CHAPTER X 



Gulls, Heron, Kite, Duck, etc. 



THE flight at gulls is so similar to that at rooks, although 

 much more difficult, that I should be tempted to say no 

 more concerning it, were it not that I have been favoured by Mr. 

 St. Quintin, who is the great authority on the subject, with some 

 most interesting details of this sport. There can be no doubt, 

 I think, that of all flights in which peregrines can now be flown 

 out of the hood in England, gull-hawking is the best. It re- 

 quires a cast of hawks ; and these must be of special excellence, 

 and in the height of condition, if any success is hoped for. 

 Tiercels may be used as well as falcons ; eyesses as well as 

 passagers ; but of course the probabilities of success are less 

 with the smaller and less-experienced hawks. In the case of 

 the herring-gull, indeed, the quarry falls so heavily, when taken, 

 that a small hawk is apt to be badly shaken, and may thus 

 become disgusted with the whole business. 



Of the three kinds of gull, the largest, the herring-gull, is 

 also the least difficult to take. He makes something of a fight 

 of it on the ground when taken, and can, of course, bite hard if 

 the hawk gives him a chance. Next to him in order of diffi- 

 culty comes the common gull ; and last in order is the black- 

 headed gull, which will hardly be vanquished except by a cast 

 of very first-rate hawks, and then on a calm day. All gulls 

 have a great advantage when the wind is high, and usually 

 escape, so that it is best not to fly them at such times, for fear 

 of discouraging the hawk. Peregrines must be entered at 

 bagged gulls, and fed after a kill on pigeon, or some very 

 palatable food. It is also very advisable to use a make-hawk 

 when available. On a very still day it is possible that a single 

 hawk in good practice might take a common gull at the first 

 stoop, if she had a good start ; but if that failed, the quarry 

 would most likely escape. 



