Hawke, how fat or full soeuer shee be; for there is an olde rule or saying in Physicke, which is, The whole needes no Physition: and for the Hawke I can maintaine it, for I neuer yet knew that euer it did good to any one, but otherwise hath much distempered them, and hazarded their liues; nay otherwise taken it quite away, that else before were in no danger at all. Neuer­thelesse, for that euery one is not of the same o­pinion, but doth otherwayes dispose of him­selfe, and determine to practise on very little or no occasion: I will here for such greefes as these kinde of Hawkes be subiect vnto, set downe so many medicines, as through occa­sion I haue found by experience to be most conuenient and necessary to be applied or giuen vnto them.