76 BRITISH LAND BIRDS. 



friendship for a cat frequenting the same premises, 

 which the latter reciprocated, and was seen to 

 bring a live mouse, and put it down before her 

 friend the kestrel, who immediately attacked and 

 devoured it ; puss in the meantime sitting by, at 

 a short distance, complacently watching the enjoy- 

 ment of her ally. 



The tribe of HAWKS is distinguished from the 

 falcons by the difference in the bill, which, 

 though strong and curved, is destitute of the 

 sharp tooth so remarkable in that division, and 

 also by the short and rounded form of the wing, 

 which reaches only half-way down the tail. 

 There are two British species, the goshawk and 

 the sparrow-hawk. 



The GOSHAWK, equal in size to the largest of 

 the falcons is inferior in powers to them, and its 

 habits and mode of flying at its game, are very 

 different. It does not stoop at its prey, like the 

 falcons, but glides along in a line after it, a mode 

 which, in the language of falconry, is called raking 

 The goshawk was formerly in esteem among 

 falconers, being, though naturally very wild, not 

 difficult to train. It has the habit, when it fails 

 in catching its prey, of perching on a bough, and 

 watching till some new game presents itself. It 

 will remain patiently if the object of its pursuit 



