Author Description

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 Falconer-biologist, founder of The Peregrine Fund, author of The Falcons of the World