Falconry Exam - Section 5 - Care and Maintenance

89. True or false. Frigid temperatures are likely to alter both the dial settings and the transmitter signal on a telemetry unit.

89. True or false. Frigid temperatures are likely to alter both the dial settings and the transmitter signal on a telemetry unit. Ans. True. Each unit will behave slightly differently when subjected to cold weather. The recommended way to test your unit is to turn on the receiver and put the batteries in the transmitter in the household freezer. Observe how much it drifts as it cools. Remove the transmitter and let it stabilize at room temperature. Now place the receiver in the freezer and see how far the dial setting changes after it has been allowed to stabilize at cold temperature. Record the results for future reference. Now you have some idea of what your gear will do if you tune-up in a warm car and fly in a snow-covered field.

85. True or false: Ideally when a pair of hawk bells is selected, both bells should produce identical tones.

Ans. False Bells with two different metals and two different tones yield a more dissonant sound which can be heard from farther away.

57. True or False: Newly caught Accipiters tend to break feathers more frequently than most hawks.

Ans. True. Accipiters are much worse at damaging their plumage than are falcons, Red-tailed Hawked Hawks, or Harris's Hawks. A newly caught Cooper's Hawk or Goshawk will very quickly break all of its tail feathers unless its tail is enclosed in a paper or plastic sheath and taped in place until the hawk tames down.

70. True or false: An austringer should always change slitted jesses before flying his or her bird.

Ans. True. Always use slitless field jesses when flying the hawk loose. Make them long enough for ease of handling in the field and punch a tiny hole in the end to store conveniently on a saddle pin sewn to a hawking bag, coat, or vest. Vegetable bark tanned kangaroo hide is the best choice for jesses and Aylmeri bracelets. Falconers using an Arab jess system that depends on tied, slitless jesses may not need to change jesses.

73. True or false: Goshawks need longer field jesses than falcons.

Ans. True. The principle reason for this is that a Goshawk is held on the fist when hunting whereas a falcon is released the moment it is unhooded. Most falcons are flown with no jesses - only the bracelets and a radio transmitter.

18. Coping your Red-tailed Hawk for the first time requires. . . a. glue b. the aid of your sponsor c. a coping peg d. all of the above

Ans. b

62. The best way for a beginner to judge a raptor's condition is by daily... a. visual inspection of how the bird holds its feathers b. weighing the bird c. feeling its keel d. checking the brightness of its eyes

Ans. b All of these are important ways to check a raptor's condition. Weighing the bird, however, is the most objective and reliable.

68. H.J. Slijper's "canon" is... a. a modified Dutch bow net b. a geometrical formula for fitting Indian hoods c. a special bewit adapted for fastening a tail bell d. a method of casting a small accipiter at quarry

Ans. b H.J. Slijper's "canon" is a geometrical formula based on head measurements, which can be used to develop a hood pattern to fit any bird well with a glued, seamless hood.

34. The best perch for tethering a Red-tailed Hawk outdoors is. . . a. a screen perch b. a block perch c. a ring perch d. none of the above

Ans. c

35. A block perch is best suited for which raptor? a. Goshawk b. Red-tailed Hawk c. Falcon d. Red-shouldered Hawk

Ans. c

37. Radio telemetry allows the falconer to. . . a. fly a bird without bells b. fly a fat bird without concern c. help locate a lost bird d. fly in more risky environments

Ans. c

23. Bells are best attached to. . . a. the legs b. the tail c. around the neck d. any of the above may apply

Ans. d

33. A giant hood is. . . a. a box for carrying a hawk b. good for a hood-shy hawk c. large leather hood used for eagles d. a. and b. are correct

Ans. d

36. A cadge is used to. . . a. restrain a bird b. secure a hawk during training exercises c. give direction to a transmitter signal d. transport a bird to the field

Ans. d

51. Most raptors drink water... a. never b. only when sick c. regularly in large amounts d. every day or two in small amounts

Ans. d A bath should always be provided. Many birds prefer a fine spray of water from a garden sprinkler or other device. A change in a raptor's drinking habits can be an indicator of deteriorating health.

41. The most important factors in maintaining a healthy raptor of any species is... a. daily flying b. balanced diet c. regular access to fresh water for drinking or bathing d. all of the above

Ans. d Daily flying is an especially important variable. Some hawks may appear to exercise by wing flapping or bating at the perch. But there is no substitute for vigorous flying. Some hawks appear to lose their health very quickly when not flown regularly.

40. A(The) mark(s) of a good falconer is(are)... a. the ability of his or her bird to consistently take wild game b. the amount of resources he or she spends on the birds c. the condition of the birds he or she keeps d. both a and c

Ans. d The good health and physical condition of the bird in his or her charge, and the ability to hone a bird's hunting skills are the primary aims and accomplishments of a falconer. To keep a falcon or hawk in perfect condition is not an easy task; a beat-up crippled game hawk is useless and reflects poorly on the falconer.

61. In cross-section, an imping needle should ideally be... a. round b. square c. flat d. triangular

Ans. d Triangular, because this allows the needle to be inserted into the feather without splitting the shaft, yet it will prevent the feather from rotating. However, a flexible feather shaft glued inside the shaft is best.

86. True or false: When a plastic electric cable-tie is used as bewit, it should be fastened around the tarsus.

Ans. False A bewit is a small leather strip used to secure a bell to a hawk's leg. The bewit is fastened around the tarsus (the lower leg) above the jess. Modern falconers often substitute a plastic fastener or zip tie. This should be attached to the Aylmeri jess, not the leg. It is less flexible than leather and very strong; if caught on a branch or bark it could potentially break the hawk's leg.

46. True or False: Beef heart and chicken necks or backs from the grocery provide a safe, balanced and healthy diet for your bird.

Ans. False Beef heart promotes calcium/phosphorous imbalance and chicken necks and backs are too fatty and the bones pose a physical danger. A chicken neck or backbone swallowed whole can lodge between the crop and the rest of the digestive system and kill the hawk before the source of the problem can be discovered. Whole animal diets of 4 week old cockerels, Coturnix quail, mice or rats are the best and easiest food to provide. Your bird will do best if you rotate these items or vary the diet. You should warm all cold food in warm water when possible. Use of vitamin and mineral supplements formulated for raptors is recommended.

79. True or false: One end of the creance should be attached to a light stick or weight, the other end to a bird's swivel.

Ans. False Do not tie the creance to the swivel. Remove the swivel and replace the mew or perch jesses with slitless field jesses. The creance should pass through the small holes punched in the end of the field jesses and be tied with a falconer's knot. This way, if an accident happens, and the bird escapes, it will not get hung up somewhere and die. Caution: a tough field jess must be used, because the strain on the leather is great when the hawk tries to rake away and fly off.

69. True or false: When making their own hood, most North American falconers prefer the Dutch to the Indian pattern.

Ans. False The Dutch hood is made over a form (hood block) and is slow and difficult to complete. The Indian hood is more popular with Northern American falconers because it is lighter and easier to make and fit (especially around the sensitive mouth and nostrils). The advantage of the Dutch hood, other than looks, is its stiff, solid construction which makes it simpler to get on a bird that is difficult to hood. Due to the availability of lightconstruction, high-quality Dutch hoods made by talented leatherworkers within the North American falconry community, Dutch hoods have recently become more commonly made and used by North American falconers.

74. True or false: The common dog-leash snap-swivel is a reliable and convenient swivel for attaching the jesses of a hawk to its leash.

Ans. False This swivel is unreliable because the jesses work out of the clip easily. The snap swivel is dangerous because it is so heavy that it will certainly ruin the bird's plumage. The best swivels are custom-made figure 8's, or heavy-duty fishing swivels such as the kind manufactured by Sampo.

60. True or false: the ideal imping plug is a metal needle.

Ans. False Though metal is the traditional material, it is too stiff for the flexible shaft of the feather, and it may break along invisible faults. Better imping needles are made from bamboo or even barroom swizzle-sticks, which are not brittle. The best material is a piece of flexible feather shaft.

59. True or false: A feather broken on the final day of hunting season should be repaired at once.

Ans. True Even just before or during the molt, broken feathers should be repaired. This is just as important during the molt as any other time. The sequence of molt of the long feathers is always such that, except for the outermost primaries and tail feathers, the new feather always comes down between two that are fully grown, or nearly so. Any old feather that is broken thus becomes a peril to the new feather because it does not provide support and protection to it as it grows. Should the new feather be broken while still soft ("in the blood"), then the next feathers become increasingly exposed to damage. The next season could be ruined.

True or false: Tough stringy meat should be used to garnish a lure.

Ans. True Tying tough, stringy meat is to lures is best because it stays there and cannot be eaten quickly. Chicken heads are ideal; a snap hook can be clipped through the nostril and lower mandible and the neck further secured by a leather thong. Day old chicks are more commonly used and can be secured by a leather thong.

82. True or false: A lure with a weight attached is almost always preferred to a one-piece lure.

Ans. True. A swinging weight always brings a bird to the ground faster. A one pound padded weight swinging on a 4- to 10-foot line will bring a big female Goshawk to earth in 50 yards or so, and once down she cannot get going again. The same bird can easily carry a 26 ounce one-piece lure for an almost unlimited distance and reflush with it, time after time, when approached. It is important that the weight is well padded; otherwise it may bounce as the hawk carries the lure close to the ground and strike the hawk, causing injury. A naked lead fishing weight is extremely dangerous.

88. True or false: Under field conditions, tuning to the weak response on a telemetry unit is something the falconer should recognize.

Ans. True. As you tune your telemetry receiver, you will notice that the signal comes in at two settings on the dial. Normally you will use the strongest setting for maximum sensitivity. The weak side setting is occasionally useful for close-in work when the signal is too strong. Observe how the pitch of the beeper changes as you turn the dial. This allows you to tell whether you are on the main response or the weak response. Some receivers have multiple settings for close, medium, and long-distance, which make it easier to figure out how close the target is. Whatever the style, make sure you understand and have practiced how to use your telemetry gear before you use it under live field conditions.

47. True or False: As a general rule, the dark-colored meats are of higher caloric value for raptors than the white meats.

Ans. True. Dark "richer" meats are much more energy dense than white meats and will hold a bird's weight longer. The meat of ducks or large mammals is heavier and must be fed in lesser amounts than the meat of chicken or upland game birds. Beef-heart is much like pigeon in appearance and food value, but it is not recommended because it promotes a calcium/phosphorous imbalance. Many falconers refuse to feed their birds pigeon meat because of the danger of avian herpes, frounce and other diseases

72. True or false: The Aylmeri jess is safer for the bird than the traditional jess.

Ans. True. The Aylmeri has a bracelet and removable swivel strap, whereas the conventional jess has the swivel strap permanently attached to the leg. If the bird twists the jess, the Aylmeri is less likely to constrict against the tarsi. If the bird escapes, it is likely to pick out and discard the leather jess thongs and be left with the innocuous bracelets.

11. The white chalky substance in a hawk's mute is. . . a. the urates from the kidneys b. the feces from the digestive tract c. abnormal and cause for concern d. undigested food

Ans. a

21. When lure flying an American Kestrel, your lure should be . . . a. lightweight b. heavily weighted to prevent your bird from carrying c. heavily weighted to encourage hard hitting d. none of the above

Ans. a

22. A creance is best. . . a. used in open spaces b. used in thick cover c. attached to the birds wing d. thin and breakable

Ans. a

3. Fed equal amounts of the following, a raptor is likely to gain the most weight from. . . a. duck b. chicken neck c. washed meat d. rabbit

Ans. a

63. The novice falconer should weigh his or her bird... a. once each day b. once every other day c. at least once a week d. whenever the bird fails to perform

Ans. a A bird's weight and condition is affected by a number of variables, including the type of food, quality of food, weather (especially temperature), disease, season, barometric pressure, the amount of exercise, the species of hawk, and the individual's metabolism and ability to assimilate food. Before acquiring a bird, a falconer should obtain a 5 pound scale that weighs increments as low as a half ounce (preferably grams) and equip it with a perch. A scale is absolutely essential. Daily weighing during the flying season is mandatory.

90. A hack-board is likely to be used with a(n)... a. eyas b. passage bird c. haggard d. vulture

Ans. a A hack-board is the platform to which food is secured when birds are being kept at hack. Hack is the state of complete liberty, which may be given to eyases during the first few weeks after they can fly.

58. If a remige (primary or secondary wing feather) is broken, it is best to... a. repair the feather by imping b. wait until natural molting occurs c. pluck out the feather stump to stimulate growth of a replacement feather d. leave it alone - do nothing

Ans. a If the feather is plucked, there is a possibility that the regenerative feather follicle lining will be pulled out. If this happens, a feather will never grow again from this follicle. The bird will be partially crippled and will forever have a gap in its wing.

67. The most effective trap for small hawks outside of the migration is... a. the bal-chatri b. the phai-trap c. the bow-net d. the harnessed pigeon

Ans. a The bal-chatri is a small wire cage covered with monofilament nooses. There are many proven shapes, including a small round one used specifically for American Kestrels, which are commonly baited with mice or small birds. Larger bal-chatris baited with pigeons are effective for catching Goshawks, Cooper's Hawks, and Red-tailed Hawks.

78. A "creance" is... a. a strong line used to control a raptor during early training b. a disease of the mouth and throat of raptors c. a watery, foul-smelling mute d. a soft leather thong used to bind one wing to prevent bating

Ans. a The disease referred to in (b) is frounce. The thong referred to in (d) is a brail which is rarely if ever used by modern falconers.

43. A raptor at hack should be taken up... a. when it starts hunting b. just before midnight c. at least two weeks before the Autumnal Equinox d. after two weeks of complete freedom

Ans. a The purpose of the hack is to permit full development of the lungs and muscles of young hawks. Another advantage is that hacked birds generally don't become screamers. During this time they are dependent on man for food alone, and when they indicate an ability or desire to start "self-hunting" they must be caught up and the training started.

44. Falconers generally prefer that falcons take the lure... a. from a steep dive flying downwind b. from a steep dive flying upwind c. on a low raking approach downwind d. on a low raking approach upwind

Ans. a The tendency of any young falcon is always to make a circle so as to approach the lure flying into the wind and from a rather low raking approach. The trainer wants a bird to learn to rake the lure from a steep diving approach flying downwind. It follows that any time your falcon climbs steeply into the wind after a miss that if you can get it to try for the lure immediately after it turns downwind, the bird should then be permitted to hit it.

80. The best anchor for a creance among the following is... a. a pair of old sneakers b. a goal post when flying on the practice field c. a tree d. an automobile

Ans. a The trainer should use a strong line and attach the free end to a light object, weighing a pound of two, which can bounce along the long line, bringing the bird quickly but gently to the ground. If the line is attached to something solid, it could snap, allowing the bird to fly off and potentially to die miserably of exposure, starvation or predation, hanging by its feet.

14. A bird's flight weight. . . a. stays constant at all times b. may vary based on temperature c. is best maintained with a diet of washed meat d. a. and c. above

Ans. b

24. A bewit is used to attach. . . a. bells around the neck b. bells to the tarsi c. jesses to the tarsi d. a swivel to the jesses

Ans. b

26. Using too thin of an Aylmeri bracelet may cause. . . a. excessive bating b. damage to the tarsi c. damage to the cere d. a hanging alula

Ans. b

32. Which of the following is true? a. Dutch hoods are easily made without the aid of a block b. Anglo hoods are easily made without the aid of a block c. Arab hoods have no place in North American falconry d. a. and c. are both true

Ans. b

38. Braces are used to. . . a. restrain a bating bird b. strike a hood c. enseam a hawk d. enter a hawk

Ans. b

5. Your new Red-tailed Hawk bends some feathers while hunting. Unsure what to do, you should. . . a. cut them off at the bend and imp in new feathers b. call your sponsor and ask for advice c. soak them in leather softening oil d. pluck the feathers

Ans. b

6. The apprentice falconer should best judge his raptor's condition daily by. . . a. checking feather condition b. weighing c. feeling the keel d. checking for yarak

Ans. b

75. The best perch for preventing feather damage in Accipiters is a... a. ring perch b. tail-saver perch c. bow perch d. screen perch

Ans. b The bow perch prevents the tangling and hang-ups that plague ring perches, but the tail saver perch developed by Heinz Meng is best for saving the long tail feathers of the hyperactive Accipiters.

45. You are lure flying a falcon and it strikes the lure firmly on the first stoop of the day. You should... a. continue swinging the lure and ignore the hit b. give the bird the lure and feed it a reward c. give the bird the lure but withhold the reward d. none of the above

Ans. b You must always play fair with your hawk. As the falcon improves, it will more and more frequently take, or at least hit, the lure on passes where it was your intention that it miss. Following any solid hit, the lure should be dropped to the ground and the falcon permitted to come in on it.

10. A passage hawk is most likely to break tail feathers if. . . a. you use a tail saver b. you hunt quail c. you keep it on an improper perch d. you allow it to mantle

Ans. c

12. A falcon is most commonly kept on a. . . a. screen perch b. ring perch c. block perch d. bow perch

Ans. c

15. Protecting a bird from direct sunlight during the heat of summer. . . a. is not necessary as they are desert birds b. is the best way to get them vitamin D c. is necessary as they can overheat d. a. and b. above

Ans. c

19. A giant hood for a passage hawk . . . a. is an ancient piece of equipment that has proved to be unnecessary b. is useful only during manning c. may be useful for the entire season d. prevents the need for sealing

Ans. c

25. Which of the following is not necessary for a newly trapped bird? a. a glove b. a swivel c. a transmitter d. a leash

Ans. c

29. The preferred swivel is. . . a. the snap type b. the French clip type c. strong ball bearing type d. none of the above

Ans. c

30. The most effective trap for obtaining your first Red-tailed Hawk is. . . a. the dho-gazza b. the phai-trap c. the bal-chatri d. the mist net

Ans. c

8. During the hunting season your new Red-tailed Hawk should be weighed. . . a. once a week b. whenever you go hawking c. once a day d. when they seem fat

Ans. c

9. Fret marks on the feathers of a new bird is the result of. . . a. arrested feather development b. stress c. both a. and b. d. none of the above

Ans. c

87. A "Yagi" is... a. an Indian hood made of dog skin b. a Pakistani glove without finger sleeves c. a hand-held telemetry antenna d. a juvenile Saker Falcon

Ans. c A Yagi is a sensitive hand-held telemetry antenna consisting of three or more elements mounted at right angles to a central boom. Reception range is usually 1/4 to 1 mile if both bird and falconer are on the ground and 10 miles or more when used from an aircraft.

91. A halsband would be most useful when... a. hunting with a Golden Eagle on horseback b. hunting with a cast of Gyrfalcons c. hunting with a dog and Goshawk from the first d. hunting with a ferret and Red-tailed Hawk from a tree

Ans. c A halsband is an East Indian device. It consists of a cord hung loosely across the upper back of an accipiter ahead of the wings, used for launching a bird for a very quick start on quarry. In order to launch the bird, you must know where the quarry is, so it's best to have a dog. The use of halsbands are not consistent with either the size or hunting style of Golden Eagles or Gyrfalcons. It is illegal to hunt with ferrets in New York.

55. A bent feather should be... a. cut off at the bend and a new one imped in b. pulled out c. immersed in hot water d. treated with neatsfoot oil

Ans. c Bent feathers or feathers with the web twisted should be dipped in hot (not boiling) water. They will straighten out immediately.

48. A raptor maintains its weight on 2 ounces of whole pigeon per day. If fed 2 ounces of rabbit per day, a falconer would expect the raptor to... a. gain weight b. maintain the same weight c. lose weight d. some would lose while others would gain

Ans. c Falconers must be aware how different foods impact their birds. Pigeon is a relatively rich food and cannot be fed in nearly the quantity that is necessary when feeding the pale meat of rabbit, young domestic chickens, or even pheasants. While pigeons are common prey for certain raptors in the wild, the falconer should beware of feeding pigeons to his or her hawk. Even healthy looking pigeons may have herpes, which is fatal to raptors.

52. Hawks should have drinking water provided for them... a. once a week b. twice a week c. every day d. only during very hot weather

Ans. c Fresh water should be made available to hawks every day. Most species enjoy drinking, especially after a meal. If water is available for drinking or bathing, they will be more content and healthier.

42. Direct sun in hot weather (over 90 degrees F) for an extended period... a. does not affect desert raptors b. is enjoyed by all raptors c. can be fatal to any species d. will bother only arctic species

Ans. c Heat alone can kill Goshawks. Peregrines suffer more from excessive dryness in the air. Direct sun can be fatal to any raptor in hot weather. The desert falcons are more resistant, but even these birds cannot take prolonged exposure when the temperature is above 90 degrees. Wild hawks such as Harris's Hawks and falcons living in hot climates spend much of their time high aloft soaring in the cooling air of the thermals.

64. The basic requirements for maintaining a captive raptor are a... a. perch, bath, hood, and scales b. hood, food supply, lure, and scales c. perch, food supply, scales, and bath d. food supply, lure, hood, and bath

Ans. c These requirements are basic. Before you get a bird you will also need these essentials: (1) a gauntlet (2) jesses, preferably with Aylmeri bracelets, (3) three figure 8 swivels, (4) indoor facilities, (5) several hoods of various sizes, (6) a fenced weathering area, (7) three leashes. Falconers traditionally used leather leashes, but a braided nylon rope (1/4") makes a far better leash than leather. If you learn to tie it properly, it will last forever, but to make it safe, you must know how to tie it correctly.

1. A pellet or casting found under your birds perch in the morning is. . . a. the first sign of frounce b. a normal bowel movement c. a foul smelling bacterial infection d. the indigestible portion of the raptor's last meal

Ans. d

13. A pigeon wing makes a good tiring. They can be used to. . . a. keep a birds beak trim b. aid in manning a bird c. provide a nutritious meal d. a. and b. above

Ans. d

16. A bird that feaks after eating is. . . a. generally content and healthy b. cleaning its beak c. not well and you should consult your sponsor d. a. and b. above

Ans. d

17. Imping your new passage Red-tailed Hawk requires. . . a. the aid of your sponsor b. glue c. an imping peg d. all of the above

Ans. d

2. A bath pan is not necessary for your bird because. . . a. they don't like to bathe b. they don't drink water c. they cause sour crop d. none of the above

Ans. d

20. A lure can be. . . a. a dead pigeon b. sewn leather with meat attached c. a bundle of wings attached together d. any of the above

Ans. d

27. Using field jesses while hunting your hawk is advisable because. . . a. they prevent your bird from getting entangled in trees b. they prevent your bird from leaving the fist when startled c. they prevent frounce d. a. and b. above

Ans. d

28. A leash may . . . a. be made of strong well-oiled leather b. be made of strong supple nylon c. be directly attached to the tarsi d. a. and b. above

Ans. d

31. When trapping your first hawk, you should. . . a. trap alone to learn the ropes b. scout an area prior to beginning c. be supervised by your sponsor d. b. and c. are advisable

Ans. d

39. Bells are best used. . . a. while hunting b. while weathering c. while trapping d. a. and b. above

Ans. d

4. A mews should provide all of the following. . . a. protection from predators b. protection from the elements c. good ventilation d. all of the above

Ans. d

7. The gram scale can be used to weigh. . . a. American Kestrels b. Peregrine falcons c. Gyrfalcons d. all of the above

Ans. d

71. Jess bracelets that are too narrow are dangerous because... a. they may catch in briars when the hawk is flown b. they do not enable a quick release when the hawk is cast off c. they may slip over the block when the hawk weathers d. they may cause leg sores

Ans. d A bird's tarsus should be regularly examined for calluses or sores. An additional danger of narrow jess bracelets is their tendency to slip around a toe in a simple half-hitch knot and cut off circulation.

50. A good "tiring" would be... a. chicken breast b. day-old chick c. beef heart d. game bird wing

Ans. d A game bird wing with very little meat attached makes an ideal tiring. Tiring is any tough part of a quarry - consisting mostly of feathers, sinew, or fur - which is given to a bird to tear and work upon, rather than to provide nourishment. Its purpose is to exercise the bird's back and neck muscles, keep its beak in good trim, and keep it from getting bored.

49. Captive raptors require more food energy per day... a. in cold weather b. during the molt c. when being flown hard d. all of these

Ans. d All of these factors and many others increase the energy requirements for raptors.

53. Aside from daily clean-up, the mews should be thoroughly cleaned... a. once a year b. twice each year c. four times each year d. as needed

Ans. d Although sanitation is more important to humans than hawks, a clean dry hawk house (or "mews") with dry litter regularly changed, clean perches, regular exercise, and fresh nourishing food are the best prophylactic measures to prevent disease. The hawk house must be kept clean, and routinely cleared of castings, feathers and debris. A deeper, more thorough cleaning must be conducted as needed.

84. Bells are most needed... a. when your bird is on the perch in the yard b. to keep track of your bird in the trees or sky without watching her too closely c. when the bird is down with quarry d. all of the above

Ans. d Even belled birds can be difficult to find when they are down on quarry, accipiters even more so than buteos or falcons. A falcon and most Red-tailed Hawked Hawks will stay out in the open though they will mantle their quarry. Accipiters have a habit of dragging a quarry into the nearest thicket and hiding themselves under overhanging grass and brush. At such times, they will almost allow themselves to be stepped on. For this reason, many people prefer using a tail bell on accipiters, because it is more likely to ring. Also, bells alert strangers that the hawk is a trained bird.

77. The minimum width of a falcon perch across the top is... a. 4 inches b. 6 inches c. 12 inches d. Determined by the size of the leg and the length of the jesses

Ans. d For most large falcons, the typical width is about 8 inches. The block should be circular in cross-section and wide enough to prevent the jesses from slipping one on each side. Failure to prevent the jesses from so slipping around the block risks significant feather damage and injury to the bird. Using comparatively short jesses is recommended, though jesses should be long enough to still permit the bird to be able to walk on the perch.

66. The mist net is also known as the... a. bal-chatri b. dho-gazza c. phai-trap d. none of the above

Ans. d Mist nets were originally made with human hair and used to trap small birds in Japan and China. It is similar in appearance to the dho-gazza, which was used in Asia Minor and later in Arabia and India where the name originated. However, the concept of the dho-gazza, which uses a smaller, heavier net like a gill net to funnel and trap the birds, is very different from the mist net, which uses find strands and bulky pockets to entangle the raptor. The phai-trap used in India consists of a circle of relatively large nooses around a bait pigeon or other live lure.

54. If a raptor is to be free-lofted in the mews, the windows should be protected with... a. heavy gauge welded wire b. insect screen reinforced with poultry netting c. horizontal rods d. vertical round rods

Ans. d The best arrangement is for the windows to be covered by vertical bars placed about two inches apart with no spaces or cross-bars. On horizontal bars, birds will attempt to land and hang there with their wings flapping and tail jammed down as a prop. This leads to extensive feather breakage. Windows on a hawk house should not be screened in such a manner that the raptor can touch the screen. Some falconers attach screening outside of the vertical bars (about 4 inches away) to keep out insects and other pests.

81. In the field, it is important to have the following falconry equipment... a. bells b. lure c. jesses d. all of the above

Ans. d The lure is the one truly indispensable piece of field equipment. Without a lure, the falconer appears no different to the bird than any other person. An escaped or reticent bird can be taken with ease when a lure is available.

76. The block perch is used for falcons; the ring perch used for accipiters. This rationale is based on... a. health b. comfort c. tradition d. all of the above

Ans. d The perches were designed to accommodate the foot shape and confirmation and the natural perches generally preferred by the birds. This is thought to enhance the health of the bird's feet. A Goshawk probably wouldn't be comfortable on a block, and although a ring perch may not be uncomfortable for a falcon, most falconers remain consistent with tradition and keep falcons on a block perch.

65. Of the following, probably the most effective method of trapping large non-migratory raptor species is the... a. dho-gazza b. dig-in c. bow net d. pigeon harness (noosed pigeon)

Ans. d The pigeon harness allows the falconer to approach hunting hawks wherever they may be perched alongside a road. Most hawks do not seem to fear the approach of a vehicle so long as it maintains speed and does not stop. The sight of a handicapped pigeon from a moving automobile seems to trigger a desire to kill in many raptors. Make sure you have the landowner's permission and/or department of transportation authorization, where appropriate. In some states (New York among them), tossing a harnessed pigeon from a moving vehicle is restricted by law. The Swedish Goshawk trap, which is not listed above, is also a safe and effective method of trapping large raptors year-round.

56. "Shock marks" on the tail of an eyas hawk are most likely the result of... a. a period of time when the parents failed to provide adequate food for the youngster before it was taken from the nest b. the stress of being taken from the nest c. external parasites d. all of the above

Ans. d The tail streaks that falconers of old called "hunger streaks" or "hunger traces" are probably more accurately called "stress marks" or "shock marks." They indicate a point in feather development at which the bird was under sufficient stress that normal growth was temporarily halted. Prolonged hunger can certainly cause these same marks, but they are universally the mark of an eyas hawk unless it was taken as a downy. They often appear on an eyas' tail at the point of feather growth that the bird was taken from the nest. These marks sometimes result from the work of feather mites when birds have no stress and ever present food.