THE SPARROW-HAWK 169 



Princess (wild-caught female), 1895-96 (Nov. 1 1 to March 24) 

 — 39 blackbirds, i thrush. 



Of these the wild-caught Princess, though injured in the leg 

 by a trap, was very superior in her style. Ruby at the end of 

 the season flew very like a wild hawk. This Ruby was wonder- 

 fully fast and clever, and an excellent footer. The number of 

 blackbirds she killed stone dead by stoops out of trees was 

 astonishing. In size she did not exceed the average. Speak- 

 ing from an experience of a great many years, and with 

 an authority which everyone must acknowledge, Mr. Riley 

 declares that " no sport with a female goshawk can touch that 

 to be got with a good female sparrow-hawk." 



