PARTRIDGE HAW KING. 303 



afifords much cover to the magpie, by his skilful 

 manoeuvres he now and then saves his life, and it has 

 been known, that, shy and cautious as this bird is on most 

 occasions, he will, when in extreme danger, seek for pro- 

 tection among the men and horses, or he wall sneak into 

 any nook or corner. Sir John Sebright enters into an 

 animated detail of this sport, which he considers superior 

 to every other kind of hawking. 



PaRTEIDGE HAWKI^-G. 



Hawking of partridges is more common than that of 

 pheasants. As pheasants are chiefly found in woods, and 

 a variety of other covers, there is much more difficulty 

 in flying the hawks at this quarry with success. In par- 

 tridge hawking both long and short-winged hawks are 

 made use of, and where this sport is practised, large 

 fields are usually the places resorted to, where those 

 persons mounted and on foot are enabled to beat in line, 

 where the falconer or master being well mounted, can 

 ride forward and be in readiness to receive the quarr}-. 

 Either pointers or spaniels may be made use of to find 

 the game. Sir John Sebright is of opinion that high 

 ranging pointers are the best dogs for the sport, 

 for the birds will often lie closer to dogs, especially 

 spaniels, when they will not allow horsemen to approach 

 them. Neither, when the hawk is well trained, is it ne- 

 cessary that they should be close to the dogs when they 

 point, or near birds when they take wing; and he further 

 observes, that if the hawk be within two or three hun- 

 dred yards it will be near enough, if her soar be high 

 and directs her view inwards. If she should not do this, 

 she must be lured by the voice. It is, however, remarked, 

 that it is better a flight be lost by the hawk ranging too 



