THE QUAIL-HAWK 159 



The quail-hawk, when in pursuit of its prey, is courageous and 

 persevering. It has made a bad reputation for itself as a daring 

 marauder. It will swoop down on a farmyard, strike a fowl, and 

 cling to it until knocked over with a stick. It seems to be quite 

 insensible to danger, darting into houses, and following its prey 

 into inner rooms. This bold mountaineer specially delights in 

 capturing domestic pigeons, which afford a tasty meal. Having 

 secured its prey, it takes it to a sheltered spot, plucl^ it rather 

 carefully, and devours it at once. 



Mr. Potts has given a vivid account of how the hawk pursues 

 a victim it has selected for a meal. ' ' In one of the bays of Banks 

 Peninsula," he says, "a range of hills, curved in outline, stands 

 back some distance from the sea. On the steep rocky crags 

 above, the falcons once had their eyrie. Often the locality was 

 visited by them years after the old breeding-place had been 

 deserted. ]\Iany a time when the quail-hawk has dashed across 

 the peaceful bay in its swift career, I have watched its course 

 with the utmost interest. I have noticed that, when the pigeons 

 were alarmed at the shrill garring screams of the falcon, they 

 swept round the bay at a great height. Soon a tlock seemed 

 fluttered. The falcon is amongst them ; birds dart from the rest 

 of the flight; presently a victim is singled out, and cut off from 

 the remainder of the bewildered birds. 



' ' Then ensues a contest for the upper air, pursuer and pursued 

 striving for the advantage of being uppermost. Soon the stronger 

 muscles and the superior tactics of the falcon obtain the mastery. 

 The pigeon needs all its speed and skill to avoid the fierce strokes 

 of the sharp, hooked talons ; adroitly he eludes one or two strokes, 

 then seeks for safety in an onward flight. This trial of speed 

 often results in the escape of the pigeon. Its swift pinions make 

 it almost a fair match for the hawk. When nearly exhausted, 

 the pigeon avails itself of any covert to drop out of sight of its 

 relentless enem3^ In the fierce rush of wings, the falcon, with 

 wonderful dexterity, surmounts opposing obstacles, such as 

 buildings, against which one feels it must surely destroy itself, 

 taking them with an easy bound. If his quarry lies perdu, he hies 

 him off to a fresh venture. On several occasions our pigeons have 



