What does 'to take down' signify in the context of falconry?

In the context of falconry, 'to take down' specifically refers to the act of bringing a longwing, such as a falcon, back to the lure. This term captures the precise moment when a falcon is retrained to engage with the lure, which is an essential tool used by falconers to call back their birds for training and retrieval. The lure typically represents a reward for the bird, encouraging it to return after a flight.

Understanding this concept is fundamental for successfully practicing falconry, as it involves not just the physical act of recalling the hawk but also relies on trained behavior responses that reinforce the relationship between the falconer and the bird. The other options—summoning the hawk, preparing for flight, or training the hawk—do not accurately describe this specific action and therefore do not convey the focused meaning inherent in the term 'to take down.'