ipo THE PLOUGHING 



Rook advanced to cuff it with its wing, gave way, 

 gliding forward and upward. The Rook pursuing, 

 there ensued a contest at close quarters for the 

 higher position, the Rook seeking it in order to fall 

 upon the hawk, the latter in order to avoid attack. 

 Forced to remain stationary, the Rook hung with 

 hovering wings and tail expanded and depressed, 

 exactly imitating the motions of a hovering Kestrel. 

 Only once the Kestrel stiffened in opposition to the 

 descending Rook, cuffing it with an upward stroke 

 of its wing, but it was borne from its place by its 

 heavier adversary. In the end the Rook desisted, 

 and circling out went off " Pr-r"-ing to himself in 

 evident satisfaction. 



It seems to be the habit of some who have written 

 upon the habits of the Kestrel to repeat that it 

 " appears" occasionally to attack smaller birds. It is 

 much to be desired that each observer would state 

 exactly his own experiences in this matter what 

 birds he personally has seen the Kestrel strike, 

 when, where, and under what circumstances. Only 

 thus can the truth be established. 



The Kestrel is not our only " feathered cat." 

 For, anyone reclining on the river embankment in 

 the twilight, at times becomes suddenly aware that 

 "something" has passed over him, and if it go west, 

 the form of the Barn-owl is thrown up black against 

 the still lighted sky as it swings from side to 

 side quartering the embankment with a buoyant, 

 chopping, bat-like flight. One bird has its quarters 

 in the roof of a house shadowed by the church whose 

 spire rises above the trees a few fields removed, and 

 I observe that in the trees immediately below the 



