CATCHING A TARTAR. 41 



some ardent gunner might lie concealed. Not- 

 withstanding all his vigilance, however, one day, 

 when he was dozing on the borders of the ele- 

 vated pool above mentioned, a lark-shooter suc- 

 ceeded in approaching within a tolerable distance, 

 but being only prepared for " small fry " the dis- 

 charge of his gun was not sufficient to disable the 

 bird, which succeeded in making his escape. 



A fine example of the same species, but also in 

 imperfect plumage, was shot about four years ago 

 by a man in the employment of the superintend- 

 ent of Pevensey Levels. Being only winged, the 

 bird contrived to scramble into a corner formed 

 by two fences or low walls, where he took up his 

 position, and turning his face to his foes, like 

 Siccius Dentatus, he defended himself so reso- 

 lutely that he kept his persecutors at bay for a 

 length of time, one and all declining to come to 

 closer quarters with such a formidable antagonist. 

 Having tried in vain to turn his flank, an ally in 

 the form of a sheep-dog was called in, who com- 

 menced his attack in the most courageous manner, 

 little anticipating what a warm reception he was 

 about to meet with ; but he soon found that he 

 had " caught a Tartar ;" for he was nearly killed 

 by the eagle before his rescue was effected. His 

 attack, however, caused a diversion by withdraw- 

 ing the attention of the bird from his biped tor- 



