MAGPIE-HAWKING. 213 



on in the air. The magpie is to be driven from its 

 retreat, and the hawk, if at a good pitch, will 

 stoop at him as he passes to another bush, from 

 whence he is to be driven in the same way, 

 another hawk having been previously cast off, so 

 that one or the other may always be so situated 

 as to attack him to advantage. The second 

 hawk is necessary, for the magpie shifts with 

 great cunning and dexterity to avoid the stoop ; 

 and when hard pressed, owing to the bushes 

 being rather far apart, will pass under the bellies 

 of the horses, flutter along the cart-ruts, and avail 

 himself of every little inequality of the ground in 

 order to escape. Four or five assistants, besides 

 the falconer, who should attend solely to his hawks, 

 are required for this sport. They should be well 

 mounted, and provided with whips, for the mag- 

 pie cannot be driven from a bush with a stick ; 

 but the crack of a whip will force him to leave it, 

 even when he is so tired as hardly to be able to fly. 

 The magpie will always endeavour to make his way 

 to some strong cover; care must, therefore, be taken 

 to counteract him, and to drive him to that part 

 of the ground where the bushes are farthest from 

 each other. It is not easy to take a magpie in a 

 hedge. Some of the horsemen must be on each 

 side of it ; some must ride behind and some before 

 him ; for unless compelled to rise by being sur- 

 rounded on all sides, he will flutter along the 



