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each with a metal hoop on the end. The swivel may be traditional, or modified. The <br />modified swivel has much larger metal hoops than the traditional. While swivels have <br />been made of cloth or other materials in the past, most modern falconers use metal <br />swivels. <br />When using Alymeri jesses, there are usually two sets of straps: the mew straps, for <br />manning and tethering the bird, and flying straps. The flying straps are lighter and <br />smaller for hunting, while the mews straps are heavy and less likely to break with stress. <br />Most importantly, hunting/flying jesses are absent of the slit which can often get <br />caught up on a branch or bush, leaving the bird hanging too high up in the tree to be <br />retrieved. Since using mews jesses in the field is dangerous to the bird, educated <br />falconers no longer risk them. Instead, they are changed out before the bird is released <br />to free-flight, and the mews jesses returned into the grommets after the free-flight is over <br />and the bird is safely in hand. <br />Jesses and anklets need to be replaced periodically, and checked for fit if they <br />are causing injury. <br />A scale is used to weigh the bird and its food. The scale must be reliable. This is <br />especially important when dealing with small birds, as they may be endangered by <br />even small differences when at flying weight. The successful hunting weight of the bird <br />may vary, usually increasing as the bird is flown and develops more muscle (which <br />weighs more than fat,) but there is a relatively narrow range which the falconer seeks. <br />Below that weight, the bird will be unnecessarily (and perhaps even dangerously) low <br />and weak. Above that range of weight, and the bird will be unresponsive in the field, <br />lacking in motivation to hunt or return to the falconer in timely fashion. <br />A European Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) landing on its falconer's hand, showing <br />the style of gauntlet typically used for falcons.Gauntlets or gloves are used by the <br />falconer to turn the arm into a suitable perching surface. Falconry gloves may only <br />cover the fist and wrist, while hawking guantlets extend to the elbow. An eagle glove <br />may cover the entire arm and a portion of the chest, or it may be a heavy sheath worn <br />over a standard hawking glove. The glove will have to be replaced with wear. <br />3 <br />