The Sparrow-hawk. vill 
hunting its prey; while the sharp-winged, and 
consequently fast-flying Merlin is bolder in its 
tactics, hunting its prey in the open field, and 
seemingly delighting to chase and overcome the 
fastest flying birds. 
There are many ways of obtaining hawks, but 
perhaps “ hawk calling” is the most effective. The 
call is made of two pieces of hard wood fitted 
together, with a strip of thin birch bark between them. 
When this little instrument is properly blown, it 
gives forth a sound very much like the ery of a 
buzzard, which seems to attract hawks of all kinds. 
Rising early, we have often gone to some small 
hollow, and covering it with green boughs, have 
crept underneath with our gun and call. Although 
there was not a hawk in sight for miles around, yet 
within five or ten minutes of our first call we catch 
sight of one skimming by. Crouching motionless 
we call again, and soon see the hawk alight on 
a neighbouring tree. It is too far off for a shot, 
So we wait patiently and give another cry. Others 
now appear, and it is not long before several have 
fallen to our gun. But if we accidentally make 
a false note or call, or incautiously raise our head 
above the boughs, the hawks immediately detect 
the trap and take to flight, not to be seen in the 
same spot again that day. 
