ACCIPITRINE BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS: DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT. By Michael McDermott.

2004 1st edition. Large 8vo (183 x 260mm). Pp205,3 pp Notes. Colour and b/w photographs, brief bibliogrpahy. Black boards, upper board and spine titled in gilt.

Michael McDermott gives us the benefit of his experience, experiments and research in analysing and solving the problems which arise in the course oftraining and hunting accipiters: here mainly goshawks, sharpshins, Cooper's hawks and sparrowhawks. The latter species was not covered in McDermott's The Imprint Accipiter. Chapters include: Applications - basics, behaviour modification tables, research, some base information to acquire, exploit the good, feather and health issues, compiling a vice list, experience and ability; Controls and routines - problem description of study birds, issues of weight; Fears and phobias - fear oriented incidents, combined causes of fear, combined treatments for fear; Aggression - genetic disposition stance, cause and effect stance, the middle ground, hooding, causes and treatments for aggression, falconry pleasure for the hard-working human; The big 6 - causes of and treatments for, sticky footedness, carrying, possession, refusing game, field control issues. As with all three of McDermott's books, essential reading.