DESERT HAWKING II. By Harry McElroy.

1977 1st edition thus. Large 4to (219 x 287mm). Ppviii,188. B/w photograph plates & illustrations. Mottled green cloth titled in gilt.

A scarce classic of American falconry. This is Harry McElroy's second instalment in his much sought-after series on falconry and hawking in North America. McElroy divides his book between training and hunting the imprint Cooper's hawk and the Harris' hawk. Information about the sharp-shinned hawk is included in the section on the Cooper's hawk. Chapters include: Part 1 - Cooper's hawk: The imprint; Hand raising the Cooper's hawk; Anti-aggression conditioning; Selection of a hawk; Diet of Cooper's; Training; Hunting; Hunting quail; The sharp-shinned hawk - Kenneth Tuttle; Entering, training, and hack; Yarak, casting and weathering; Furniture, equipment, and imping of Cooper's and Harris'; Molt of the Cooper's. Part 2 - Selection of Harris': Training the austringer; Hunting with hawk and dog; Quail hawking with the Harris'; Bobwhite hawking - Eric Tabb; Flying the Harris in caste; Gray squirrel hawking - Malcolm Edwards; Diet and molt; Falconers' clubs and legalization.