The booke of falconrie or havvking for the onely delight and pleasure of all noblemen and gentlemen : collected out of the best authors, aswell Italians as Frenchmen, and some English practises withall concerning falconrie / heretofore published by George Turbervile, Gentleman.

A GENERALL DIVISION OF Hawkes, & Birdes of prey, after the opinion of one Francesco Sforzino Vicentino, an Italian Gentleman Falconer.

FIrst (saith he) you shall vnderstand, that of Hawkes that do liue by prey, and are in knowledge and vse of men, there are nine kinds.

• 1 The Eagle.
• 2 The Mylion.
• 3 The Gerfalcon,
• 4 The Falcon.
• 5 The Merlin.
• 6 The Hobbie.
• 7 The Goshawke.
• 8 The Sparowhawke.
• 9 The Ma∣tagasse.

This Hawke whome I terme a Matagasse, after the French, is in y^e Italian tongue called Regostola Falcone a, and among the Germains Thornkretzer, a Hawke not in vse with vs, & in truth of slender regard & estimation in nature. Yet neuer∣thelesse, both to follow mine Author, and to make my diuision perfect, I hold it néedfull to reckon that kind of Hawke among the rest: and in the latter end of the first part of this treatise, I will briefly describe you his nature, which is no lesse base than strange. You must note, that all these kind of hawkes,* 1.1 haue their male birdes and cockes of euery sort and gender, [As y^e Eagle his Earne, the Mylion his Tercell. the Gerfalcon his Ierkin, the Falcon his Tiercel gentle, the Merlin his Iacke, the Hobby his Robin, the Goshawke his Tiercell, & the Spar∣rowhawk his Musket.] And further, that y^e female of al birds of prey & rauine, is euermore huge than the male, more ven∣trous, hardy, and watchfull, but of such birdes as doe not liue by rauine and prey, the male is more large than the female.

A second or Subdiuision.

MOreouer, you shal know, y^t those nine sorts of hawks, may againe be diuided into two kinds, and either diffe∣ring from the other in condition.

For some of them do prey vpon the foule, by stooping downe from their winges, and so seazing on the foule with their foote, doe breake in sunder with their beakes the neck bone, being of more force and strength in that part, then in the foot or tallons. And this sort of Hawkes do neuer vse to plume or the vypon the fowle whom they haue seazed, vntil such time as they per∣ceiue it to leaue busking and bating in the foote: of which kind and qualytie are,

• 1 The Eagle.
• 2 The Mylion.
• 3 The Gerfalcon.
• 4 The Falcon.
• 5 The Merlin.
• 6 The Hobbie.
• 7 The Ma∣tagasse.

Now that other sort which I speake of, doe slay their prey and game by maine force of wing, at randon & before heade, not stouping at all from their wings, as the other Hawkes do, whome I made mention of before. And thiefe Hawkes haue their chefe force and strength in the foote, and not in the ieake, and therefore no sooner doe seaze vpon the prey, but presentlie they giue themselues to plume and tire thereon Of this sort are,

• 1 The Goshawke.
• 2 The Tiercel of the Goshawke.
• 3 The Sparowhawke.

Thus farre haue I made a generall diuision of all kindes of Hawkes that doe liue by prey: and again (as you sée) haue di∣uided those kinds into two parts. Wherefore now doe I pur∣pose to deale more specially in the matter, and more particu∣larly to procéede to the natures of enerie of them, to yéeld you a more perfect knowledge, and light therein.

Of the names of Hawkes of prey.

AL Hawkes and birds of prey, be comprised and included vnder these two names.

• 1 Aetos. or
• 2 Hierax

which is to say,

• 1 Ahnila or
• 2 Accipiter

which is the

• 1 Eagle. or
• 2 Falcon.

These two kinds doe serue to flie the prey for mans plea∣sure and pastime: of which onely Hawkes, my purpose is to treate and speake in this discourse here following.

For all Hawkes and birds of prey, doe not serue the Falco∣ners vse, but only such as are hardy, and frée of mettle, able to flye the field and riuer. And therefore those onely kinds shall be the iniect of my booke, and not those base, basterdly refuse Hawkes, which are somewhat in name, and nothing in déede.

As the Gréekes would, that Hierax, & the Latines that Ac∣cipiter, which is a special terme to one hawke and bird of prey, should giue the generall name and title to all Hawkes, and birds of prey, because of his excellency: So in like manner, the Frenchmen of our age, haue ordayned that the Falcon, which is a tearme peculier and proper to one kinde of birde of prey, shal giue generall name and appellation to all Hawkes, & birds of prey whatsoeuer they bée, because the Falcon doth passe all other hawkes in boldnes and curtesie, and is most fa∣miliar to man, of all other birds of prey. And thereof it procée∣deth that we say, the Falcon Gentle, the Haggard Falcon, the Falcon Sacre, and so likewise of the other Hawkes, cal∣ling them all by the name of Falcon.

Moreouer, as the Falcon, which is a speciall name of one kind of Hawkes, hath giuen name to all other Hawks & birds of prey: So hath it bestowed the name and title of a Falconer, to euery one of what state or calling soeuer hée bée, that doth deale with any kind of Hawkes and the terme of Falconrie, to the art, profession, and knowledge of luring and manning those birds of prey, by which singular skill, they are made to flée all other fowles, as well those fowles of the ayre, as of the land and riuer. Which in my conceit, deserueth no slender commendation and praise, being a matter almost quite against the lawes of nature and kind, for one fowle so artiffcially to vndertake, and so cruelly to murther another, and hauing at∣chieued his enterprise, with gréedy & willing mind, to repaire to man againe, hauing the whole scope of the heauens, and the circuite of the earth at their pleasure to range and peruse: & to

yéeld themselues in such franke manner to the prison, & custo∣die of man, being by kind set free, and at liberty to prey, and dispose themselues. Such and so great is the singular skill of man, when by art he is resolued to alter the prescribed order of nature, which by industry and paine wée sée is brought to passe and effect.

Of the kinds of Eagles.

HAuing diuided all those birds of prey and rauine, which serue to Falconrie & Hawking, into Eagles & Falcōns, I mean first of all to dicipher you the Eagle & Vulture, whome some haue thought to be comprised vnder the kind of an Ea∣gle. And so consequently after that, to speak of Falcōs, which are birds of prey, seruing to the vse and mystery of Hawking, and taking their names of the Falcon.

Aristotle was of opinion, that there was sixe kindes of Ea∣gles, which are named by him, according as it pleased the inha∣bitants of Gréece to enforme him.

Pliny in making the same diuision of Eagles, hath varied in that point altogether from Aristotle, as touching the names and tearmes of Eagles, for that they were of diuers cōntries, and did write in seuerall languages. But for that I meane in this Booke onely to speake of those kindes of Eagles, which serue to Falconrie, I will deale but with two sorts of Eagles: for at these dayes, wée haue the vse and experience but of the browne Eagle, which is the Eagle Royall, and the blacke Ea∣gle, the other kinds being of a base and slender courage, as no Falconer will paine himselfe to lure them, or manne them for vse or pleasure.

First of the browne or yellow Eagle.

[illustration] depiction of hawk

THe browne or yeallow Eagle after Aristotles opinion, is called in gréek Guyseon, which doth signifie in the French tong (kindly & no bastard born) becaus it is of al other kinds of eagles, the true & right eagle, & he doth cal him by y^e gréek word Chrysaitos, by reason of his goldē mayle, & in latin he is termed

Stellaris, and Herodus. This is that Eagle, whome we call the Eagle royall, king of birds, and sometimes the bird of Iupiter, and that Eagle which ought to bee taken and accounted the principall best, being more huge and large then the rest, and besides more rare & dainty to be séene. For she doth haunt most commonly the toppes of high and craggie mountatnes, and doth there prey vpon all sorts of fowles, as also Hares, kidds, Goats, & such other like wild and sauage beasts of the field.

This Eagle doth liue alwayes solitary and alone, vnlesse happily she hath her broode with her, whome she doth conduct and guide from place to place, the better to instruct them how to kill their prey, and féed themselues. But no sooner hath shée made them perfect, & throughly scoled them therein, but presēt∣ly she chaseth them out of that coast, & doth abandon them the place where they were eyred, and will in no wise brooke thē to abide néere her, to the end, that the country where she disclo∣seth and maketh her eyrie, be not vnfurnished of conuenient prey, which by the number & excessiue store of Eagles, might otherwise be spoyled and made bare. For it is very likely, that if her brood and increace should there make stay, being so huge birds, and of so great rauine, there would in short space lacke prey for her selfe, and by meane thereof bréede her to a father euill and mischiefe: for the auoyding of which, this pro∣uident and carefull fowle doth presently force her brood to de∣part into some other part and Region.

This Eagle may with ease be discerned from the Vulture, because this Eagle Royall, being browne, or yellow maylde, hath not her arms or féet in any cōdition couered with plume, as the Vulture hath.

True it is, that the arme of the Eagle is short, yellow mayld & all beset with scales, y^e pounces large, her beake blacke, long, and crooked at the top. The traine of the Eagle Royall, as also the traine of the slender blacke Eagle is short and stife at the poynt, euen as the traine of the Vulture is.

The Eagle is alwayes of oneselfe hugenesse, in respect of her nature, and it cānot be said, in that she is an Eagle, that she is

eyther larger or lesser, at any one time or other, vnlesse you giue her the surname and addition of blacke, yellow, or some other such proper name and tesme, which doth alter her accor∣ding to her accidents, but nothing at all in regard of her sub∣stance and nature. And were it not that she is so massy a fowl and not portable on the fist, (as in troth she is exceding huge) and besides, it is so hard and difficult a matter to prouide her prey and food, Princes & puissant States, would more vsual∣ly haue her, and hawke with her for their solace and pleasure, than they now do. But by reason she is so hugh and ventrous, she might happily offer force and violence to the eyes and face of her kéeper, if at any time she should conceiue displeasure a∣gainst him. And for this cause cheiflie, the Eagle is not in vse, as other meaner howkes, and of lesse force be in these days.

Hée that will haue the Eagle to be good and tractable, must deuise to take her an Eyesse in the Eirie, māning and accusto∣ming her among houndes and greyhoundes, to the end that when hée goeth and addresseth him to the field, the Eagle soa∣ring aloft ouer the hounds starting the game, Fox, Hare, gote or such like beasts of the wood, she making her downe-come, & stooping from her wings, may so stay, & seaze vopn the game, vntil the dogs come in, and procure the fall thereof. A man may féed her with any kind of flesh, and chiefly of such game and prey, as shée slayeth in the field by flight.

Tawnye or browne mayle in an Eagle, déepe and hallow eyes, specially if she bée bread in the west parts of the whrld, is an assured signe of her goodnesse: for the tawnie Eeale is euer found good in proofe.

Also the whitenes on the head of an Eagle, or on her backe, is a singular token of an excellent Eagle.

That Eagle, that when shée fleeth from the fist of her kéeper, wil eyther flée vpon the man, soaring round about him, or light on the ground, and take the stand, is by all probability & con∣iectture, no inward Eagle, but a fugitiue, and a rangler.

At what time the Eagle displayes her traine in her flight, & makes a turne in her mounty, it is a very great signe that shée

determineth to flye on head, and gadde: the next remedy for which mischiefe, is to throw her out her meat, & lure her with as loude a voyce as you possible may. And if it be so, that shée then stoope not to that which is cast out vnto her, then eyther hath she ouer gorged her selfe, or otherwise shée is too hie, & too full of flesh. A meane to auoide this inconuenience, is to sowe the feathers of her train together, to y^e end she may not spread them abroad, nor vse the benefite of her traine feathers in her flight. Or else another way is, to deplume and make bare her tuell and fundament so as it may appeare, and then certainly for feare of the colde ayre she will not aduenture to mount so hie: but féeling her traine feathers fast sowed together, she wil stand in awe of other Eagles, whome by the meane of that de∣uice and practise, she shall in no wise be able to avoide.

When the Eagle maketh a short turne vpon her kéeper in her flight, & flieth not out aforehead, that is one principall good token that she will not away.

It hath béen sayd, that an Eagle is of force to arrest, and cause a Wolfe to stay, and will take him, with the aid and as∣sistance of doggs, making in to her rescue, and that it hath béen séene and experimented. But for my part I finde the oddes of them so great, as I leaue the beleife of it to the Reader, not re∣citing it as a troth, but a thing written to shew the great har∣dinesse and vndaunted nature of the Eagle.

It is reported that the men of the country where the Eagle eyreth, knowing thereof, and intending to bereaue her young broode, doe arme and well furnish their heads, for feare least y^e Eagle do offer them force and violence. And if so they shew the old bréeder one of her chickens, or tie it to the bough of a trée neare the place where shée buildeth, she will call and cause the damme to repaire thither by continuall cleping, who findeth her, and pitying her cries, will bring it so much prouision and prey, as he that commeth to take her from the eyrie, shal there dayly be sped of as much flesh and prouision as will very rea∣sonably serue him and sixe others. For the old Eagle will con∣uey thither hares, Conies, fowles, and such other like vittel, &

viands, for the supply of her necessity.

The Eagle doth not commonly vse to prey nere vnto her eyrie, but to kill her prouision abroad as farre off as shée may. And if so it happen, shée leaue any flesh after shee is full gorged, that doth she reserue carefully for the next day, to the end that if foule weather should happily grow to hinder her flight, yet she might be stored of sufficient prey for the day following, without any further trauell.

An Eagle doth not forsake or change her Eyrie all her life time, but of custome doth yearely returne, and make repayre to one selfe place, and there buildeth most assuredly, by meane whereof it hath béen noted and obserued in times past, that an Eagle doth liue very many yeares. Before her old age, her beake waxeth so exceding long and crooked at the topp, as shée is much hindered thereby of her féeding: in sort, as shée dyeth not of disease, or by extremity of age, but onely by reason shée cannot possiblie vse the benefite of her beake, being accrewd & growne to such an exceding length and disproportion. Wher∣of commeth the Prouerbe be as I take it, Aquila senectus, the age of an Eagle, which is properly applyed to men that doe liue onely by drinke, as old men are wont to doe.

The Eagle doth euer wage warre with the little Roytelet, whome the French men doe so tearme, for that this fowle is thought to be a little king among birds, as the Etimologie of the worde doth séeme to import, the Latines likewise they call him Regulus, and the Germanes a Golden line. Alls•• occasion and chiefe ground of this controuersie betwixt the Eagle and the Goldhenline is (by the report of Aristotle) onely vpon the name, for that she is called the king of birds: of which title & preheminence the Eagle would willingly bereaue her.

Againe, there is one other kind of little fowle, whome Ari∣stotle calleth a Sitta, the Latines Reptitatrix or Scandulaca, & the Frenchmen Grimperean, that doth the Eagle very great outrage, & offence, For no sooner perceiueth she the Eagle to be absent from the eyrie, but presently in great despight shée breaketh all her egs in péeces.

This little soule is cal∣led.

In Frēch,

Roytelet.

In Latine.

Rēgulus.

In the Ger∣man tong.

Goldhē∣lyne.

These two being in a manner y^e least birds of all other, are the greatest and deadliest enemies to the Eagle,

That o∣ther,

In Gréeke.

Sitta.

In Latine.

Scandulaca

In French.

Grinpereau

and do contend with her vpon poyntes of principality and rule.

When I said before, that the Eagle royall was of a yellow mayle, I meant nothing else by that speech, but that the Eagle was mayld, of the very colour of a Dears haire, which is in déede not yellow, but browne or tawny. And albeit Aristotle for his pleasure, termed it by the Gréek word, Chrisatos, which is as much in effect as to say, y^e Golden Eagle: yet must it not therefore be concluded, that this Eagle is of a right Golden mayle, but of a more browne or tawny mayle, then the other kind of Eagle is.

The Paynters and Statuaries of Rome haue disguised this Eagle in their portraytures, for euery man knoweth that it is farre otherwise, then they haue drawne it, As well the browne Eagles as the blacke, are skinned and vncased, as the Vultures be, and their skinnes rent to the Furryers and pellitors of Fraunce, with their wings, heades, and tallons, and euen of the same very co∣lour, as I haue here set it downe and decla∣red it vnto you.

Of the blacke Eagle.

[illustration] depiction of hawk

I Haue signified vnto you, that there are onely two sorts of Eagles which serue for Falconrie, which are the yellow or tawnie Eagle, whome I haue hitherto treated of, and the blacke Eagle whome I must now decypher vnto you.

Aristotle doth terme the blacke Eagle Melauratus, and La∣goph••••os, because shée taketh the Hare: and this Eagle y^e La∣tines call Pulla, Fuluia Leporaria and Valeria, y^e oddes and dif∣ference betwixt these two Eagles is easie to be found, for this blacke Eagle is lesse than the Eagle royall, which is y^e yellow and tawnie Eagle, and the blacke Eagle doth as much differ from the yellow Eagle, as y^e blacke Milion doth from the Mi∣lion Royall.

Plinie hath placed this blacke Eagle in the first order and rancke of Eagles, as one that would willinly prefer hir before oll other kinds of Eagles. And héere Aristotle hath set her but in the third order and place.

The blacke Eagle (sayth he) being lesse huge and corpulent than the other, is of farre more force and excellencie.

Moreouer, he affirmeth that the Eagles doe towre vp and mount so hie, of purpose for prospect, and to sée from farre. And by reason that their sight is so cleare and perfect, men haue re∣ported them of all others, to be y^e only birdes that do partici∣pate with the diuine nature.

Moreouer, for the feare the Eagle hath of her excellent eies, shée maketh not her stooping from her gate at once, and rashly, as other kind of long winged hawkes do, but by little & little.

The Hare is a prey in whome she taketh great pleasure, yet when she findeth the Hare running, she offereth not forthwith to seaze vpō him on the Mountaine, but can forbeare and stai•• her time, vntill he be on the plain champion, and thē seazing on him, shée presently carrieth him not away, but doth first make triall and experience of him, poysing and waying him in her pounces, and after that lifting vp y^e silke beast, doth beare him cleane away, and preyeth on him at her best will and pleasure

Now as touching the Vultures, and first of the large ashe coloured or blacke Vulture.

[illustration] depiction of hawk

THere are two sorts of Vultures, to wit, the ashe maild, or blacke Vulture, and the browne or whitish Vulture.

First will I speake of the blacke or ashemaild Vulture, who is in deede more huge than the browne, for the ashe co∣loured Vulture is y^e most larg bird of prey that is to be found, and the female Vulture more large then the male, euen as it falleth out by experience in all kindes of birds of prey and ra∣uine.

The gréekes, they call the Vulture Gips, and the Latines Ʋulture.

This Hawke is a passenger in Egypt, more known by her coate and case thē otherwise, because the furriers do vse their skinnes for stomachers, to guarde and defend the breast a∣gainst the force of feruent cold.

All other birdes of prey doe differ from the Vulture, in that they are destitute and void of plumage vnder their winges, whereas the Vultures be there vested & couered with an ex∣cellent fine downe. Their skinne is thicke like a Goats skin, and namely you shall find vnder their gorge, a certain patch of the breadth of your hand, where the plume is somwhat in∣clining to a red, like the haire of a Calfe, for y^e kind of plume hath not a web fashioned, as other feathers are vsually shapt and proportioned, but are like vnto the downe which is to be found on eyther side the necke, & on the vpper part of y^e pini∣on & bent of the wing, in which parts the down is so white that it glistereth, and is as soft as silke.

The Vultures haue this one point special, and peculiar to themselues, in that they are rough legged, a thing that hap∣neth not to any other kind of Eagles or birds of prey.

Of the lesse Vulture, which is the browne or whitish Vulture.

[illustration] depiction of hawk

THe brown or whitish Vulture doth differ from y^e blacke maylde Vulture, in that hée is somewhat lesse then the blacke Vulture is, hauing the plumage of her throate or gorge, of her backe, the feathers vnder the belly neare the pannell, and of the whole body tawnie, or browne of colour: but the brayle feathers, and of the traine, like to those of the blacke maylde Vulture, which induceth some to thinke that there is no difference at all betwixt those two kinds, saue that the one is male, and that other female, in the same gender and kind. But this is most certaine and assured, that with Noble personages you shall sée aswell the one kinde as the o∣ther. Eyther sort hath a short trayne in regard of the largnesse of their wings, which is not the nature and shape of other birdes of rauine and prey, saue onely that fowle whome the French tearme (Piscuerd,) the Italians, Pigozo, & in our mo∣ther spéech, I may call the Wodwall.

You shall euer find the Vultures rough, and hairie legged, which is an euident signe that they fret and rubbe them a∣gainst the rockes, where their cheife abode and stay is. And further you shall note that the browne or blancke Vultures are more rare and dainty to bée séene, then the blacke or ashe∣maylde be.

Againe this is peculyer to them in their kind, that the fea∣thers on their heads bée short in respect of the Eagles feathers, which hath béene some cause that they haue béene thought to bée balde and without plume, though in very déede it bée no∣thing so.

The Vulture that is ash coloured or blacke maylde, hath short armes all beset with plume, euen to the very Talons, which is a specially note among all those birds of rauine, onely peculiar to them, and not to any other fowle, hauing crooked Talons, vnlesse it be the Owle, who is rough legged euen in sort as these Vultures be.

To discerne the browne from the ashemayled Vulture, you must note, that the browne Vulture hath her necke feathers very streight and long, much like to those that y^e Cocke hath

or the Stare. In regard of those feathers on her backe, sides, and the corner of the plye of her wings, which are little and slender, in manner of scales, but the breast feathers, as also those on the backe, and the couert feathers of the traine are to the red Vulture red, and to the blacke Vulture blacke, and to both kindes very large: by meane of their hugenes they can not be vpon their wings, nor rise from the stand without some aduantage.

A man shall seldome sée them vpon the plaines, and cham∣pion of Italie, Almanie, and France, vnlesse happily sometime in the winter, for then they raunge and wander into euerie part, for at that time in cheife they abandon and forsake the toppes of the stately and high mountaines, to auoyde the ex∣tremitie of cold, and do take their passage into more hote re∣gions and countries, where the climate doth better serue their purpose, and better agrée with their nature.

The Vultures at the most, doe not disclose aboue two or thrée Chickens or young birds, and it is a very hard matter, and almost impossible for any man to robbe their Eyrie, for that most commonly they build in some hanging cliffe whe∣ther there is very hard and daungerous accesse. They may bée nourished and fedde with tripes, offall, and inwardes of beastes. And because they doe vsually haunt the fieldes of purpose to deuoure the offall, and refuse parts of such beastes as men haue slaughtered and slaine, and such like carrion, some men are of opinion, that they doe presage and betoken great murther and bloodie spoyle of men that are in armes.

The opinion of William Tardiffe a Frenchman, concerning the diuision of birds of prey, and other things worthie the obseruation.

BIrds of prey (sayeth he) which we vse in Falconrie, be of thrée kinds.

The

• Eagle.
• Falcon.
• Goshawke.

Of Eagles there are two kinds, the one is absolutely called the Eagle, the other Zimiech.

• ...Aquila,
• ...Zimiech,

A red mayle in an Eagle, and déepe eyes, specially if shée be bred in the west mountaines (as is before said) is one special signe of her goodnes.

Whitenes vpon the head or backe of an Eagle, betokeneth the Excellency of the Eagle, which in the Arabian tongue is tearmed,

• Zimiach, in the Sirian language.
• Mearan, in the Gréeke.
• Philadelph, among the Latines.
• Mylyon.

The Eagle must euer bée taken when shée is in the eyrie, for her condition is to waxe afterwards very bold & outragi∣ous. It is said, that when the Eagle beginneth to grow to li∣king, neare cawking or calling time, shée cōmonly flyeth with other Eagles, bearing with them to their stand where they vse to prey, a péece of Arsenicke, otherwise called Orpiment, which doth delay and mortifie their lust and desire.

The Eagle will seaze vpon the Goshawke, and any other fowle of rauine, or prey that doth flée with Iesses, making sure account that it is a fit prey for her. And for that onely cause and none other, coueteth to apprehend and take them in their flight, for when they are wild and ramage, vsing the deserts, shée offereth them not any such violence.

A meane to auoyde the Eagle, when a man is determined to flée with his Hawke, is to plucke off the Hawks Iesses be∣fore shée flée, for otherwise let her doe her best, shée shall not es∣cape the Eagle.

That Eagle, which is the kingly and right Eagle indéede, will slay the Hare, the Foxe, and such like beasts of the forrest and field.

The Eagle called Zimiech, will kill the Crane, and other lesse fowles.

A Devise and Remedie for you, when the Eagle doth molest and hinder your game in Hawking.

FInde the meanes to gette an Eagle, and séele vp her eyes, but yet in such sort, as she may haue a little sight to aspire and clime to her mountée, into whose tuell and fundament, conuey a little Assa fetida, and sow vp the place. Then tye to her legges, eyther a wing, a péece of flesh, or a redde cloth, which the other Eagles may coniecture to be flesh, and so let her slye. For then will shée in her flight, for her owne safety and assurance, pull downe all the other Eagles from their stately gate and pitch, which otherwise she would neuer doe, were it not for the paine of that which is conueighed into her tuell.

Now will I lay you downe the report of Francis Sforzino Vicentino, an Italian, as touching the Diuision and Nature of Eagles, and so proceede to the Falcon.

[illustration]

THere are two sorts of Eagles, that is to say, the huge and royall Eagle, which is the Haggart or passenger. And a lesse Eagle, which is a base and bastard Eagle, in re∣spect of the other.

The right Eagle is bredde in the highest clyues of the Leuant, and specially in those of Ciprus. They are as large as a wild Goose, and more. Some of them are of a browne mayle, and some other of a spotted mayle, their gorges and breastes are full of straked lynes, tending to redde, they haue long heades, great beakes, and very much crookt, strong armes and rough large stretchers, in a manner as great as the palme of a mans hand, boystrous talons, and a reasonable long trayne.

These Eagles, in the mayne fielde will take the Hare, and by force hold him, and carrye him in the ayre, as they flée, vntill they espie some rocke or other fit stand, where they may prey vpon him. In like sort they take other beastes, and sundry times doe roue and raunge abroad to beat & seaze on Goates, kiddes, and Fawnes. They are in vse, and price with sundry noble men, as hath béene reported vnto mée credibly.

The great Turke of all other Princes, doth most vse to flée with the Eagle, and doth giue his Falconers in charge to man and lure them, as they doe the Goshawke: and being throughly manned, hath a cast of Eagles at one time, vpon one pearch: betwixt twoo of his people into the field, when they are there, they flée both together, the one at the mown∣tée, a very stately pitch, and the other more base and low, and that Eagle that doth flye the base pitch, is taught to make a great noyse as shée roueth too and fro ouer the Forrest, not much vnlike the questing or calling of a dogge, by meane of which sodayne cry and noyse, diuers times there issue out of the couert, some wilde and sauage Beastes, which are no sooner discried by that high fléeing Eagle, but sodainly shée bateth of her pitch, and stoopeth from her wings, & at the down-come eyther seazeth or rifleth some one of them, slaying them by force, vntill the dogges may make in to her reskew. And thus betwixt the Eagle and curres, the prey

is taken not without the great pleasure and liking of that mighty Prince the Turke. You may gesse of the excellency of this gallant Pastime, if it be true, as it is vouched by re∣port. Herein I can affirme nothing of my selfe, but doe follow mine Author, from whome I collected this kind of hawking, and am bold to make recitall of it in this place, both for the hugenesse of the fowle, as also the strangenesse of the pra∣ctise.

All these kindes of Eagles, haue their Tyercells or male birdes, of whome some huge, some of middle syse, and other some lesse, which are called Bastard Eagles, not had in any account.

Thus (as you sée) haue I layd downe to your view and iudgements, the kinds and sorts of Eagles, with their pro∣per descriptions due to them, and other poynts incident too their natures: and haue stayed more about the matter, than néeded, in mine owne opinion, being a fowle so little in vse with vs, but I haue done it as well to make my diuision per∣fectly, as also to decypher that, which euery one perhaps hath not read, as touching the naturall inclynation of this royall bird, who for that shée is Quéene and chiefe of all Hawkes, deserueth some larger discourse than the rest, which are in nature more base, though in vse more familyar and ordynarie.

Of the Falcon, and how many sorts of Falcons there are.

[illustration] depiction of hawk

THere are seauen kinds of Falcons, & among them all for her noblenesse and hardy courage, & withal y^e francknes

of her mettell, I may, and do meane to place the Falcon gen∣tle in chiefe.

1 This Falcon is called the Falcon Gentle, for her gentle and courteous condition and fashions. In heart and courage she is valiant, ventrous, strong, and good to brooke both heate and cold, as to whome there commeth no weather amisse at any time, whereas the most part of other Hawkes, eyther are lightly offended with the one or the other, and must haue a hand kept vpon them accordingly, or otherwise there is no great pleasure to be taken in them.

The Haggart Falcon.

2 The second, is the Haggart Falcon, which is otherwise tearmed the Peregrine Falcon. The Haggart is an excellent good bird, but (as my Author affirmeth) very choyce, and ten∣der to endure hard wheather: but in myne owne conceit shee is in nature farre otherwise. And my reason is this, that shée should be better able to endure cold then the Falcon Gentle, because shée doth come from forraine parts a straunger, and a passenger, and doth winne all her prey and meat at the har∣dest by maine wing, and doth arriue in those parts, where shée is taken when the fowles doe come in great flockes, which is the very hardest part of the yeare. Moreouer being a hote Hawke by kind, shée should the better sustaine the force of weather, and that shée is a hote Hawke of nature, may bée gathered by her flying so high a pitch, which I take to be, for that in the higher partes, shée findeth the colder ayre, for the middle region is more cold then the rest, because thether com∣meth no reflexion. And againe, shée meweth with more expedi∣tion (if she once begin to cast her feathers) then the other Fal∣cons doe. But these points of controuersie I leaue to the lear∣ned, and such as haue the experience of the matter.

The Barbarie, or Tartaret Falcon.

3 The third, is that Falcon which is called the Tartaret, or Barbary Falcon, whome they do chiefly vse in Barbary, and

most account of.

The Gerfalcon.

4 The fourth, is the Gerfalcon, which is generall, and com∣mon inough, as well in Fraunce, as in other places.

The Sacre.

5 The fift, is the Falcon Sacre.

The Laner.

6 The sixt, the Laner, common, as well in Fraunce, as in other Regions.

The Tunician.

7 The seauenth, is y^e Tunitian Falcon. These seauen kinds of Falcons are all hardy and good, according to the prey that belongeth to their force and nature. For they are diuers in nature, and of seuerall plumes, and besides that, disclosed and eyred in diuers countries. Wherefore I meane to touch eue∣ry one of their natures, and to declare you, wherevnto each is enclined, according as they are manned, & gouerned: and first of all I will treate of the Falcon Gentle.

But before I speake of the Falcon Gentle, I will somwhat touch the Etimologie of the name, and lay down the opinons of two learned men, and ancient writers, as touching that matter.

First Suidas a Gréeke Author doth affirme, that Falco which in our mother spéech doth import a Falcon, is a generall name to all Hawkes of prey and rauine, as Accipiter is in Latine, and Hierax in Gréeke.

Festus, he is of opinion, that the Falcon is so named, because of her pounces, and crooked talons, which do bend like vnto a sith or sickle, which in Latine is called Falx.

But wherehence soeuer the name is deriued, this is most assured, that of all other birds of prey, the Falcon is most ex∣cellent, and the very Prince of all other Hawkes, both for her goodnesse of wing, and great hardinesse and courage.

Of the Falcon Gentle, and her property.

[illustration] depiction of hawk

THe Falcon gentle, by nature doth loue to flée the Hearon euery way, & is a very good Hearoner, as well from her

wings at the down-come, as from the fist, and aforehead, and will flée all other kinds of greater fowles, as those which are tearmed birds of Paradise, fowles more large then the Hearō. Moreouer shée is good to flée the shoueler, a fowle like the Hearon, but somewhat lesse, the wilde Goose, and such o∣therlike fowles, and therefore is excellent at the riuer or brook. If you take the Falcon Gentle an eyesse, you may boldly flée the Crane with her, but if shée be not an Eyesse, shée will ne∣uer be so hardy as to venture on the Crane. And therefore being an Eyesse, and neuer séeing, nor knowing any other lesse fowle then the Crane, if you cast her off to the Crane, she forthwith thinketh it to be a fowle fit for her, and by meane thereof fléeth the Crane very well, and becommeth a very good Crane fléer, for hawks commonly proue eyther cowards, or hardie after they are first quarred.

An Observation.

IF a man doe well, he should neuer take the Falcons out of the Eyrie, till time they be fully summed & hard penned, or if hée do happely commit that errour, hée should not man her, but presently cause her to be conueighed and placed in an Ey∣rie that most doth resemble the Eyrie of a Hawke, if hée may conueniently come by any such, and there bréed her, and feede her with good flesh, such as the flesh of Pullets, Chickens, Pigeons, and such like, for otherwise her wings will not grow to any perfection, and her legs and other parts would quicklie be broken & waxe crooked, and her traine feathers, and for the most part, all her long feathers and flags be full of taints.

The good shape of a Falcon.

THat you may the better make choyce of your Falcon, and know a good Falcon from a refuse, I will discribe you the perfect shape of a right good Falcon, such a one as is very like to bée good, though many times wée sée, that in proofe, the most likely things to shew, and to the eye, becom in proofe, the worst and of least regard.

The shape of a good Falcon therefore is, first to haue wide nares, high and large eye-liddes, a great blacke eye, a round head, some what full on the toppe, a short thicke beake, blew as azure, a reasonable high necke, barbe feathers vnder the clappe of the beake, a good large breast, round, fleshly, strong, hard and stiffe bonded And that is the true cause, why the Falcon doth greatly affie in her breast, and striketh with it, and gageth it most at her encounter. And by meane shée is ve∣ry strong armed, shée vseth the more fréely also to strike a foule with her pounces and talons. Moreouer shée must be broade shouldred, shée must haue slender sayles, full sides, long and great thighes, shée must be strong and short armed, large foo∣ted, with the seare of the foot soft, and all one for hew with the seare of the beake and nares, blacke pownces, long wings and crossing the traine, which traine ought to be short, and apt to bend and bow to euery side. For in the traine of a Hawke doth consist a great helpe, when shée flyeth. And therefore (as well as for beautie) if a traine feather or couert feather be bro∣ken or bruised, we doe couet to ympe them againe, or set them to right, because it may be the lesse hinderance to the hawke in her flight.

You must note that those very Falcons, that are of one kinde and sort, haue very great difference and odds betwixt them, and are called by diuers names, according to the time that a man beginneth to deale with them, and doth vndertake them, according to the places where they haunt, and according to the Countries whence they come.

They are diuided into mewed Hakes, Rammage hawkes, Sore-hawkes, and Eyesses, into large Hawkes, meane hawkes, and slender hawes, all which are of diuers and se∣uerall plumes and mayles, according to the diuersitie of the regions. Also they are of diuers prices, according to the good∣nesse and estimation of them. Againe, some are blacke Fal∣cons, some russet Falcons, some other blanck Falcons: some of which are riuer Hawkes, to slay the fowle at the brooke, and other some field hawkes, to flye the land, and there to

kill the Fesant, Partridge, and such like fowles. Thus you sée how diuers and many they be, according to their outwarde accidents, and yet in nature, all Falcons. Therefore because I am to treate of euery kind seuerall, I will not longer holde you in this place, with description of the Falcon Gentle: but hereafter when I write in another place of the diseases, cures and the manning of these hawkes, I will as neare as I may, let passe nothing that shall belong in any respect vnto the Fal∣con, but that in one place or other you shall finde it.

Of the names of a Falcon, according to her age and taking.

THe first name and tearme that they bestow on a Falcon, is an Eyesse, and this name doth last as long as shée is in the Eyrie, and for that shée is taken from the Eyrie.

Those Falcons are tedious, and doe vse to crie very much, in their féeding they are troublesone and painefull to bée en∣tred: but being once well entred and quarred, they leaue a great part of that vice, and doe proue very good to the Hearon, and to the riuer: and all other kinds of fowle they are hardy, and naturally full of good mettle.

2 The second name is a ramage Falcon, and so shée is cal∣led when shee hath departed and left the Eyrie, that name doth last, and shée is called a ramage Hawke, May, Iune, Iuly, and August. These Falcons are hard to bée manned by reason of the heat, and for that they can ill brooke hunger, or to stand emptie panneld: but who so can vse them with patience and iudgement, shall find them passing good, for that they are with∣out fault.

3 Thirdly they are called sore Hawkes, from the end of Au∣gust, to the last of September, October, and Nouember.

Those Hawks are of good disposition, they will doe verie well, and are in their prime, and full pride for beautie and goodnesse. Neuerthelesse those first plumes that they haue, when they forsake the Eyrie, those doe they keepe one whole

yeare before they cast or mew them, and that kind of feather, is called the Sore-feather. According to the diuersitie of these tearmes and times, these Hawkes doe become better and better to be manned and kept.

4 The fourth spéech and tearme that is bestowed on them, (as my Italian Author doth call them) is, that they are tear∣med Marzaroly, and so are they called from Ianuary, Febru∣ary, March, Aprill, vntill the middest of May. I haue no pro∣per English phrase for them, but they are very tedious and painefull, and the reason is, for that they must bée kept on the fist all that space. Diuers of them are great baters, and there∣fore not very gréedy of meate or hungrie, they are but badde Hawkes, much subiect to Filanders and the wormes, who lookes to winne credit or good by kéeping them, must be of good experience, and no lesse patience.

5 Fiftly, they are called (Entermewers) or Hawkes of the first coate, that is, from the middle of May till Iune, Iuly, Au∣gust, September, October, Nouember, December.

Those Hawkes are called Entermewers, for that they cast the old, and haue new feathers, and they prooue very good, and hardy Hawkes, but no great trust is to be giuen thē, for that they are giddy headed and fickle: wherefore he that lookes to haue good, or credit by kéeping of them, must be very circum∣spect, and regard their natures very well, and must kéepe a good hard hand on them, and must make his fist their pearch, & neuer in a maner let them be from the fist. [And thus v∣sed,* 1.2 they are in that yeare the highest flyers, & most apt for the riuer.]

Besides in those seuen kindes of Falcons, which I spake of in the first diuision, there are included sondry sortes tear∣med according to the Countries and places where they are eyried, and whence they come: the speciall names and proper∣ties of all which, I hold it not so néedfull to discourse vpon, speaking fully & sufficiently of those seuen kinds of Falcons in their times and places, as they shall offer themselues in order vnto mée to bée decyphered vnto the Reader, to whose good

iudgement and industrie. I meane to referre and leaue sondry things which I leaue vnspoken of, for that there is no man that is desirous of skill, but may with ease and will with dily∣gence (I doubt not) flée ouer to those very Authors in French and Italian, from whence I haue made this briefe collection, where he shall be assured to find things more at large set out: but the effect (vnlesse I be deceyued) comprised in these few pages of paper aswell concerning the kinds of Hawkes, as al∣so their manning, luring, flights, mewing, diseases, and cures in euery condition, as (I trust) to the pleasure and profit of the gentle and willing reader. Wherefore I will now procéede to the Haggart Falcon, a most excellent bird, if her nature and property be obserued in due maner.

Of the Haggart Falcon, and why shee is called the Peregrine, or Haggart.

I Haue many times studied with my selfe, for what cause the Haggart Falcons, the most excellent birds of all other Fal∣cons, haue béen tearmed Haggart or Peregrine Hawks. And at first was of opinion, that men so called thē, for that they are brought vnto vs from farre and forraine Countries, and are in déede méere strangers in Italie, (and as a man may call them) trauailers. And this I know for truth, they are not disclosed or eyred in Italie, and besides that, there are few in Italie that do take them at any time, but the greatest store of them are brought and conueied thither from forrane Regions, but if they should be tearmed peregrine or Haggart Falcōs, for this only cause, & onely in respect hereof, & nothing else, then might we as well bestow that name also vpon all other Falcons, y^t are not bred in Italy, as vpon the Tunitian & other Hawkes that are passengers. Wherefore I am of opinion, that for thrée causes principally, and in cheife, they are called Haggart or pe∣regrine Falcons.

1 First, because a man connot find, nor euer yet did any man Christian or Heathen find their eyrie in any Region, so as it

may well be thought, that for that occasion they haue atchiued and gotten that name and terme of Peregrine or Haggart fal∣cons, as if a man would call them Pilgrims or Forrainers.

2 The second cause is, because these Falcons do rangle and wander more than any other sort of Falcons are wont to doe, séeking out more strange and vncouth countries, which in∣deede may giue them that title of Haggart & peregrine hawks for theyr excellency, because they do séeke somany strange & forraine coasts, and do rangle so farr abroad.

3 The Third and last cause, I doe thinke, may be their beau∣ty and excellency, because this word (Peregrino) or Peregrine, doth many times import an honourable & choice matter had in great regard: but it skilleth not much which of these thrée alleadged is the true cause, wée will not stand vpon that nice point, for that a good Falconer ought much more to regard the scearching out of the true nature and property of Hawkes, then to haue so great and speciall respect vnto their names, and tearmes.

Wherefore I conclude, that these Haggart Falcons are not of Italie, but transported and brought thither from forraine places, as namely from Alexandria, Ciprus, and Candy. And yet this is for certaine, that in Italie there are taken of these Haggart Falcons, as in the dominion of the renowned Duke of Ferrara, & in the countrie neare Rauenna, being brought thither by force of weather and wind. And by that meanes there are none of those Haggarts found Eyesses, but they are al either soare Hawkes, or mewed Haggarts.

Of shape and proportion they are like the other Falcons, & are of thrée sorts, as touching their making and mould, that is to say, large, little, or Falcons of a middle size. Some of them are long shapt, some short trussed Falcons, some larger, some lesse.

They are ordinarily of foure mayles, eyther blancke, russet, browne, or turtle mayld, and some pure white maylde, with∣out any iote or sport of any other colour, but those a man shall very seldome sée. And for that cause I meane not to say much

of that kind of mayled Falcons, but will deale with such as are more ordinarie in vse.

Of the good shape of a Haggart Falcon.

[illustration] depiction of hawk

A Good and right Haggart Falcon ought to haue her head of darke or blanck plume, flat on the toppe, with a white wreath or garland enuironing her head, a large blew bending beake, widenares, a great, ful, blacke eye, hie, stately necke, large breast, broad shouldred, a great feather, in colour like the feather of a Turtle, long vaines and sayles, but slender shapte, long traine, high thighes, and white on the inside, I meane her pendant feathers, short and great armed, large wide foot, with slender stretchers and falons, and the same to bée eyther pale white maylde, or pale blewish, tending somewhat to azure. These are generally, the most assured tokens of an excellent Haggart Falcon.

How to know a Haggart by her fleeing.

A Good skilfull Falconer, will quickly discern a good Hag∣gart Falcon, from a sleight Falcon, though he be far off, by the stirring of her wings. For that a Haggart Falcon vseth not a thick stroke, but stirreth her wing by leasure and seldom, & getteth vp to her mountée, without any great making out. And although perhaps she be not so large as the fleight or soare Falcon, yet to séeming and shew, she is more large, which hap∣peneth by meane of her sayles, which in very déed are of grea∣ter scope and compasse than the fleight Falcons are. Contrari∣wise the fleight Falcon shee vseth a more short and quicker stroke with her wing then the Haggart doth, & doth not deale so leasurely. There are besids this one difference, sondry other betwixt these two kinds of Falcons, which in this place I will deliuer you, for that you shall the better iudge the ods betwixt them, béeing both very good Falcons, and the best of all other, both for field, and riuer.

The difference and ods betwixt the Haggart, and the Falcon Gentle.

FOr that diuers haue delight to know the difference betwixt the Falcon Gentle and the Haggart, I will here shew you

certaine speciall points concerning the difference of them both. First the Haggart is a larger hawke then the Falcon gentle, and a longer armed Hawke, with a reasonable large foot, and her talons more long then the Falcon Gentles are, a hie necke and a long, a fayre seasoned head, and a more long beake then the other hath.

1 The beam feathers of the Haggart, as shée is in her slight, are longer then the Falcon gentles, her traine somewhat lar∣ger, the Haggart hath a flatte thigh, but the Falcon gentle a round thigh.

2 The Haggart will lie longer on her wings thē the Falcon Gentle, and hath a more deliberate and leasurely stroke then the other Falcon hath, as I sayd before.

3 From the fist, it is reported by some, that the Falcon Gen∣tle doth flie more spéedily then the Haggart, but at a long flight the Haggart is farre the better of both, and doth exell all other kind of Hawkes both for good wing, and maintenance of her flight, which is a perfect proofe of a very good backe.

4 The Falcon Gentle is more hasty and hote in all her do∣ings then the Haggart, and is thought more rash and out∣ragious of nature then the Haggart is. And when they flée to∣gether, the Falcon Gentle will make her stooping and downe∣come more vnaduisedly, and will vse the greater haste to be at her pitch againe then the other, and missing the fowle at the stooping, the Falcon gentle is in the greater chafe, and will presētly flée on head at the check, so as many times shée is hard to come by againe. Whereas the Haggart is more deliberate & better aduised, which procéedeth in my opinion, for that shée better knoweth the aduantage of her slight, than the Falcon gentle, because shée hath béen forced often to prey for her selfe, & hath not béen subiect to the order of any kéeper, neither hath had any hand kept vpon her, to make her eager & gréedy of the prey, more then naturally shée is accustomed to flée at her seasons to gorge her selfe, which she doth both aduisedly and to great aduantage.

5 The Haggart Falcon is taken in Candie, Rhodes, and

many other places, of that Sea which is called Archipelagus, or the Aegean Sea.

6 The best sort of those Haggart Falcons, haue their beakes of the colour of azure.

7 Those of Ciprus which are small Hawks, and of a russet mayle, they are the most hardy and ventrous Hawkes of all others.

Much more might be said, as touching the Haggart, and Falcon Gentle: but for that the Hawks are dayly in hand and view, and because I haue a larger field to eare, which is to lay you downe the manning of them, and such things as are more necessarie to a good Falconer, I leaue it, and will procéede to the next kind of Falcon, which is the Tartaret or Barbarie Falcon. As touching whose name and nature I meane to deliuer you, what I haue gathered as well out of the French Copie, as also borrowed from the Italian, whome I do much reuerence as well for his language, as for his rare and deepe deuise in al things wherein he hoth deale.

Of the Barbarie Falcon.

[illustration] depiction of hawk

THe Barbarie or Tartaret Falcon, is a Hawke not very common in any Country, and she is called a passenger or passeby, euen as the Haggart Falcon is.

They are not full so large as the Tiercell Gentle, though some men do write otherwise of them, they are red plumed vnder the wing, strong armed with long talons & stretchers. They are very ventrous vpon all kind of fowles, and will flie at any game that the Haggart doth. With this Tartarot, or Barbary Falcon, and the Haggart also, you may flée all May and Iune, for they are Hawkes that are very slacke in mew∣ing at the first, but when they once beginne, they mew & shedd their feathers very fast.

For what cause this Falcon is called a Barbary, or Tartaret Falcon.

THese kind of Falcons are called Barbarie Falcons, for that most commonly they make their passage through Barbary and Tunyse, where they are taken more often thā in any other place: As namely, in the Isles of Leuant, Candy, Ci∣pres and Rhodes, where these Hawkes do more frequent and vse, then in any other Region, and the country men will sooner take them, by endeauour if they may, then any Hawkes that are eyréed in their Country. And truely I do not thinke, that in any other place, there are so many good Crane-slayers, as there are to be had in the Isle of Candy. The reason of it is, for that the Nobility and states of the Country, are much more enclined to kéepe those kind of Hawks that will kil the Crane, then any other people are elsewhere, and they doe enure and make their Falcons to that kind of game, more than to any o∣ther fowle. And surely you shall there haue excellent good Hawkes.

Thus much it hath pleased mine Author to write of, and in commendation of the Barbarie Falcon: but here with vs in England, I neuer saw or heard of the proofe of those hawkes, to be so good or excellent, as by his report I find them. Sondry other kind of Falcons proue better with vs here, as namely, the Falcon Gentle, the Haggart, and such like, which eyther are passengers, or brought to vs from other Countries. The

Barbarie Hawk is much lesse then eyther the Falcon gentle, or the Haggart, and therefore I will onely follow mine Au∣thor as thuching her prayse, and so procéede to the next kind of Falcons, deliuering you both the opinion of the Italian, and French Gentlemen therein.

Of the Gerfalcon.

[illustration] depiction of hawk

THe Gerfalcon is a bird of great force, a very fayre hawke, specially being mewed, she is strong armed, she hath large stretchers and singles, she is fierce & hardy of nature, by mean whereof shée is the more difficult and hard to be reclaymed. A Gerfalcon will looke to haue a gentle hand kept on her, and her keeper to be curteous and full of patience. The Gerfalcon is a gallant Hawke to behold, more huge then any other kind of Falcon, her eyes and her head are like the Haggart Falcon. She hath a great bending beak, large nares, a mayle like vn∣to a Laner, very long sayles, and sharp pointed, a traine much like the Laner, a large foot, marble seared, blanck, russet, and brown plumed as other Falcons be, more beutifully to the eye than any other kind of Falcon.

These kind of Hawkes are made to flée from the fist to the Heron, Crane, Goose, Bustard, and such other like fowles. When they are mewed, they doe very much resemble the La∣ner, they doe not change the marble seare of the foot. Theyr Tiercels, (whome wée call Ierkyns) are had in great prize, they are brought from Leuant, Cipres, Candy, and Alexan∣dria, by Marchants.

The Gerfalcons by report, do most commonly Eyrée in the parts of Prussia, and vpon the borders of Russia, and some of them come from the confines and mountaines of Norway. But most commonly they are taken about Almayne Passeby∣es (as wée tearme them) or passengers.

With the Gerfalcon, you may naturally flée all kinds of fowles, as I haue already written of the Haggart, and the Barbarie Falcon.

Let it not discourage or amaze you, that the Gerfalcon is so hard to be reclaymed and manned, for the fircenesse and har∣dines of their nature, is the onely cause thereof, but in the end being once wonne, they proue excellent good Hawkes.

They will sit very vpright and stately on the fist. Theyr beakes are blew, and so are the seares of their legs and feete, their pounces and talons are very long, and in troth they will lightly refuse to flée at nothing.

At my being in Muscouia, I saw sundry Gerfalcons verie fayre and huge Hawkes, and of all other kinds of Hawkes, that onely bird is there had in account and regard, and is of greater price then any other. The reason whereof I learned of certaine English Marchants my country men, who tolde me, that the Emperors Maiestie Iuan Vazaluich, did vse to flée the Rauen with a cast of Gerfalcons and tooke no slender plea∣sure and delight therein.

The Raven truely is a monstrous strong flight, by meane shee is of so great force and weight of wing, & withall doth vse to make so many turnes in the ayre, as you shall see no other foule do the like. Yet neuerthelesse as they told me, they had séene a cast of Gerfalcons beate her in such wise, as shée hath béene forced to take the stand, and to pearch in a Pins or Fir trée for her succour and safety. But that shift little preuayles, for no sooner is she pearched, but presently by commandement of the Emperour, each Muscouite drawing his hatchet from his backe, (without which toole they neuer trauell in that coū∣try) bestoweth his force to the felling of the trée, which is light∣ly done by meane of many hands, and the tendernesse of the timber, the hawkes all that while lying vpon their wings, loo∣king for their game: who finding the trée to fayle her, at the fal is driuen to trust her wings again, and so by a fresh flight and new encounter, doth yéeld excéeding pleasure to his Maiestie, and such as are in the field, and in fine, is slaine by her mightie aduersaries the Gerfalcons, who most gréedily doe seaze vpon her, as their kind hath taught them to do. I imagine the flight to be very strong, and truely the pastime and pleasure cannot be small, but a game fit for such a mighty Prince as his Maie∣stie is. Thus much of the Gerfalcon.

Of the Sacre.

THere be 3. kinds of Sacres, the first is called Sephe after the Babylonians and Assyrians, that kind of Sacre is

found in Egipt, and in the west parts, and in Babylon. Shée will stay the Hare, and such like.

The second kind is called Semy, she kils the Though, as her proper game, wherein she taketh the greatest pleasure.

The third is called Hyuair, or the Peleryn Sacre after the Egyptians and Assirians.

She is called a Peleryn or Haggart, for that her eyrée is not knowne, and because yearely shée maketh her passage towards Iudea, or Media, shée is taken in the Iles of Leuant, Cy∣pres, Candy, and Rhodes. And therefore some thinke, shée conuneth out of Russia, and Tartaria, and also from the great Sea. That Sacre that is taken an entermewer, is the best Hawke. The Sacre of all Hawkes the most laboursome, and best able to brooke her fleight. She is also peaceable and verie tractable, & a Hawke that can best away with course and grosse diet. The prey of the Sacre are great fowles, the Heron, the Goose, the Crane, Bytor, and withall the small beastes of the field and forrest.

It is well to bée séen, that the Sacre is a Hawk somewhat larger then the Haggart Falcon, of a rusty and ragged plume like the kite, the seare of her beake and foot like the Laner, her pounces but short, neuerthelesse, she is of great force, & hardie to all kind of fowle, as I haue already reported of the Hag∣gart and Barbarie Falcons, but not so ventrous and frée to flée the Crane, or such like game as the Haggart Falcon is.

This Sacre is a passenger, euen as the Haggart Falcon is. No man is able truly to say, when she eyréeth or discloseth, but at the Rhodes they say they come from the parts of Russia, & Tartaria, and the Ocean sea. These Sacres are takēin great number in the Iles of Leuant, Candy, Cipres, & Rhodes, & sondry other Ilands in the Ocean sea. But I must néeds con∣fesse to you, that the Sacre is more disposed to the field a great deale, then to the brooke As to flée the wild Goose, the Bittor, the Fesant, the Partridge, and all such like fowles. And is no∣thing so dainty of her dyet, or to be kept, as the long winged hawkes are.

The Sacre is much like the Falcon Gentle for largeness e∣and the Haggart for hardines, and is a passenger as the Hag∣gart is.

She is a Hawk chiefly to flée the kite, and yet may be made and manned to flée the field, and stay other game of the field as the Falcon doth.

The noble men that take pleasure in the Sacre, to make a flight with her at the kite, do vse this order & deuise, to bring the kite downe from her mountée, for that in the heate of the day, shée doth vse to soare and flée of an excéeding height in the cloudes, to take the comfort of the cold & fresh ayre, that is in the middle region: They tie a foxe taile to the leg of a mallard or Ducke, whome they cause to be born on the fist of some one Falconer, and do so, let the ducke flée in the middest of a plaine, whome as soone as the kite discries from her pitch, she present∣ly bateth of her gate, and maketh her stooping to the ground, and there gazeth and woundreth at the strangenesse, and the shape of this fowle: then do they cast off the Sacre to the kite, who forthwith trusting to the goodnes of her wing, getteth vp to her pitch, as hie as possible she may, by making often turns and wrenches in the ayre, where it is a very pleasant sport to behold the bickering that is betwixt them in the ayre, specially if it be in a plaine where no trées or groues are, to hinder the sight of the matter, and the day fayre, and not windie, for then will the Kite and Sacre soare so high, as they will flée clean out of sight: But that serueth not the Kites purpose and turne, for the Sacre neuerthelesse doth conqure her in the encounter, beating her to the ground by meane of the sondry stoopinges & downe-comes that shée maketh vpon her.

They flée with the Sacre at two sorts of Kites, that is, to the Kite royall, which is called by the Frenchman, the (Milan Royall) and at one other kind of Kite, called the blacke Kite, (the Milan Noyer) which is farre the more nimble bird of the two, and doth more busily trouble the hawke in her flight then the other doth, by meane she is the lesse of the two, & vseth her wings farre better. Of all hawkes this kind of hawk hath the

longest traine. We call the Tyercell of the Sacre, the Sacret, which is the male bird, & the Sacre the female, betwixt whom there is no oddes more then in the quantity and proportion: for commonly anong birdes of prey, the male is lesse then the female. The Sacre is called in Latine Bu••eo, and the Sacret Subuter.

Of the Laner.

[illustration] depiction of hawk

THe Laner is a Hawke common in all Countries, specially in France, and other places elsewhere, for voluntarylie shee maketh her Eyrie, and buildeth in high trées and For∣rests and commonly in Crowes nests or in the high rockes & cliffes neare the sea, according as the country is for the pur∣pose.

The Haggart is somewhat lesse then the Falcon gentle, faire plummed when she is an entermewer, but of shorter talons then any other kind of Falcon. And some hold opinion, that those Laners that haue the largest and best seasoned heads, & the seare of the foot azure or blewish, be the Eyesses or soare Hawkes, they are the best and choyest Laners.

With this Hawke may you flye the riuers, a well with the Laner as the Laneret, for they are both good, & likewise may you vse them to other kinds of flights, and specially to the field to kill the Partridge, the Fesant, the Hare, the Choffe, y^e Dawe, and all such sort of lesser fowle.

The Laner is not ouer dainty of her féeding, but can better brooke grosse and course victailes then any Falcon else can do.

Mewed Laners and Sacres, are hardly knowne from the soare Hawkes, because they do not change their plume. By these thrée signes you shall best knowe the Laner.

They are more blancke Hawkes then any other, they haue lesse beakes then the rest,* 1.3 and are lesse armed and pounced thē other Falcons be. [The Laners of all Hawkes are the fittest for young Falconers, because they will hardly take surfaits, & seldome be ouerflowne▪ or melt their grease.]

Of the Italian Author.

THe Laners doe commonly Eyre in the Alpes that diuide Italy from Almaine: some of them are reasonable hawks, some of a middle sute, and some lesse. Their heads are white, & flat aloft, blacke and large eyed, slender nares▪, short beake & thicke, and lesser then the Haggart Falcons, or the Falcon gentle▪

They are marble or russet mailde, the brest feathers white, full of russet spots, the points and extremities of their feathers full of round white droppes. Their sayles and traynlong, they are short legged, with a foot somewhat lesse then the Falcons, marble seered: but béeing mewed, they change the seere of the foot to a yellow.

These Hawkes will brooke to ffée long on their wings after their maner, and when they espie one that goeth abroad with a Sparowhawke to the field, they presently follow & couer the spaniels, so as no sooner is the sparowhawk cast off to the par∣tridge, but if shée misse or come short of her game, the Laner stoopeth with great nimblenesse of wing, and eyther killeth the fowle, or otherwise enforceth it to stoope and fall amid the flight to the ground.

You shall neuer lightly sée a Laner lie vpon the wings, af∣ter shée hath flien to marke, but after one stouping, she maketh a point, and then doth awaite for the fowle after the maner of a Goshawke: for if she misse at the first downe-come, of kill not in the foote, she is by nature so slothfull and dull, as shée will séeke the aduantage to her greatest ease: and therefore, dooth commonly vse vpon the questing, and call of the Spaniels, to attend very diligently, and so to prey at her pleasure.

They are highly estéemed in France, & (as they say) ther made to the riuer, and there doe they vse to flée with the a caste or leash of Laners to the brooke, and sometimes with the Laners and Lanerets together, and sometimes doe flée the field with the Laner: but in Italy they doe not vse this kinde of hawke at all. With vs in England this kind of Hawke is in price, but accounted very slothfull and hard mettled, so as vnlesse you kéepe a very hard hand vpon her, shée will doe little good, cleane contrary to the nature of a Falcon gentle, who for one good v∣sage will shew a treble curtesie, and the better she is rewarded the better will shée flée: but vse the Laner wel, and shée maketh slender account therof, but becommeth slothfull, and vnapt to flée eyther field, or riuer.

Of the Tunicion Falcon.

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THe Tunicion is a Falcon euen much of the nature of a la∣ner, yet somwhat lesse than the Laner, but very like her in plume and foote, alwaies more sluggish & heauie in her slight,

and yet more créese then the Laner, and shée hath a large round head.

The cause why shee is called a Tunycian.

THis Falcon is tearmed a Tunician, for that ordinarily & most vsually shée is found to eyre in Barbarie, euen as I haue reported to you, that the Laner doth in France and other∣where. And because Tunyce is the head and chiefe Cittie in all Barbarie, and the Prince and state there commorant and most abiding, holding the Court there, and do most chifely vse to flée with these kinde of Falcons of all others, they are most chiefly tearmed Tunycians.

The Tunycian may also be called a Punycian Falcon, for that which we reade of the warres Punicke, against the Car∣thaginenses, being maintayned against the inhabitants of that pace, where now is situated Tunyce.

The Tunycian is large, approaching néere the nature of a Laner, and very like in plume and male, and not vnlike for the seare of her foot, but somewhat lesse, and of a longer slight: her head is large and round.

They are excellent good for the riuer, and will lye well vpon their wings, and flye the field well, as I haue sayd before of the Laner. They doe naturally take pleasure to strike and seaze vpon the Hare, and all other kind of prey whatsoeuer.

This kind of Falcons is not so ordinarie or common in all parts and regions, as other hawkes are, saue onely in Barbarie and Tunyce.

Of the Merlyn.

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THere is a kind of Falcon that is called a Merlyn. These Merlyns are very much like the haggart falcon in plume, in seare of the foot, in beake and tallons. So as there sameth to be no ods or difference at all betwixt them, saue only in the big∣nesse, for she hath like demeanure, like plume, & very like con∣ditions to the Falcon, and in her kind is of like courage, & there∣fore must be kept as choicely, and as daintily as the Falcon.

Assuredly diuers of these Merlyns, become passing good

Hawkes and very skilfull, their property by nature is to kill Thruthes, Larkes, & Partridges. They flee with greater firce∣nes, & more hotely then any other hawke of prey. They are of greater pleasure, and full of courage, but a man must make greater care, and take good héed to them, for they are such busie & vnruely things with their beakes, as diuers times they eate off their own feet and talons very vnnaturally, so as they die of it. And this is the reason and true cause, that seldom or ne∣uer shall you see a mewed, or entermewed Merlin. For that in the mew they doe spoyle themselues, as I haue before declared.

My Italian Authour hath these words, both of the shape and in commendation of the Merlin.

The Merline is (saith he) of the shape of a Falcon, lesse than the Sparowhawke, more nimble and wight of wing than any other Hawke, she doth kill all such game and prey as the Spa∣rowhawk doth vse to slay, specially smal birds, namely Larks, Sparowes and such like, all which shée doth pursue with excée∣ding cruelty and courage.

She is reported to be a Hawke of the fist, and not of the lure, albeit a man may if he will, make her to the lure also. She is a very ventrous hawke and hardy, by this we may coniectture it: For though shée be little bigger then a pigeon, yet notwith∣standing, she will hazard her selfe to flée the Partridge, the Quail, and such other like fowles, more large then her selfe, & will pursue them in so cruell manner; as sundry times she fol∣loweth them, euen to the villages and townes whether the silly birdes doe flee for ayde and rescue, from their naturall foe the Hawke.

The Merlin is the only Hawke of all others, in whom as my authour affirmeth, there is no difference betwixt the male & fe∣male, but yet by experience we find it otherwise, for the female is y^e larger bird of the two, & more big then the other in sight.

Some are of opinion, that Lidos, Hieraz in Gréek & Levis Accipiter in Latine, is our Merlin of whom we speake, & that those birds of prey whome Aristotle termeth (Leves) to our iudgement should be the Merlins, because they are the lesse Hawkes of all others that are to be found.

Of the Hobbie.

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OF all birdes of prey that belong to the Falconers vse, I know none lesse then the Hobbie, vnles it be the Merlin. The Hobby is a Hawke of the lure, and not of the fist: also shée is of the number of those Hawkes that are hie flying & towre Hawks, as the Falcon, the Laner, and the Sacre be. If a man be disposed to describe the Hobby, he cannot do better, nor deale more artificially, then to match her for shape with the Sacre.

For in good faith there is but small difference or inequality be∣twixt them, saue that the Sacre is farre the huger birde.

The property of the Hobbye in all countries and regions where they are eyred, or otherwise brought, is to soar, and flée vpon the Huntsmen and Falconers, & so to follow them verie watchfully, to the end that whē they spring or put vp any smal birds, she may stoope from her wings, and seaze on them, as on her prey. And this is so ordinarie a Hawk, & the practice that I speake of so general, as there is not the simplest bowre or pea∣sant but doth know it. I can make no fitter nor more apt com∣parison, then to resemble the frye & small fish of the Sea, being had in chase by the huger sort of fish desirous to deuour them: to the small fowles and birdes of the ayre, pursued by the Hobby.

For as soone as the silly fish that is chased by the Dolphin & such like, do perceiue their safety to be nothing in the Element of water, where, by God and Nature they are allotted to liue, eftsoon haue they their recourse to the ayre to saue themselues, chosing rather to lye at the mercy of the rauening sea-fowles, soaring vpon the water, then to yeelde themselues in prey to their naturall aduersaries the fish: Euen so the Hobbies per∣ceyuing the Huntsmen or Falconers in the fielde to hunt the poore Leueret, or flée the Partridge, do forthwith accompanie them, soaring vpon them, in hope to encounter some one small bird or other, whome the hounds or spaniels shal by fortune put vp, & spring by ranging the field. Then the Larks, & such like small fowles, whose nature is not to braunch or take the trée, but altogether to liue vpon the groūd, finding thēselues pursu∣ed by the hounds & spaniels to beguile thē, are enforst to trust to their wings, & to take the ayre, & being there, finding thēselus molested by the Falconers & Hobbies, do make their choyce & election to become a prey rather to the dogs, or séeke mercy a∣mong the horse legs, & so to be surprised aliue, then to affie in the curtesie of the cruell Hobbies, and to be taken in their cru∣ell tallons, where they are most assured to die the death.

The Hobbie is so nimble & wight of wing, that shée dares encounter the Crow, and to giue souse for souse, and blow for

blow with him in the ayre.

This is a naturall and speciall tricke that shée doth vse, e∣spying the Falconers in the field, she doth follow them, and at∣tend on them, but it is but for a certaine space as though in ve∣rye deede shée had her limits and boundes precribed her, and appointed how farre he should flée. For as soone as shee lea∣ueth them, shée presently scoureth along the side of some groue or high wood, where doth ordinarily vse to pearch and take the stand.

The Hobby hath a blew beake, but the seare of her beak and legges is yellow. The crinet or little blacke feathers vnder her eyes be very blacke, so as most commonly they continue and procéed from the beake to the temples or eare burres, and in like manner is there an other blacke streak that descendeth to eyther side of her gorge. As touching the toppe of the head it is betwixt blacke and yellow, but hath two white seames vpon the necke. The plumes vnder the gorge, and about the browes are reddish without spotte or droppe. The plumes vn∣der the belly (or as I may best tearm them) the breast feathers are browne for the most part, and yet poudered with white spots as Ermines. All the backe, the trayne, and the wings are blacke aloft, she hath no great scales vpon her leggs, vnlesse it be a few that begin behind the thrée stretchers and pounchies, which are very large in respect of her short legges. Her brayle feathers are engouted twixt redde and blacke. The pendant feathers (which are those behind the thigh) are of a rusty and smokie vernish complection. When a man seeth her soare aloft in the ayre, he will iudge her vnder the wings, that her plu∣mage and downe, as well of her wings as betwixt her legs is russet and reddish mayled.

There are two fowles, whereof the one is called, (Ian le blancke) which I take to be the Harrohen or capped Kite, and y^e other (blanche queue) the ring tayle, who do alwaies flée with her for company, beating and sousing the Larks, and if happi∣ly they spie the Hobby encountring the Larke, whome they put and force to her wings, it is a pleasure to behold the game

that is betwixt this cast of bussards and the hawke. For their desire and intent is to bereaue the sillye hobby of her prey: but she being nimble and wight of wing, encountreth with them, entercepting the Larke from them, mauger their might, and sondry times they buckle so together, as you shal sée them come tūbling down both I fear, one fast griping & seazed on y^e other.

Some would haue that this Hobby of whom I write should bée that bird whome Aristotle calleth Hipotriorchis, and the Latines Subuteo: but I am not of that mind, but that it should rather be the Sacre, whome Aristotle doth meane. But let the learned reader Iudge the controuersie, I am to lay down their natures and properties, and not to decide any matter of con∣trouersie, which indéede doth belong to the curious Falconer, and not to him that doth embrace more the sport, then the di∣uersitie and oddes of spéech, which in euery Art a man shalbe assured to find. Let it suffice if I giue the Reader to vnder∣stand the nature of euery Hawke now a dayes in vse, and withall (according to my promise and meaning) doe let him know the meane to flie with them both the field and brooke, as also to giue him to witte, how to Mew, Ympe, and cure them being diseased. These are the speciall points, and such as de∣serue thankes from me, and commendation from him. I will procéede in the description of the nature of this Hawke, accor∣ding to the opinion of the Italian.

The Italians opinion of the Hobbie.

THe Hobbies are more large then the Merlyns, & for beak, eyes, plume & foot, they very much resemble the Falcon. They will lie vpon their wings reasonablie wel, following mē and Spaniels, fleeing vpon them many times, to the end that when any Partridge or Quaile is sprung, they may the better stoupe from their wings, and so seaze on the fowle, which sun∣dry times they doe.

These kind of Hawkes are vsed of such as go with nets, and spaniels: The order of which game is this.

The doggs they range the field to spring the fowle, and the

Hobbies they accustome to flée alost ouer them, soaring in the ayre, whome the silly birdes espying at that aduantage, & fea∣ring this conspiracy (as it were) betwixt the dogs and hawkes, for their vndoing and confusion, dare in no wise commit them∣selues to their wings, but do lie as close and flat on the ground as they possible may do, & so are taken in the nets,* 1.4 [which with vs in England is called Daring, a sport of all other most pro∣per to the Hobbie.]

Some Gentlemē haue made report & for truth assured me, that the Emperour Ferdinando of famous memorie, did giue his Falconers in charge to kéepe & reclaime sundry Hobbies. And his Maiestie diuers times for recreation, would take his Horse, and into the fields with a Hobbie on his fist, holding in his right hand a long slender pole, or réed seuen foot in length, on the toppe whereof there was conueighed by sleight a strong line with a sliding knotte: And when happily his Maiestie had espied a larke on the ground, he would forthwith holde vp, and aduance his Hobbie, to the view of the silly birde, whome as soone as the Larke saw, he would in no wise dare to spring, but lie as still as a stone flat vpon the earth, so fearful they are of the Hobbie, in cheif of all other Hawks: then would the Em∣perour at his good leasure, and great pleasure, with his longe pole and the sliding line, take the sillye fowle and draw her vp vnto him, and truely tooke no small delight in this kinde of pa∣stime, and would cause his Falconers to doe likewise, who by this deuise tooke many birdes, and in this sorte woulde they Hawke frō the beginning of September to the end of October.

This practise did somewhat resemble, and draw to the na∣ture of our deuise, in daring of larkes, which we vse at these dayes, but (in my Iudgement) nothing so ready and fit as our pastime and ginne which we haue, which is a very good sporte and full of delight, to sée the fearefull nature of the silly Larke, with the great awe and subiection that the Hobbie hath her in, by the law of kind: for assuredly there is no other Hawke, no not the hugest, whome the Larke doth so much feare, as the Hobbie, which may manifestly appeare by this that I haue written, as also by dayly experience and practise in that behalf.

Of the Goshawke, after the opinion of William Tardiffe a Frenchman.

[illustration] depiction of hawk

A Generall division of Goshawkes, whome the French men call Autour.

THere are (saith he) fiue kinds of Authors or Goshawkes' speaking of the Goshawke in the largest name & nature, comprised in that word Autour.

The first and most noble kinde, is the female Goshawke, which is with vs most ordinarily in vse.

The second is named a demy Author, or Goshawke, as it were a kind betwixt two other sorts, and that is a spare slender hawke, and of little regarding respect of any good she will doe.

The third is the Tyercell which is the male, or cocke to the Goshawke, who doth flay the Partridge, & is not of sufficient force to kill the Crane. He is termed a Tyercelet, for that there are most commonly disclosed three birds in one selfe eyrée, two Hawkes, and one Tiercell.

The fourth kinde of Autour is the Sparrowhawke, whose nature is to kill all kind of prey that the Goshawke doth, saue onely the larger sort of fowles.

The fift kind is called (Sabech) whome the Egiptians term (Baydach) which doth very much resemble the Sparrowhauk, but is lesse then the Sparowhawke, and hath a very blew eye.

There are sundry sorts of Goshawkes, and those brought and conueyed out of sundry forraine parts and regions, but a∣mong them all, that Goshawke that is bred & eyred in Arme∣nia & Persia, is the principall best hawke, & then next to her in goodnesse, the hawke of Gréece, and lastly that of Affricke.

The Hawke of Armenia hath her eyes gréen, but the best of y^e kind is she that hath black eyes & black plumes on her backe.

The hawke of Persia is large, well plumed, cleare and déepe eyed, with hanging and pendand eye-lids and browes.

The hawke of Gréece hath a great head, well seasoned, a strong necke, and is reasonable well plumed.

The Goshawke of Affricke hath blacke eyes in her soarage, but being a mewed hawke, her eyes become reddish and fiery.

At what times Hawkes begin to fall to liking, which is at Eawking time, all birds of prey do assemble themselues with the Goshawke, and do flocke together. As namely the Falcon, the Sacre, and such other that liue on prey, and rauine.

And hereof it procéedeth that the Goshawkes become so di∣uers in goodnesse, force, and hardinesse, according to the diuer∣sity of their choyce and cawking.

The best Goshawke ought to be waighty, and a heauie bird, as those of great Armenia be.

In Syria they make choice of their hawkes, by the Massines & poyse of them, and do estéem the most weighty hawke for the best: as for the male & conditions they doe litle regard or prize.

The blancke Goshawke is the largest, the fayrest & most apt, and easie to bee reclaymed, and withall the strongest of all Hawkes of that sort, for shée can kill the Crane. And by reason she is eyréed in a very hie and lofty place, & can best endure the cold, which is most rife in the middle region of the ayre, there∣fore is shée good to flée all fowles of that sort and condition.

The Goshawke that doth encline and tend to a black mayle, and that hath superfluous plumes on her head, reaching down her front or forehead, like a peruque or borrowed hayre, that is a very fayre Hawke for beauty, but nothing strong.

[But truely there is no Goshawke more excellent then that which is bread in Ireland in the north parts,* 1.5 as in Vlster, and in the Country of Tyrone.]

The good proportion and shape of a Goshawke.

SHée ought to haue a small head, her face long & straight like the Vulture or Eagle, a large wind pipe or throat, great eies déepe set, and the apple or middle part of the eye blacke, nares, eares, backe and féet, large and blancke, a blancke long beake, long necke, big breast, hard flesh, long thighes, fleshie, & distant one from the other, the bone of the legge and knée short, long and large pounces, and talons.

The shape from the sterne or traine to the breast forward, ought to grow to a roundnesse. The feathers of the thighes to∣wards the traine should be large, and the traine feathers short, soft and somewhat tending to an yron mayle.

The brayle feathers ought to be like the breast feathers, and the couert feathers of the traine should be spotted, and full off blacke rondels, but the colour of the very extremity and point

of euery traine feather, ought to be blacke streaked. Of mayle, and colour, the best is the red, somewhat tending to blacke or plaine grieseld.

The signes of a good Goshawke, are hauty courage, de∣sire and gréedy lust to féede, often tyring and plucking of her meat, sodaine snatching of her food vpon the fist, good enduiug, and great force in assayling her game.

The signe of boldnesse in a Goshawke is this, tie her in an open light place, and after a while darken and obscure it, by shutting some window, or such like deuise, then touch her vp∣on the sodaine at vnawares, if she then iumpe, and leape to the fist without feare or astonishment, that is an ass••red signe of hardinesse in a Goshawke.

The token of force in a Goshawke, is this, tie diuers Gos∣hawkes in sundry places of one self chamber or mew, and that Hawke that doth flise and mewt hiest and farthest of from her, vndoubtedly is the strongest Hawke, for that one point decla∣reth and argueth a good strong backe in the hawke.

A Token of goodnesse and excellency in those demie Gos∣hawkes, whom my Author doth tearme (Petite Autours) is to haue large and cleare eyes, a small head, long neck, low, and close plume or downe, hard flesh, a gréene séere of her foote, large stretchers, and not goutie or fleshie, quicke enduing, large panell, and able to slise farre from her when she mewteth. The point of the beake to be blacke, is a very good signe.

The ill shape of Goshawkes.

ALbeit there bee a generall rule, that (contraria contrari∣es dinos••unter) which is that one contrarie is knowne suf∣ficiently by the other, & therfore hauing made you full shew of the good shape of Goshawkes, the ill proportion wil easily ther∣by fall out, & be discerned of it self without any further trauell, yet neuerthelesse following mine Author, I think it not amisse to dicypher you the ill forme of a Goshawke: which is to haue

a great head, a short necke, to be thick and grosse plumed, soft fleshed, short thighed, long armed, short tallons, tawnie hew∣ed, tending to blacke, and hard and rough vnder the foote.

A Goshawke that when she is loose in the house, flees as though she were at large and liberty, breaking out of a mew, hauing great grosse feathers, eyes as red as blood, that is e∣uermore baiting, and being set on the pearch, offereth to flée at the face of a man, such a Hawke if shée be kept low in flesh cannot be borne on the fist; if shée bée hie and full of flesh, shée will not then abide with her kéeper, but rangle & gad: where∣fore of such Hawkes, there is no account to be made at all.

A fearefull Goshawke is hardly to be reclaimed and man∣ned, for the feare shee hath, will alwaies cause her to refuse the fist and lure, and make her checke, and not willingly re∣payre to any deuise wherewith shée is called and rappeld, af∣ter her flight, which is a very great inconuenience in a Gos∣hawke, and no small hinderance to the sport of him that shall happen to haue such a fearefull Hawke: for commonly vn∣lesse they be first fond of the kéeper, and in loue with the call, they will not flée their game to the liking of their owner; and the tediousnes in comming by them againe after the flight, doth bréed forgetfulnesse of the pastime, how good and delecta∣ble soeuer it were before.

That Goshawke that hath pendant plumes ouer her eyes, and (as they say in the Country) whose feathers hang in her light, the white of whose eye is very watrish and blanck, that is red maild, or bright tawnie, hath the most assured token that may be of ill conditions, and is not like to bée well com∣ming. But if happely such a Hawke fall once to bée good, shée will then proue a passing Hawke.

Sometimes (though very seldome) do wée sée a Goshawke of bad shake, and in condition cleane contrary to those signes that ought to bée lookt for in a good Goshawke, proue light, lusty, able to hold out and mainetaine her flight, and such a one as will very well slay the greater sort of fowles.

The Goshawkes prey is the Fresant, the Mallard, the wild

Goose, the Hare, and Conie,: besides all which, she will strike ventrously, and seaze on a Kidde or Goat, and keepe him play so long, as the dogs at length shall come in to assist her and further the fall of it, which doth manifestly decipher the great inestimable courage and valour of the Hawke.

Out of the French I haue collected this concer∣ning the Goshawke.

Some men haue thought, and béene of this resolute mind, that the (Author) or Goshawke hath béene of the kinde of a Vulture, for the affinity and nearenesse of their tearmes and names: for (Autour) in the French, is that Hawke whome we call the Goshawke, and (Vautour) is the Vulture, which 2. tearmes as you sée, draw very neare to one speech.

Some other haue béen of opinion, that betwixt the Goshawk and Sparowhawke, is no ods or difference in nature, saue on∣ly in respect of the hugenesse of that one, and the slendernesse of the other: but my purpose is to treat of the Goshawke seue∣rally from the Sparowhawke, and so to procéede to the Spar∣rowhawke, of whome I will write according to the French & Italian Authors, in a seuerall Chapter by it selfe, to avoide the confusion, which otherwise might happen in that behalfe.

The Goshawke is euer more regarded than her Teircell, for the males or cockes among Hawkes and birds of prey, doe make euident proofe, and shew to the eye, of their difference frō the females and Hawkes.

Againe we may with ease discerne the Goshawke from her Tyercell, for that shée is farre larger, then the Tyercell of her kind.

The Falconers & Ostregers, haue to these two sorts, added a third kind (as I sayd before) whome they teranie the Demy∣goshawke, as a bird indifferent, betwixt the other twoo.

Both kinds of them are more hie, and longer armed, then eyther the Falcon, or Gerfalcon: they are Hawkes of the fist, and (as we call them) round winged Hawkes, quite contrarie

to those I wrote of before, all which are Hawkes of the lure, and long winged Hawkes, otherwise called Towre hawkes.

The Hawke (I meane the female) is very much like the Eagle in mayle, and if we may make bold to compare y^e lesse with the larger, she hath a more stately high necke then the Eagle, & of a more red or yron mayle, the ground of her plume and downe tending to a red colour.

Those Goshawkes that are of Slauonia, are good at all ma∣ner of game, large, hardy, & faire plumed, their tongs blacke, and their nares great and wide.

There are Goshawkes, whome the Italians call Alpisani, or hawkes of the Alpes, which are much vsed in Lombardie, & Tuscane, they are more thick thē they are long, fierce, & hardy.

But those Goshawks that our Ostregers haue now adayes, are cheifly conueied out of Almaine, hauing their eyes & the seare of the beake, as also of their féet and legs yellow, contra∣rie to the Gerfalcon, whose seare is blew and azure.

Their traines are garnished with large droppes or spottes crossing the feather, party blacke, and party grey, as also the plumes of the necke and head are more towards a russet, and powdred with blacke, but those of the thigh, and vnder the belly or pannell, are otherwise marked, for they are not full so yellow, hauing round drops on them, not much vnlike those that are on the Peacockes trayne.

The Goshawkes of Almayne are not very fayre, though they be large Hawkes, red mayled, and yet not hardy.

There are sundry of them good in their soarage, but being once mewed, proue nothing worth: there be diuers of them ta∣ken in the forrest of Arde, and in sundrie places of Almayne. The Gréekes haue called the Goshawke Hierax, the Latines Accipiter stellaris, and the Italians Astuy.

Thus much haue I collected out of another French author, as necessarily belonging to the description of the nature of a Goshawk, because you shall see the seuerall opinions of sundry writers, and gather to your owne vse, what shall occurre and thwart best with your liking, for it is not the mayle and plume

of the Hawke that I so greatly regard, or doe meane to stand vpon, as the making, reclaiming, diseases, and cures of the said Hawkes, each one after their proper nature and quality, if so my health will giue me leaue to runue mine authors through aduisedly, according to my meaning and resolution, at what time I first vndertooke this collection.

Out of the Italian concerning the Goshawkes, and their kinds.

THere are sundry sorts of Goshawkes, according to the di∣uersity of places and regions. There be hawkes of Arme∣nia, Sclauonia, Sardinia, Calament, of the Aples which they vse in Lombardy, Tuscan, Marca and Puglia, some other of Rus∣sia, Fr••uli, Almania, and othersome of Lombardie, all which I will briefly touch vnto you, and not long dwell in the matter, hauing out of my French Authors already decyphered the na∣tures of the most part of them.

First of all there are Goshawkes, calledt Armenia hawkes, much differing from the Goshawke, in sort as almost, they haue no resemblance at all to the other kinds of Goshawkes. They are very faire and huge, the mayle of them is blanke, as sundry Haggart Falcons be, they flée with great courage and life, all greater sort of fowles.

There are others eyried in Slavonia and Dalmacia, and thence are they tearmed Slauon Goshawkes, which indéed are good for any thing a man will employ them vnto. Very faire and hardy hawkes, large footed, very well penned, their downe and plumage excellent fine, their tongues blacke, and their nares large and wide

Those of Sardinia are nothing like the other hawkes, they are browne and russet plumed, small hawkes, hard and not small footed, and nothing ventrous.

Those of Calament are short trussed hawkes, and large, blanke seared on the foot, those flée the greater fowles excéeding

well.

The Goshawkes of the Alpes, and of Calabria, are in a ma∣ner more large then they are long, very prowde, and hardy Hawkes.

The Goshawkes of Lombardy are not very large, browne maylde, and cowardly kytes to do any good.

The Goshawke of Russia and Sarmatia, is a large and huge Hawke, the most part of them are blanke Hawkes, and taken vp of great Princes and Nobles states, they are apt and able to doe any thing that may be looked for from Hawkes of that kind. My selfe haue séene great store of them in the Citie of Mosqua, which is the chiefe Dukedome of all Russia. The Moscovites and Tartarians do vse to flée with those Goshawks at the brooke, and there do beat vp the fowle with the drumme, without which you shall seldome sée a Boyaron (as they tearme them) which is a Gentleman, ryde at any time. And one speciall thing which I noted among them was, that as well Moscovites as Tartaros, do vse to beare their Hawkes on the right fist, which is cleane contrary to our manner and guise héere in England, or in any other Region that I haue heard or séene, saue onely in those North parts, no reason I can yéeld for it, but that each country for the most part hath his fashion.

Those of Friulie are good Hawkes and large, but not so faire as the Slavon Hawkes.

Note this, that a good Goshawke ought to be little, and broad shouldred, large breasted, very round and fleshly, hauing a long thigh, a short legge or arme, and the same great, and a large foote, and not gowty, but slender. Contrariwise, the Tiercell should be large, for it is a common saying,

A little Hawke, and a large Tiercell, is euer best.

All Goshawks are by nature gréedy, and catching, of whome some doe vse to flée the riuer, and fresh brookes, and some the Sea, and othersome againe the field, and neuer or very seldome the riuer or brooke.

The first sort for the most part doe prey vpon Duckes, Géese, Hearons, Shouelers, and such like fowle as do vsually haunt, and liue in the Sea and Riuers. And those diuers times doe seaze and take their prey vppon the sodayne at vn∣wares, by fléeing low neare the ground, and stealing vpon the fowle.

The other, after a while that they haue vsed to flée the field, do prey on Pigeons, Pullets, Hennes, and Partridges. And being once mewed Hawkes, and past their soarage, they will take the stand vpon some trée, and finding eyther Partridge, Fezant, Pullet, Henne, or such other like fowle, they make their stooping so fiercely, and in such great hast, and doe flée them so farre before head and at randon, mayntaining, and making good their flight, as in the end they kill them, and doe prey vpon them.

Of the Goshawkes, those that be ventrous and hardy will kill the Hare, and hauing kilde him, diuerse times they swallow in for hast great bones, and doe put them ouer very well, and endure them safely without any hurte of all.

Those that are the riuer Goshawkes, and doe haunt the water, and brookes, are commonly the most hardy and ven∣trous Hawkes of all that kind, and doe at the Riuer of their owne inclination and nature, fall to kill the great Fowles of the Riuer, of which I haue before made recitall and men∣tion.

Truely the Goshawke is very much to be regarded for her hardy mettle and courage, for that therein shée is not inferiour to any kind of Hawke, but rather more fierce and eager. And againe to bee kept with greater care, for that shée is more choyce and daynty, and dooth looke to haue a more nice hand kept on her, then any other kind of Fal∣con or Hawke, vnlesse it be the Sparrowhawke, which is all

one in a manner in nature with the Goshawke, and of whome I purpose now to write.

Of the Sparowhake, out of the French Authors.

[illustration] depiction of hawk

I Will now write somewhat of the Sparowhawke, for that shée is in her kind, and for that game that her strength will giue her leaue to kill, a very good hawke, and much vsed in Fraunce. And besides, he that knowes wel how to manne, re∣clayme, and flée with the sparowhawke, may easily knowe how to kéepe, and deale with all other Hawkes. Moreouer, it is a Hawke that serues both winter and summer, with great pleasure, and the game that shée fléeth is ordinarie, and common to be had, and shée will generally flée at all kinde of game more then the Falcon, or then any other kinde of hawke will. And the winter Sparowhawke, if she proue good, will kill the Pye, the Iaw, the Chough, the Woodcock, the Thrush, the black-birde, the Felfare, and sundry other sortes of birdes.

The Diuersity of Sparowhawkes according to their times and age.

THe Eyasse Hawke, is shée that is taken in the Eyrie.

2 The brancher, is shée that followeth the olde Hawke from branch to branch, and trée to trée, which is also tearmed a ramage Hawke,

3 The Soare Hawke, is shée that hath flyen, and preyed for her selfe, and is taken before shée mew.

4 The fourth kind, is that Hawke that is mewed, and hath cast her soare feathers.

The good shape and proportion of a Sparowhawke.

SParowhawkes are of diuers plumes, some are small plu∣med, & blanke hawkes, othersom of a larger feather, which are not so good in our opinion as for their shape. The Hawke that is well shapt is large and short, with a slender heade, large, and broade shouldred, bigge armed, large

and wide footed, and blacke maylde, with a good great beake, her eyes somewhat hollow and déepe set, blanke eye-lids, the seare of her beake twixt gréene and white, a high bigg necke, long wings, reaching quite athwart the body of the Hawke, so as the point of the wing méet with the toppe of the trayne very neare, and that her traine be not ouer long, but of a reaso∣nable broad feather, sharpe pounces, small and blacke, and euermore well disposed to féede hungerly, and with great ap∣petite.

The Nyasse Hawke is good, and will come to the fiste very well, and not lightly soare away, or be lost.

The Soare hawke is hard to bee manned, but will proue good, if shée will once brooke company: this Hawke, for that shée hath preyed for her selfe, is very ventrous and hardy.

The best Sparowhawke, is that Hawke whome wée call the brauncher.

What kinds of Sparowhawkes there are.

THere are Sparowhawkes, whome the Italians call (di∣voutemiglia) which are large and long Hawkes, with a great beake, large foot, and with 13. feathers in the traine. Those Hawkes are excellent to flée any kind of game.

There are other called Slauon Hawks, good for all purposes and full of hardines, long and large Hawkes, hauing a great long beake, and blacke breast feathers

There are others of Calabria not verye large, but of great courage plumed like the Quaile, that will doe according as they are taught and manned.

There be Sparowhawkes eyréed in Corsica, & brought from Sardinea, small Hawkes, browne or canuas mayld, that will flée very well.

Those of Almanya are very slender, and nothing good.

The Hawkes of Verona, and Vicentia, are of meane size, and many of them doe proue to be good Hawkes.

There be Sparowhawkes called Alpisans, of the Alpes, that are large, wight of wing, and ventrous to flee any kinde of fowle.

There are others eyréed in the vale of Sabbia, of a reasonable size, russet mayld, entermedled with golden spots, or droppes, like the Turtle, those be very good to flée great fowles.

There is one other kind of Sparowhawks, eyréed in Berga∣masca, in a vallie called the Blacke vale, neare the confines of Voltolina, slender Hawkes, browne mayld, good to bée manned and reclaymed, and those are the principallest of all other Spa∣rowhawkes.

I do not here in this place deale exactly of the mayles, and plumes of these kinds of hawkes, in part, for that the hawkes are of sundry and seuerall plumes, according to the diuersity of countries and regions where they are eyréed: and part, for that the hawks themselues are so ordinarily in vse, as it were to be estéemed but a supersluous labour, to waste much time therein, in penning of that, which is (in the opinion of men) of no great importance. My chiefe care and industrye (if health allow me leaue, and sicknesse too much offend not my ease) shall consist in the reclaymed and manning of all these kindes of Hawkes, according to their natures and properties, and in displaying the meanes to flée with them, and to kéepe them, both for the field and brooke. And after that, in declaration of their diseases, ordinarily incident vnto their kindes, and the best remedies for the same, which (I doubt not) are the onely and chiefest points that the discréete and learned reader will accept from mée, and such as will most stand him in steade that doth meane to deale with hawkes. Wherefore I thus make y^e Epilogue and conclusion of the first part of my trea∣tise and collection, wherein are contayned all the kinds, names and the causes of those names, of all such hawkes and birds of prey as are most in vse, and regarded among noble men and gentlemen at these dayes, crauing the Reader to bestow no lesse good liking vpon the translation and collection hereof (if it in any part deserue it) then I haue employed trauell and

paines in the true search and examination of the same, both out of the French and Italian Authors, where I must con∣fesse, I haue not translated Ʋerbatim, and by word or line what I found, (for then had I not dealt so exactly as I now haue done, for that I found sondry thinges not so well agrée∣ing to our humors and vse:) but haue taken my pleasure of them, in making choyce of the chiefest matter, which did oc∣curre in them, hoping the more my paynes haue béene, the lesse shall be mine offence, and the greater the liking of the Reader, and the better his acceptance: which if I finde, both I for my trauell, shall thinke my selfe sufficyently guerdoned, and the carefull Printer déeme both his cost and charge well employed, being meant, to the benefite and pleasure of his natiue Countrymen, whose auayle he chiefely respecteth her∣in, and not any great aduantage that shall priuately fall out to him.

Of the Matagasse.

THough the Matagasse bée a Hawke of no account, or price, neyther with vs in any vse, yet neuerthelesse, for that in my diuision I made recitall of her name, according to the French Author, from whence I collected sundrye of those points and documents, appertaining to Falconrie: I thinke it not beside my purpose, briefly to describe héere vnto you, though I must néedes confesse, that where y^e Hawke is of so slender value, the definition, or rather description of her na∣ture and name, must be thought of no great regard.

The shape of her is this.

She is beaked and headed like the Falcon, her plume is of two colours, her breast white, her eye, beake, and féete blacke, a long blacke traine, her flags and long feathers partly blacke, and white, and the colour of those feathers shee changeth not, though she mew neuer so oft.

Her feeding is vpon Rattes, Squirrells, and Lisardes, and sometime vpon certaine birdes shee doth vse to prey, whome she doth intrappe and deceiue by flight, for this is her deuise:

She will stand at pearch vpon some trée or post, and there make an exceeding lamentable crye, and exclamation, such as birdes are wonte to doe, being wronged, or in hazard of mis∣chiefe, and all to make other fowles beleiue & thinke that she is very much distressed, and stands néedefull of ayde, wherevpon the credulous sellie birdes do flocke together presently at her call and voice, at what time if any happen to approach neare her, shée out of hand seazeth on them, and deuoureth them, (vngratefull subtill fowle) in requitall of their simplicity and paines.

These hawkes are in no accompt with vs, but poore simple fellowes and peasants sometimes do make them to the fiste, and being reclaimed after their vnskilfull manner, doe beare them hooded, as Falconers doe their other kindes of Hawkes whome they make to greater purposes.

Here I end of this hawke, because I neither accompt her worthe the name of a hawke, in whome there resteth no va∣lour or hardines, ne yet deseruing to haue any more written of her property and nature, more than that shée was in mine Author specified, as a member of my diuision, and there re∣puted in the number of long winged hawkes. For truely it is not the property of any other Hawke, by such deuise and co∣wardly wile to come by her prey, but they loue to winne it be mayne force of winges at random, as the round winged hawkes doe, or by frée stooping as the hawkes of the Tower doe most commonly vse, as the Falcon, Gerfalcon, Sacre, Merlin, and such like which doe lie vpon their wing, roding in the ayre, and ruffe the fowle, or kill it at the encounter.

I cannot say, that at any time I haue seene this kinde of Hawke, neyther in any booke read of her nature and disposi∣tifn, as I haue here made mention of it, saue onely in my au∣thor, who writing of Falconrie, was so bold as to ranke her

among other Hawkes of greater account and value, and in Gesner, where he treateth of all kinds of birdes and fowles, where I remember well I haue read of the name and nature of the Matagasse, and there haue seen her proportion and shape set down in colours, such as I haue before declared you in this Chapter, and in my Iudgement, no oddes or diffe∣rence to bée found betwixt Gesuerus, de∣scription, and mine Authors, in that behalfe.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Addition.
• * 1.2

  Addition.
• * 1.3

  Addition.
• * 1.4

  Addition.
• * 1.5

  Addition.