HAWKING. 141 



slipped the hoods from off the heads of the Falcons, 

 holding them to the fist by the bit of leather, till they 

 caught sight of the Heron, when the sport commenced 

 in earnest. 



For the moment they were let loose, off they went, 

 straight as arrows, towards the Heron, which by this time 

 had gone a considerable distance ahead. As they were 

 dashing away towards it, an unfortunate Crow happened 

 to cross their course, when one of them instantly darted 

 at him, but he contrived to escape by striking into a 

 plantation, where the Falcon followed, but did not take 

 him. The other Falcon soon overtook the Heron, which 

 began to prepare for the threatened attack, by disgorg- 

 ing its ballast, consisting of two or three fishes ; while 

 the Hawk, after flying round for a short time in circles, 

 at length soared above him, and then pouncing down- 

 wards, struck him on the back, when they both came 

 tumbling down together from a great height to the 

 ground. The other Falcon having lost some time in 

 chasing the Crow, was now flying with all speed to assist 

 her companion, and was coming up just as the first 

 Falcon and Heron were falling! At this instant, a Rook 

 happened to fly across, when the disappointed Falcon 

 struck at him, and they both fell together, within twenty 

 yards of the other Falcon and Heron. No sooner had 

 they reached the ground, than each of the Falcons began 

 to pull its victim to pieces ; but as soon as the falconers 

 could come up, the lures were thrown out, and the Fal- 

 cons were allowed to make a meal upon the Pigeons, 

 having been kept fasting for some hours before. 



The Pigeons were placed for them on the body of the 

 Heron ; and after they were satisfied, they were again 

 hooded and put up for the day. The next cast of Hawks 

 consisted of two younger birds ; and when let loose at 

 another Heron, they flew up to it very well. But the 

 Heron was an old one, and was supposed to have been 

 attacked before ; for the moment he saw his enemies 

 below, he began to soar into the air, and set up a loud 



