The gentlemans recreation in two parts : the first being an encyclopedy of the arts and sciences ... the second part treats of horsmanship, hawking, hunting, fowling, fishing, and agriculture : with a short treatise of cock-fighting ... : all which are collected from the most authentick authors, and the many gross errors therein corrected, with great enlargements ... : and for the better explanation thereof, great variety of useful sculptures, as nets, traps, engines, &c. are added for the taking of beasts, fowl and fish : not hitherto published by any : the whole illustrated with about an hundred ornamental and useful sculptures engraven in copper, relating to the several subjects.

CHAP. XI.

The SPARROW-HAWK.

THis Hawk is much of the nature and re∣semblance of the Goshawk, but not of the bigness, and she requires the same feeding, and maketh the same flights. It is a Hawk common in these European Parts, and those are best e∣steemed that are bred in cold, barren, and high places, where there is little or no Game, for there∣by they are taught to be more laborious and in∣dustrious. The only reason I suppose why they are of so little esteem, is their commonness and cheapness, for they are of great use and pleasure; and he that hath once experienced a well Reclaim∣ed Sparrow-Hawk will hardly be without one.

Their Game is young Pratridges, but their excellency is for Magpies, Black-Birds and the like small Birds.

There are several Sorts of Sparrow-Hawks, and of different Plumes, just as there are of Goshawks, which is occasioned through the diversity of Regi∣ons, and Countries where they Breed, the larger are in most esteem, and want nothing but strength to match their Courage.

The Marks of a good and Beautiful Sparrow-Hawk are these, the Head little, the Beak thick, the Legs short and Fattish, the Pounces sharp and long, and of a sad Maile, the Eyes full, the Circle about the Ball of the Eyes of a colour betwixt white and green, and the Neck Long and Thick.

I would advise all young Beginners in Falconry, to begin their practice on this Hawk, for thereby they may learn to manage others, especially the Goshawk.

The Sparrow-Hawk should not be Fled in the Morning, unless she be prepared over Night with a short and clean Supper, and you should always have in a Box about you Fresh Butter, mixt with a little Saffron and Sugar-Candy to give her now and then with her Meat, which she will eat with great delight; and this will keep her Head always loose, and in good Temper; and it will also prevent the Cray, and keep her proud and full of Spi∣rit.

They Mew every year in April, May, and June.

SParrow-Hawks that are newly taken and will not Feed, rub their Feet with warm Flesh, or with a live Bird, and put it to her Beak, and if she Seize it, 'tis a sign she will Feed, and then tear off the Skin and Feathers, and put it to her Beak.

It is best to enter the Sparrow-Hawk in some Champain Country, far from Woods; and let her be unhooded when the Spaniels are uncoupled; then if the Patridge Spring near you, and she Bate, let her go, and if she kill, Reward her on the Ground with the Head, Brains, Neck, and Breast

[illustration]

Maning Hawks.

To the Honorable S^r Richard Menman of Caswell in Oxfordshire Bar^t. Created (by Letters Patents to comence, after the death of•• R^t. Hon^ble. (Phillip now L^d. Vis^• Menman) Baron Menman of Kilmainham in y^e County of Dublin▪ in y^e Kingdome of Ireland▪ as also Vis^t Menman of Tuam. in y^e County of Gallway, in the said Kingdome. ••

This Plate is humbly dedicated by Richard Blome.

F Barb••r de••in: A. Soly 〈◊〉〈◊〉

of the Partridge; then when she hath ••ed take it away, and get on Horse-Back a pretty distance from her, whistle and call her; and if she come, Reward her well. And above all things have a great care that she fail not at her first Flight, which should be at larg Partridges called Stabtayls; lest always after she should turn Tail, when she Files at strong ones.

There are several names or distinctions of Par∣tridges; the first, when newly hatched are called [ 10] White-heads, the second Names are Chiek-tayls, the third Stubtayls, the fourth Ru••ntay••s, and then they are full summed and hard set.

When you enter your Sparrow-Hawk, hold your hand alost; that she may the better watch both the Spaniels and Prey: you must give her some small Reward after every Flight, especially if she kill; and if at first entring she miss, be sure to have some young Partridge or Bird in your Bag, for her to kill; after she is well entred and [ 20] nousled, then hold down your Fist, whereas formerly you held it up. You should likewise be sure to let your Spaniels Range near together, and on your Right Hand, that she may the bet∣ter discern her Game, and Flee to the most ad∣vantage; for which purpose you should be as near the Dogs as possible, and carry your Hand low, that she may not bear at the Game before they Spring. He that is not quick of sight, and nim∣ble of Hand with his Sparrow Hawk, shall soon [ 30] Spoil her, but with Care and due Attendance, there are few Hawks of more pleasure, for you may Flee her at such times of the Year, as you can't the Goshawk: Her keeping ought to be deli∣cate, and in regard she is so small and weak, be sure to keep her High and Lusty; yet with due Regard to the preparation of her Stomack, be∣fore you take the Field with her. She will kill according to the several Seasons, Diversity of Game. She generally delights to Flee close to the Ground, [ 40] and will stoutly attack the Lap-Wing, Ring-Dove, Jay, Mag-Pye, Black-Bird, and the like Game, and she may be made to hold out all the Sum∣met.

You should Flee her from the Hood, and not to let her spend her little strength, and disorder her self by unruly Bateing, which happens by be∣ing carried Bare.

If you Flee her in the Morning, prepare her accordingly in her preceeding Supper, with wea∣thering [ 50] in the Morning, that she may come sharp set.

To take Sparrow-Hawks.

IN regard of the use and and pleasure, together with the commonness of the Sparrow-Hawk, I hold it not amiss to give these Directions for the taking them. You should choose out some level [ 60] piece of Ground, with a good Covert or Thicket near it, where you may be concealed, there fix about half a Dozen Sticks, about the bigness of a Mans Arm, and about six Foot long, on each side three, to these Sticks must be fastned certain Nets, made of very Fine Green Thread, and to them a Cord, which may reach to the Man that lieth concealed in some Bush•• on the plain must be set several small Birds, especially Cha∣finches, which sort of Bird: the Sparrow-Hawks much delight to Feed upon, and she will not fail to Flee with great Eagerness into the Net, think∣ing to Seize the Bird, and doth become ensna∣red. In Winter they are often found Pearching on some Tree in Hedg-rows near High-Ways.