HAWK NOTES 47 



falcon, buzzard, and marsh harrier hover 

 to find their prey. Their hovering may 

 be prolonged, or for an instant only. The 

 kestrel leans on the wind, the sparrowhawk 

 (I am referring to those that hunt in the 

 open) dashes down wind, swings up, poises, 

 then dashes down at his prey. The pere- 

 grine falcon hangs high above the cliff 

 slope or the inland fields. He and his mate, 

 hunting together, are like two black anchor- 

 heads. Even in a considerable wind they 

 are not disturbed. They remain fixed till 

 something is seen, and then they fall, head 

 first, swifter and swifter, plunging at an 

 enormous rate. If they are within three 

 hundred yards, and the day is still, you may 

 hear the hissing of the stoop. They strike 

 their victim and smash it, or miss altogether, 

 abandoning after three failed stoops. The 

 male usually follows the female should she 

 miss. 



Buzzards spanning nearly four feet 

 are the most graceful hoverers. They hang, 



