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IT hapneth oftentimes that a Hawke (although shee bée na∣turally high fléeing) will yet belong before she be made vp∣wards, but will fish and play the slugge: for when she shoulde get vp to couer the fowle, shee will stoope before the fowle bee put out, the which may procéede through two causes. First, it may bee that shée is too sharpe sette, and the second cause
may be that shee is flowen withall out of time, eyther too soone or too late. So that when you see a Falcon vse those euill tat∣ches without apparant cause, you shall do well to cast her out a dead fowl or a dead pullet for a dead quarrey (as Falconers tearme it,) and to hoode her vp without any reward, to the end she may take no encouragement to vse those vile trickes: for there is no greater spoyle to an high fléeing Hawke, than when shée killeth a fowle from a base and low pitch, and so much the greater is the losse of her, by how much the more shee doth vse those vile buzardly parts. Therefore by my best experience I prayse that order, to throw her out a dead quar∣rey and hood her vp: then afterwards within halfe an howre, call her to the lure and féede her, and doe this as often as shee vseth to fish or to play the base flugge on that fashion, and to find whether it procéed of beeing too sharpe set, or of fléeing out of time, the Falconer shall doe well with all diligence to note the naturall disposition of his Hawkes: as which will flée beeing hie and in good plight, and which best, when she is kept low, which will flee best when shee is set most sharpe and eager, and which contrary, and which in a meane be∣tweene both, which earely at Sunne rising, and which when the Sunne is two howres high or more, which sooner, and which later in an euening. For the natures of Falcons are very diuers and sondrie, in such sort as to flee with a hawke at her best howre and time, and to flee with her out of that time, is a thing which will shew as great difference, as be∣tween an excellent good Hawke, and a Kite. Therefore let the Falconer haue especiall regard thereunto, setting his Hawkes to flee according to their natures and dispositions, and keeping them alwayes in good order. And heere it is to be noted, that al hawkes, aswell soarhawks, as mewed hawkes and haggartes, should be fet out in the euening two or three houres, some more and some lesse, hauing conuenient regard to their nature, as it is stronger or weaker: and in the morning also, accordingly as they cast, hooding them first, & then setting
them abroad a weathering, vntill you get vp on Horsebacke to goe to field, and so your hawkes will alwayes be wel wea∣thered and in good order. These be the best meanes and obser∣uations which I can set downe for Riuer Hawkes, which if it succeede well to you, then shall you stand assured of your sport, and I of my desire.