The art and practice of hawking - Modern Prepper

THE BIRDS USED IN HAWKING 17
moult the brown of the whole upper plumage is replaced by a
slatey blue, each feather from the shoulders to the end of the
tail barred transversely and tipped more or less distinctly with
a lighter shade of blue-grey. The slate colour on the crown
and side of the head, including the moustache, is of a dark hue.
The under plumage, instead of being streaked longitudinally
with brown, becomes at the first moult spotted and splashed
with markings of dark grey, which are partly transverse and
partly shaped like an arrow-head or tear-drop, especially on
the throat and gorge. At each successive moult these spots
and markings become more transverse and bar-like, and also
narrower and more sparse on the parts nearest the chin, until
in very old birds they disappear on the chin and throat, leaving
a blank surface of pure creamy white. Even before the first
moult the feet and legs begin to assume a yellow colour ;
and
by the time the first moult is over, they and the cere and
eyelids have changed to a more or less decided yellow, which
as the bird grows old develops into a rich gold.
Both sexes undergo the same changes in plumage, but it
should be said that these hawks at all ages vary considerably in
size and shape, and still more in their colouring. It is not
unusual to see an eyess which has the head and parts of the
upper plumage nearly black, while the brown of others at the
same age is as light as cocoa, with buff edgings. Some detailed
remarks as to the size and shape of peregrines and other hawks
will be found in Chapter xviil., where it will be seen that some
are of much more prepossessing appearance than others.
Speaking generally, the peregrine may be regarded as the
most perfect type of combined strength, speed, and destructive
power in birds. The proportions are such as could not be
altered with any advantage, and adapt the hawk to a greater
variety of flight than any other. This reason, and the fact
that it is to be found in almost all parts of the habitable world,
have always made it a favourite with falconers ;
and at the
present day it is more highly esteemed in Europe than any
other, even including the nobler gers.
The female— to which sex alone falconers allow the application
of the name of falcon—may be flown with success in this
country at herons, gulls of all kinds, ducks of all kinds, crows,
rooks, grouse, black-game, partridge, pheasant, woodcock, landrail,
Norfolk plover, curlew, and other sea birds of about
the same size, magpies, wood-pigeons, and doves. She may
also generally, if desired, be taught to fly at hares, and no
doubt at rabbits. Occasionally she may take plovers and
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