146 EXTRACTS FROM NOTE-BOOKS. CH. XXIX. 



for a short time the morning sun, shakes her 

 feathers once or twice, plumes her wings, and then 

 launching herself into the air, passes with straight 

 and direct flight to the most favourable hunting- 

 ground. Some unfortunate grouse or plover is soon 

 struck down. The first act of a falcon on striking 

 and catching a bird is, if any life remains, to dislo- 

 cate its neck ; and thus its pain is immediately over. 

 Oftener, however, the falcon strikes her chase while 

 in the air, killing it perfectly dead instantaneously. 

 Indeed all the long-winged hawks prefer striking 

 their prey in the air, seldom dashing with the same 

 confidence at a bird on the ground. Having well 

 filled her crop, the falcon flies back to some 

 favourite stone or projection of rock on the cliffs, 

 and there sits in a state of quiet satisfaction for 

 the rest of the day, perched in a situation where 

 no danger can approach her unperceived. 



There must be great enjoyment, too, in the flight 

 of the eagle and buzzard, as they soar and float for 

 hours together at a height that makes them appear 

 no bigger than a lark. The latter bird, too, seems 

 the very personification of happiness, as, uttering 

 its merry and sweet song, it mounts higher and 

 higher till lost to sight. 



But no birds seem to enjoy life more than water- 

 fowl ; floating without exertion in perfect security 



