J.M.Spencer@newcastle.ac.uk (Jonathan Spencer) (11/22/90)
Since a number of netters have asked for my bibliography (it's hardly that :o), here it is =================================================================== This is not intended as a comprehensive list - just a few titles which come to mind. The comments are my own bias-riddled opinions :o) I have the first five books myself, but it's quite some time since I read them - so this is not a review, more a hazy recollection. _A hawk for the bush_ Jack Mavrogordato 1960 and 1973 (probably out of print) ISBN 85435-082-9 The City Garden Press Ltd, Letchworth, Herts, SG6 1JS, England A superb treatise on the training of the sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus). This is the bible for the Austringer (one who flies shortwinged hawks - Accipitrae). Of much value to _anyone_ with the slightest interest in hawking. Cost around 8 pounds sterling in 1980. Buy it. _Falconry and hawking_ Phillip Glasier 1978, 1980, 1982 ISBN 0-7134-0232-6 BT Batsford Ltd, 4 Fitzharding St, London, W1H 0AH, England A book that tries to cover *every* aspect of falconry (falcons proper i.e. longwings) and hawking (shortwings and broadwings). It does reasonably well, but also gives some advice which I consider to be both incorrect and even reckless. Also tends to make it all sound rather too easy and glosses over the many difficultie involved e.g. he suggests that three weeks is plenty of time to pick up an eyas goshawk, and get it manned and entered. My opinion is that that timescale would, inevitably, lead to a lost and unrecoverable, hawk. Contains various design for hoods, gloves etc. Worth borrowing from the library, reading and returning, probably not worth buying. Cost around 18 pounds sterling (1980). _Hawks and practical falconry_ JE Harting 1898 and 1981 ISBN 0-826230-031-2 Saiga Publishing Co Ltd, 1 Royal Parade, Hindhead, Surrey, England. An interesting read, especially from a historical viewpoint. Many aspects (particularlry the law) are out of date. Worth borrowing from the library. Cost not known. _A manual of falconry_ MH Woodford 1981 ISBN 0-904602-04-4 A & C Black (Publishers) Ltd, 35 bedford Row, London, WC1R 4JH, England Quite a good read even though some aspects are out of date. Worth borrowing from the library. Cost around 7 pounds sterling in 1982. _Veterinary aspects of captive birds of prey_ JE Cooper 1978 The Standfast Press, Saul, Glos., England An absolute must for any falconer (unless your vet really is a true expert on hawks). It is clearly written - comprehesible to both the layman and expert alike. Cooper is a specialist in all diurnal birds of prey, and a prolific writer too. He is one of, perhaps, three or four experts in the UK. Cost around 10 pounds sterlin in 1983. Buy it. _Falconry, care, captive breeding and conservation_ J Parry-Jones 1988 Parry-Jones is the daughter of Glasier. She holds a very high opinion of herself (even describes herself as the best falconer in Britain): I don't like her manner. She does breed a lot of hawks, gives talks at schools, and performs flying displays at country fairs etc (although she has the nerve to call them falconry displays even though there is *no* falconry involved) etc. I'm not sure she actually goes out and takes quarry with a hawk, though I may be wrong. This book of hers was reviewed in "The Falconer": it wasn't warmly received. I haven't read it and, on the basis of the review, have no intention of doing so. _Observations on modern falconry_ Stevens 1987 I've not seen this one, nor read any reviews of it. Costs around 10 pounds sterling. _The sparrowhawk_ I Newton 1986 I've not read it, but it was well reviewed in "British Birds". Newton is an expert on the wild British sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) and he, too, is a prolific author. Costs around 15 pounds sterling. Probably worth buying outright for those interested in the spar.