270 EEMINISCEXCES OF A SPOETSMAK 



even if the falcon sees bim, lie lias no mistrust, being at 

 sucb a distance." 



The short winged hawks, as the goshawk, buzzard, 

 and sparrow-hawks, are netted, according to Sir John 

 Sebright, after the following manner : — A net eight feet 

 depth, and of sufficient length to enclose a square of 

 nine feet, is suspended by means of upright stakes, into 

 which transverse notches are made, and on which notches 

 the meshes of the net are loosely placed ; so that as soon 

 as the hawk strikes against it, the net readily disengages 

 itself and falls. The enclosure is of course open above, 

 and within, a living bird, a pigeon usually, is fastened as 

 a Im-e. It is likewise necessary that the net should assi- 

 milate as much as possible with the surrounding objects ; 

 by this process the larger falcons also, when hungry, are 

 occasionally taken, though the occurrence is rare ; but 

 in taking the common hawk, the merlin^ and the hobby, 

 the square net is effectively employed. The call-birds 

 or baits are varied, according as the one variety or other 

 of the hawk is sought for. The shrike we have already 

 stated to be used as an aide-de-camp to the capture of 

 the long winged hawks, and would be equally so in cap- 

 turing the short winged hawks. 



Owling is also another method of bringing falcons to 

 the net. Any owl may be employed for the purpose, 

 but Griffith informs us that the great horned owl is the 

 usual bait, and is made use of in the following manner : 

 " The owl confined between two wooden stands or rests, 

 is taught to fly from one rest to the other without 

 touching the ground ; between the rests a cord is tightly 

 stretched, on which a ring plays, and to which a slacker 

 cord is attached by one end, the other being fastened to 

 the jesses on the legs of the owl, whose movements are 



