2o0 ACCI PITER NISUS. 



derable distance. It is to be observed, however, that 

 all small birds do not fly after hawks. Thus, I have 

 never seen thrushes, blackbirds, wagtails, or wrens, pur- 

 suing- a kestrel or sparrow hawk; nor do partridges 

 fly after a goss hawk, nor grouse after a peregrine fal- 

 con. The feaser (Lestris) is sure to be attacked by 

 terns when he appears among them ; but I believe the 

 common gull, the kittiwake, or the black- headed gull, 

 seldom if ever molest him. Eagles are frequently as- 

 sailed by ravens and skuas, but never by hooded crows, 

 nor indeed by any other bird whatever, excepting the 

 goss hawk, the peregrine, and some other hawks, when 

 they happen to pass near their nests. Again, small birds 

 often attack the cuckoo, wliich, although he may look like 

 a hawk, is quite innocent ; and should they meet with an 

 owl in broad day, they neither scruple nor fear to re- 

 proach him. These are facts which most people have 

 observed ; but the explanation of them seems not very 

 easy. The prevalent idea is this : — small birds being 

 the natural prey of hawks, the former bear, and with 

 good reason, a grudge against the latter ; when a hawk 

 is observed wending his solitary way over the fields, 

 they call to each other, and collecting in a band, assume 

 a certain degree of courage, which, combining with 

 their hatred towards the marauder, impels them to pur- 

 sue and to harass him. Attack him they dare not, 

 for they are conscious of their inability to injure him ; 

 they therefore hover about him, venting their spite in 

 loud execrations ; and as some fly over and others un- 

 der him, some to the right, and others to the left, the 

 hawk is distracted so as to be unable to single out an 

 individual. The small birds know this, and continue 



