48 THE RETURN OF THE BIRDS. 



cicdis in pursuit. The contest is quite com- 

 ical, though I dare say it is serious enough 

 to the moth. The chase continues for a few 

 yards, when there is a sudden rushing to 

 cover in the grass, then a taking to wing 

 again, when the search has become too close, 

 and the moth has recovered his wind. So- 

 cialis chirps angrily, and is determined not 

 to be beaten. Keeping, with the slightest 

 effort, upon the heels of the fugitive, he is 

 ever on the point of halting to snap him up, 

 but never quite does it, and so, between 

 disappointment and expectation, is soon dis- 

 gusted, and returns to pursue his more legit- 

 imate means of subsistence. 



In striking contrast to this serio - comic 

 strife of the sparrow and the moth is the 

 pigeon-hawk's pursuit of the sparrow or the 

 goldfinch. It is a race of surprising speed 

 and agility. It is a test of wing and wind. 

 Every muscle is taxed, and every nerve 

 strained. Such cries of terror and conster- 

 nation on the part of the bird, tacking to 

 the right and left, and making the most des- 

 perate efforts to escape, and such silent de- 

 termination on the part of the hawk, press- 

 ing the bird so closely, flashing and turning 

 and timing his movements with those of the 



