AND NEIGHBOURHOOD. 11 



Hawk, which breeds with us, and has to supply the 

 needs of four or five ravenous young just at the 

 season when young Partridges and Pheasants offer 

 an easy and tempting prey. But even allowing the 

 game-destroying instincts of the present species, I 

 would not on any account allow one of these really 

 noble birds to be destroyed on my own property. 



The proceedings of the Falcon are open and 

 straightforward : as a rule she comes from the clouds 



D 



like an arrow upon her prey, with a speed quite 

 undescribable and incredible to those who have not 

 witnessed it. The higher she is in the air the more 

 certain her stoop, and the quarry is killed, if not at 

 the first blow, as soon as her captor has recovered 

 her breath ; whereas the Sparrow-Hawk will begin 

 to pluck and devour its victim whilst still alive and 

 struggling. 



Besides the above claim to protection from man, 

 we should remember that the Falcon was our 

 ancestors' principal sporting ally, and is surrounded 

 by a halo of traditional associations which should 

 entitle her to all respect. All this, however, has 

 been urged so often by more able pens than mine, 

 that I will not here continue my plea for my favourite 

 bird, but refer my readers especially to that most 

 excellent work ' Falconry, its Claims, History, and 

 Practice,' by Messrs. Freeman and Salvin (London, 

 1859). 



In a wooded and enclosed district such as ours 

 falconry is, though not quite impracticable as I have 

 personally proved, yet subject to so many obstacles 

 and difficulties that few persons would care to attempt 

 it ; I am, however, glad to say that it is still carried 

 on in various parts of England, Scotland, and Ireland 



