COMMON PETCHARY. 181 



to a lizard round tlie trunk of a small tree, flying 

 in circles with surprising activity. In beating any 

 large bird, both cock and hen (if both are in 

 the way,) join in the quarrel or scuffle."* In these 

 assaults, the intrepid Petchary does not ahuays 

 come off scathless. " And here," says Robinson 

 in speaking of the Red-tailed Buzzard, " I cannot 

 help recollecting an unhappy though deserved ill- 

 fate, which sometimes befals the large Logger- 

 head. Everybody is acquainted with the pugna- 

 cious nature of this little bird ; for he attacks and 

 buffets every large bird that happens to fall in his 

 way, snapping his beak and pursuing him with 

 great violence ; and among others this great Hawk 

 is often disturbed and beaten by him. 



'^ At Chestervale, in the cultivated ground, it 

 is common for this Hawk to perch upon the top 

 of some dry tree. This situation he chooses that 

 he may the better view the ground beneath, and 

 observe if a rat or other animal should make its 

 appearance. While he sits here upon the watch, 

 'tis ten to one but he is attacked by the Logger- 

 head, whom he suffers to buffet and beat him with 

 great patience, without offering to stir once from 

 his place ; till, his assailant being quite tired and 

 spent with the violence of his exercise, inadvertently 

 sits down on some twig not far distant from his 

 passive, and, as he may think, inoffensive enemy. 

 That enemy, however, now keeps his eye fixed 

 on him, and no sooner does he begin to preen 

 his feathers, or look carelessly about him, than 



* Robinson's MSS. ii. 102. 



