What does "to rake away" mean in the context of a flight?

In the context of falconry, "to rake away" refers specifically to the behavior where a bird of prey, such as a hawk, disengages from a stoop. A stoop is a high-speed dive that the hawk performs when it is hunting prey from the air. When a hawk "rakes away," it typically means that the bird has pulled out of its dive or aborted the attack before making contact with its target. This action can be crucial for the hawk as it may need to redirect or avoid an unfavorable situation during the chase.

The other options, while related to falconry, do not accurately define the term "to rake away." For instance, pulling out of a stoop directly addresses the behavior during a flight in pursuit of quarry, making it the most relevant choice in this scenario. Understanding this term is essential for falconers, as it highlights a key aspect of the bird's agility and decision-making during hunting.