54 BRITISH LAND BIRDS. 



called in the north of England, gleads, from the 

 Saxon verb glidan, to glide. The kestrel, or 

 windhover, has a peculiar mode of hanging in the 

 air in one place, his wings all the while being 

 briskly agitated. Hen-harriers fly low over heaths 

 or fields of corn, and beat the ground regularly, 

 like a pointer, or setting-dog. Owls move in a 

 buoyant manner, as if lighter than the air; they 

 seem to want ballast." 



The author adds, " there is a peculiarity belong- 

 ing to ravens that must draw the attention even 

 of the most incurious ; (we have not many oppor- 

 tunities now-a-days of observing them;) they 

 spend all their leisure-time in striking and miffing 

 each other on the wing, in a kind of playful 

 skirmish ; and when they move from one place to 

 another, frequently turn on their backs with a 

 loud crack, and seem to be falling to the ground. 

 When this odd gesture betides them, they are 

 scratching themselves with one foot, and thus lose 

 the centre of gravity." 



The eagle's cry is sharp and loud, and so power- 

 ful, that it can be heard from afar. Destined for 

 war and plunder, it is fierce, bold, and indomit- 

 able. It is also believed to be long-lived. One 

 that died at Vienna, was reported to have lived in 

 confinement a hundred and four years. 



The attachment of the eagle to his mate is 



