[64 SHRIKES. 



peculiarities. The falcon-catchers generally make their pre- 

 parations in October and November, when the Hawks are on 

 their passage towards the southern parts of Europe. The 

 falconer constructs a low turf hut, in an open part of the 

 country, with a small opening on one side ; at about a hundred 

 yards' distance from the hut, a light-coloured Pigeon is 

 placed in a hole in the ground, covered with turf, with a string 

 attached to it, which reaches to the hut ; another Pigeon is 

 placed in a similar situation on the opposite side, at the same 

 distance. At ten yards' distance from each Pigeon, a small 

 bow-net is fixed in the ground, so arranged as to be pulled 

 quickly over by means of a small piece of iron, made fast to 

 the net, and reaching to the hut ; the string by which the 

 Pigeon is held passes through a hole in a piece of wood driven 

 into the ground, in the centre of a bow-net. The falconer 

 has also a decoy Pigeon, in a string, at a short distance from 

 the hut ; and several tame Pigeons at liberty on the outside, 

 which, on sight of a Hawk, immediately take shelter within. 

 The Butcher-bird is fastened by a leather thong on a hillock 

 of turf, a yard in height, and a few yards distant from the 

 hut ; a small hole is made, and a piece of turf laid over, for 

 a place of retreat in case of danger. 



The falconer has some quiet and sedentary employment in 

 hand, to occupy his time, which does not prevent his observ- 

 ing every motion of this his little watch-bird ; and it is almost 

 incredible at how great a distance he will perceive a Hawk in 

 the air. If it comes near, he shows symptoms of alarm, — 

 drawing in his feathers, and fixing his eyes in the same direc- 

 tion : on its approaching still nearer, he screams aloud ; the 

 Hawk being then, perhaps, not less than three or four hundred 

 yards distant ; on its closer approach, he retreats under the 

 turf, and quite conceals himself. It is then the falconer draws 

 out the Pigeons where the nets are fixed, which fluttering round, 

 generally tempt the Hawk to make a stoop at one of them, 

 which if he takes, he is inevitably ensnared. While the 

 Hawk is near, the Shrike continues in his hiding-place, hardly 

 daring to show his head at the entrance of his retreat ; should 



