138 NATURE'S STORY OF THE YEAR 



doubly suggested when the dominant bird arrives 

 in contrast with less agile species when, say, we 

 have traversed a woodland, and noted the glut- 

 tonous wood-pigeon returning from a feast, swelled 

 and unwieldy ; the jay, with awkward flap of 

 wing ; the magpie, seemingly impeded by an 

 exaggerated tail ; when, after these have passed, 

 suddenly a bird shoots aloft from a storm- 

 scathed tree, and circles overhead, and strides, with 

 giant stroke of wing, into the nothingness of dis- 

 tance a falcon or a hobby; or, swings up to a 

 little height, and hovering here and there, is 

 revealed as a kestrel looking for his prey. This 

 hawk is not only beautiful, but is man's helper, 

 though the gamekeeper is ever ready to chronicle 

 his theft (not often committed) of a young bird 

 from the coop, and to take a full revenge with the 

 gun. The noxious field-mouse, the chafer, grass- 

 hoppers, and similar creatures, are his quest ; yet 

 when he sees a small bird in difficulties, the falcon 

 nature asserts itself, whereby the human bird- 

 catchers often take this swifter slayer in their 

 toils. They are no more merciful than the game- 

 keepers, confusing it with the sparrow-hawk. The 



