Birds of Prey. 1 5 



coasts and barren rocks in which the latter delights. 

 It was generally used to fly at larks, quails, and snipes, 

 and is sometimes taken by bird-catchers to assist them 

 in catching skylarks, but its predilection for insects will 

 sometimes cause it, even when trained, to turn aside 

 from its quarry after a beetle or cockchafer. In cap- 

 tivity it should be fed on small birds, or on very fresh 

 beef cut into small pieces. It is easily tamed and 

 gentle in temper, though so daring in pursuit of its 

 game, that it has been known to dash through the 

 open window of a room at a bird confined in a cage 

 in it. 



Though larger than the Ger-Falcon, the GOSHAWK 

 (Ast^lr palumbarius) is not nearly so powerful or 

 swift-winged, and is used more for hares and rabbits 

 than for winged game. The Chinese, however, make 

 use of it chiefly to fly against quails, of which they 

 will often take twenty .brace in a day. It steals upon 

 its prey instead of dashing boldly at it, and will not 

 follow it into covert as the Peregrine and Merlin do, 

 but waits for its coming out. It has a fierce temper, 

 and is less to be trusted at liberty than other Falcons, 

 whom it would attack and kill if it escaped from its 

 jesses. 



The little SPARROW HAWK (Accipiter Nisus) is a 

 very bold audacious little fellow, and will fly at any 

 bird, whatever its size may be, in the most reckless 

 manner. It is of a quarrelsome disposition, and if put 



