Birds of Prey. 13 



be administered with raw meat, for the reason given 

 above. However, the foster-mother was rewarded for 

 her self-denying kindness and care by the well-doing 

 and growth into full strength and beauty of her trouble- 

 some pets. When they got the full use of their wings 

 they used to fly away for some hours, but always re- 

 turned morning and evening at the sound of a long 

 whistle, and came regularly to be fed. When their 

 mistress was out on her pony with her dogs, they 

 would soar after her, wheeling abo/ut in the air, and 

 swooping down upon the dogs, whom they seemed to 

 delight in tormenting, hunting them about, striking 

 their claws into their backs, and screaming into their 

 ears. By degrees they absented themselves more and 

 more, and the male bird disappeared altogether. The 

 female remained longer, and returned from time to 

 time for food, but at last she too was tempted away, 

 and probably found a mate, and fell into the ordinary 

 routine of buzzard life with her kind. 



Though superior to the COMMON BUZZARD (Buteo 

 vulgaris), the Moor Buzzard does not possess the true 

 Falcon character, and was considered an ignoble Hawk. 

 The MERLIN and HOBBY (Falco czsalon and Falco sub- 

 buted) are true Falcons, and though but small birds, 

 possess great courage and are of rapid flight. The 

 Merlin was considered a very excellent bird for hawk- 

 ing, and was much used to fly at partridges and other 

 small birds. It is easily tamed and exceedingly docile. 



