Perhaps once or twice in a Century a truly inspired book becomes a classic in the world literature about falconry. This book, published by Western Sporting [managed by David Frank] and authored by 21 expert falconers on how to train and hunt with two small species of falcons, the circumboreal merlin and the red-headed falcon of the Indian Subcontinent and sub-Saharan Africa, is destined to take its place among the great books on hawking. It is richly illustrated by drawings and full page, color portraits by Ron Digby of the various subspecies and variants of the merlin and red-headed falcon. In addition to the superbly written chapters by the falconers, there is also a 100-page chapter by Robin Radcliffe providing an informative, up-to-date summary of the scientific literature on both species of falcons.

The rich experiences these falconers have so generously shared with their readers about working with these two small, but highly capable bird hunters, leaves the inspired reader longing to take up this special branch of hawking. I predict a greatly increased interest in hunting with Merlins and other small species of falcons in coming years. -Tom Cade: Falconer-biologist, founder of The Peregrine Fund, author of The Falcons of the World.

Table of Contents

Artist & Author Biographies

IN CELEBRATION OF THE MERLIN: An Account of the Merlin. United States: Hans Peeters
Chapter 1 - NATURAL HISTORY AND ECOLOGY OF THE MERLIN AND RED-HEADED FALCON. United States: Robin William Radcliffe
Chapter 2 - CAPTIVE PROPAGATION OF MERLINS. Germany: Manfred Heidenreich
Chapter 3 - HACKING MERLINS. Great Britain: Tony James
Chapter 4 - LARK HAWKING WITH MERLINS. Great Britain: Grant Hagger, Con Taylor and Mike Nicholls
Chapter 5 - HAWKING WITH MERLINS IN RUSSIA. Russia: Natalia Grechanaya
Chapter 6 - HAWKING WITH MERLINS IN THE OLD WORLD AND NEW WORLD. Great Britain: John Loft
Chapter 7 - FLYING JACKS FROM A PITCH. United States: Hans Peeters
Chapter 8 - HIGH CLIMBING FLIGHTS AT STARLINGS WITH THE PASSAGE MERLIN. United States: Kenneth C. Tuttle with John Testa
Chapter 9 - WAITING-ON FLIGHTS WITH MERLINS. United States: Tim Gallagher
Chapter 10 - FLYING THE PASSAGE MERLIN: TRAPPING, TRAINING, AND HUNTING METHODS. United States: Eric Edwards with Alan Jenkins and Spence Wise
Chapter 11 - THE MERLIN AND RED-HEADED FALCON IN INDIA. India: Sirdar Mohamed Osman
Chapter 12 - FLYING EYASS AND INTERMEWED RED-HEADED FALCONS IN SOUTHERN AFRICA. South Africa: E.R. 'Robbie' Robinson and Kenny J. Pinnock
Chapter 13 - TURUMTI SUMMER: ADVENTURES IN IRELAND WITH A CAST OF RED-HEADED FALCONS. Ireland: Tony Huston
HOOD FITTING CHART, HOODMAKING AND PATTERNS. United States: James West Nelson
BIBLIOGRAPHY
FALCONRY EQUIPMENT CITED