130 HAWKING. 



These nets were fixed in the neighbourhood of some nest, or 

 in situations known to be frequented by Falcons. As soon as 

 one of them happened to notice the lure fluttering on the 

 ground, after taking a few sweeps in the air, just over the spot, 

 as if to discover any hidden danger, he pounced down with 

 such violence and certainty, that the bait's head was taken 

 off as clean as if with a knife. The moment he had thus 

 despatched his supposed prey, he generally flew up again, 

 unless very hungry, to be reassured that there was no danger 

 near. Availing himself of this pause, the Falcon-catcher 

 pulled the string and dead bait to the other post, close under 

 the net, which the Falcon observing, on again pouncing down, 

 the other string was pulled, when the net fell over and secured 

 him. He was then taken out with the greatest care, for fear 

 of injuring any of his feathers, particularly those of the wings 

 and tail, and a hood placed on his head, and drawn over his 

 eyes. It is most likely in consequence of the persevering 

 pursuit and capture of them, that this fine breed of birds is 

 becoming exceedingly scarce in Iceland ; a late traveller, during 

 a visit of some months, not being fortunate enough to see one, 

 even at a distance. 



We may form some opinion of the rapidity with which 

 Falcons fly upon their prey, from the 

 singular manner in which the Merlin, a 

 small Falcon about the size of a Pigeon, is 

 often taken, or as often killed, in the Faroe 

 Islands, between Iceland and the north of 

 Scotland, where they are abundant, and 

 are considered as the tyrant of the smaller 

 birds. The Starlings are in such fear of 

 it, that, when pursued, they will take 

 The Merlin. shelter in a church, or a house, and often 



seek refuge in the presence of men. They often escape by 

 what is called a wind-house, a building made for drying meat 

 or fish, the sides of which consist of laths placed at a very 

 small distance from each other, just wide enough, however, to 

 admit the body of a Starling, through which, when pursued, 



