384 MISCELLANY. 



of a thick hedge, and appeared in the greatest tribulation when we approached, 

 uttering a shrill cry, and ceaselessly performing the curious motion of the wing 

 noticed ahove. After a considerable time a newly-fledged Whin Chat — doubt- 

 less the offspring of the other — made its appearance, and, therefore, unless the 

 parent had a second nest in hand, we are unable to account for the extreme 

 anxiety it testified during our stay near the sput. — Ed. 



Hawking with the Hock Gossak (Aetur palumbariut). — Inferior in power to 

 the Falcons, though equal in size to the largest of them, the Goshawk is yet the 

 best of the short-winged Hawks ; 1 tut its habits, as well as its mode of flying at 

 its game, are very different ; it does not stoop to its prey, like the Falcons, but 

 glides along in a line after it, and takes it by a mode which, in the language of 

 falconry, is called raking. The Goshawk was formerly in esteem among falconers, 

 and was flown at Hares, Rabbits, Grouse, and Partridges. It flies fast for a 

 short distance, may be used in an enclosed country, and will even dash through 

 woods after its prey; but if it docs not catch the object, it soon gives up the 

 pursuit, and perching on a bough, waits till some new game presents itself. 

 This habit of taking to a branch of a tree and waiting is particularly alluded to 

 by Colonel Thornton, formerly of Thornville Royal, who was devoted to hawk- 

 ing, and who, in reference to the Goshawk, says, " If its game takes refuge, 

 there it waits patiently on a tree, or a stone, until the game, pressed by hunger, 

 is induced to move; and as the Hawk is capable of greater abstinence, it 

 generally succeeds in talcing it. I flew a Goshawk," says the Colonel, " at a 

 Pheasant ; but it got into cover, and we lost the Hawk : at ten o'clock next 

 morning the falconer found her, and just as he had lifted her the Pheasant ran 

 and rose." 



As the flight of the Goshav.dc is low, and it takes its prey near the ground, 

 the females were flown at Hares and Rabbits; the males, which are much 

 smaller, were flown at Partridges. — Yarrell's British Birds, p. 5G — U. 



Instinct of Animals. — Instinct is not an unerring guide to animals. An 

 interesting paper might be written on the mistakes into which they are lial >le to 

 fall. The following examples may lead to the mention of others by those 

 naturalists who pry into the habits of animals, and accurately observe their 

 resources. Even the wonderfully-gifted Bee falls into error occasionally. I have 

 freemen tly observed Bees hover about and for a moment settle upon the coloured 

 leaves of the red and purple Clary, and in an instant after turn away suddenly, 

 as if vexed and disappointed, and settle upon the flowers below. A lady who 

 had on an elegantly-flowered challis dress once visiting my hives, was immedi- 

 ately surrounded by the Beet, and man}' of them settled upon the flowers (Pinks) 

 which were so exquisitely depicted upon her dress. — EL, Doncaster, Sej>t. G, 1837. 



The Hobby Falcon (Falco subbuleo) near Scarborough. — This bird is 



