FALCONRY AND HAWKING. By Phillip Glasier. 2005 3rd edition reprint.

(1978) 2005 3rd edition reprint. 4to (193 x 255mm). Pp352. Colour plates by G.E. Lodge, colour and b/w photographs, illustrations, pictorial end-papers. Dark green boards, spine titled in gilt.

A classic text on the subject and still considered the definitive guide for falconers. It covers all aspects of falconry from its history and development to training, housing, tools, equipment and skills. Chapters include: An historical outline; The birds themselves; Training in brief; Housing; Tools and equipment; Equpiment, part II; Hoods and hooding; Handling the new arrival; Condition; Manning and early training; Flying free and getting fit; Flying falcons out of the hood; flying short-wings; Merlins; Game hawking; Moulting, imping and coping; Lost hawks; Hack and hacking back; dogs for hawking; Hood-making; Making bells and hawking bags; Glove-making; Health and disease; Conservation and captive breeding; Hood patterns. The end-papers have full-size patterns for hoods which are easily photocopied and cut out. Patterns are given for the following: Falconry Centre hoods - peregrine tiercel, gyr, falcon ('a very old pattern'), sparrow hawk (Afghan), falcon (Arab), merlin, Bonelli's eagle and changeable hawk-eagle; Anglo-Indian hoods - saker, male goshawk, sparrow hawk. Patterns for jesses and so forth are given in the text, with full instructions.