SCIKXCE OF Tin: WILDSj rOETKY OF SPOKT. 18o 



a liawk, and thus tlicy snare thorn with a horse- 

 hair noose for the gourmands of Brighton, or any 

 other neighbouring town. 



What can be more curious than the knowledge 

 which wild fowl, teal, and ducks sliow of a mere 

 speck approaching from the distant horizon ? Be- 

 " fore the eye of man has power to ascertain the 

 nature of the approaching bird, tlie wi-ld fowl are 

 well aware of tlie foe and his predatory habits. 

 They at once distinguish, when not a hue of 

 feather can be seen, between the falcon and the 

 kite or buzzard-hawk, and act accordingly to their 

 never-failing perception. If it is a falcon that is 

 approaching, they sit still on the Avater, or creep 

 beneath the banks or overhanging willows, because 

 they know the noble falcon will seldom ^^take" 

 but on wing. If it is a buzzard or kite, they 

 take to their own wings, because they know, from 

 the slow flight of the for, as well as from his 

 inclination to '^pick up," that the use of their 

 swifter wings gives them the best chance for safety. 

 Even the flocks of starlings which roost in my 

 laurels around the house, to the great detriment 

 of shrubs and the annoyance of pheasants, afford 

 me a lesson j for by tlicir bearing and flight I know 



