BIRDS IN TRAINING 33 



takes its prey with a short sharp rush, if it 

 can. If it misses, it does not make another 

 attempt, but either gives up, if the prey 

 has flown off, or sits and waits for it if it has 

 hidden itself. So hunting with the goshawk 

 was not fine picturesque sport like that one 

 gets with the falcon. But, on the other hand, 

 there was no need of riding, or of keeping 

 to open country ; you could take a goshawk 

 anywhere, and, if the prey had not too long 

 a start, she would take almost any game, 

 being good for rabbits and hares as well as 

 birds. For this reason goshawks were much 

 used for practical purposes as well as sport, 

 and it was reckoned that a good bird would 

 keep her master as well as herself. This is 

 not surprising, for a strong hen goshawk can 

 even hold and kill a hare, although the animal 

 is several times bigger and heavier than 

 herself ; but if she is to take such large prey 

 she must not be allowed to do easier work, 

 such as catching rabbits. Goshawks were 

 always considered rather hard to manage, 

 for they easily turn sulky, and are so fierce 

 that they cannot be flown in couples, like 

 falcons. Indeed, if a goshawk manages to 



