MERLIN GOSHAWK. 175 



and these qualifications, assisted by the keen sense of hunger 

 felt by all animals of prey, render their taming and education 

 far more easy than would at first be supposed. 



Next to the peregrine the merlin is the best hawk to train, 

 being equally bold and fearless ; and, although of so small a 

 size, has courage enough to dash fearlessly when launched 

 from the hand at whatever bird it may see on wing. A 

 merlin belonging to a friend of mine would fiercely assail a 

 blackcock. This hawk, too, is so beautiful and so finely 

 formed, that a prettier pet cannot be found ; and when once 

 a hawk is accustomed to the hood, the trouble of keeping her 

 is very little. 



The goshawk, although a fine handsome bird, has not the 

 speed of any of the long-winged hawks, but she Hies well at 

 rabbits. I am told that the instantaneous manner in which 

 this hawk kills a rabbit, by breaking its skull at a single 

 blow, can only be understood by those who have seen it. 



But I am wandering into a subject of which I know too 

 little from personal experience to render my remarks of any 

 value ; and will only recommend those of my readers who 

 possess time and energy to procure a peregrine falcon in good 

 health and perfect plumage (the latter point is most 

 important), and then, with some treatise on hawking in one 

 hand, try if he cannot soon train the hawk which sits hooded 

 on his other. With a fair share of temper, patience, and 

 careful observation, he will be sure to succeed. 



The goshawk is the most rare kind in this country. The 

 only place where I know of its breeding regularly is the 

 forest of Darnaway ; but I am told that they also breed in 

 the large fir woods near the Spey. The bright piercing eye 

 of the goshawk has a peculiarly savage and cruel expression, 

 without the fine bold open look of the peregrine. At this 

 season that singular hawk, the osprey, is sometimes seen 

 soaring, with its kestrel-like flight, along the course of the 

 river. I occasionally see one hovering over the lower pools ; 

 but, in general, this bird is seen only in transitu from one 

 side of the country to the other. The golden eagle, too, 

 passes on his way at this season from north to south, 

 frequently attended by a rabble rout of grey crows, who, 

 when they have pursued the kingly bird for a certain 

 distance, give up the chase, which is immediately taken up 

 by a fresh band, who in their turn pass him over to new 

 assailants. It would appear that each set follows him as 



