PTARMIGAN 



161 



found, and instead of quickly dropping on to the quarry, 

 which is their usual habit when hunting for themselves, 

 he makes a sudden feint and gets his terrified victims on 

 the wing at once, after which he can always force two or 

 three birds in the required direction by keeping just 

 behind and below them. Although the Eagle, in point 



"HUNTED." 



of dexterity and swiftness, is but a clumsy performer in 

 the art of slaughter compared with the Peregrine and 

 other Falcons, yet he can generally effect his purpose l)y 

 keeping the quarry moving forward and preventing some 

 at least from takino; sudden downward headers into a 

 snowdrift or chasm, where they would undoubtedly escape. 

 Thus he keeps up with their low scurrying flight with 

 slow heavy flaps of his own wings till the point is at 



]\i 



