Page:The Zoologist, 3rd series, vol 2 (1878).djvu/126

104 for the present to provide the bulk of the required funds, the scale on which the undertaking will be carried out must, of course, depend in some measure on the amount of support which the promoters are able to secure for him. As the working of such a Club as that contemplated must necessarily be attended with considerable expense, since extra falconers and extra hawks are required to render it constantly available for all kinds of sport, it is proposed that the annual subscription of members shall be five guineas. The election of members will be left to a committee of noblemen and gentlemen well known iu sporting circles. Among the advantages to be enjoyed may be enumerated the following:—(1). Admission at all reasonable times to the headquarters of the Club, and the mews of the hawks in the Alexandra Park, and free access to the falconers, who will give practical instruction and assistance, when required, in everything connected with the management, training, and flying of hawks. Members can also have their own hawks taken care of temporarily at the Club headquarters, on payment of a fair fixed rate for their keep. (2.) Participation in hawking parties, which will be arranged to suit the convenience of members in any suitable localities that may be desired, such as the Isle of Thanet, for heron-hawking; Salisbury Plain, Dunstable Downs, the Berkshire Downs, Aldershot and Bagshot, for rook-hawking; possibly the Curragh for magpie-hawking; and perhaps meets may be also arranged on the Continent, to suit foreign members, but this can hardly be undertaken during the first season. (3.) Exceptional facilities in procuring hawks, a number of which will be to spare every year at the close of the regular season, since only particular favourites are ever moulted by Captain Dugmore. Members will have a preferential right to obtain such spare hawks at a much lower price than would be charged to outsiders. Members can also have their servants trained as falconers at the Club headquarters; though the resident falconers will of course expect, and be permitted to receive, a small fee for such services, involving, as they would do, much extra time and trouble. If desired, young hawks can be hacked for members at the Master's Hawking Lodge, in Ireland, which is kept up for that purpose. (4.) The use, at all practicable times, of hawks for flying to the lure in the Park. Individual members will also, be permitted the use of a falconer and a few hawks or cormorants (for fishing) at their respective residences, whenever they can be spared without detriment to the interests of the Club. If sufficient support is forthcoming, the staff of falconers will be increased for this purpose, as it is thought that members possessing grouse moors or partridge shooting may be glad to enjoy a few days' game-hawking in the proper season.—As the hawking season commenced on the 1st of February, gentlemen who may be disposed to encourage the project, and join in reviving the grand old sport of "Falconry," are invited to communicate at once with—