HAWKING. 133 



the Falcon observing, on again pouncing down, the other 

 string was pulled, when the net fell over and secured him. 

 He was then taken out with the greatest care, for fear of 

 injuring any of his feathers, particularly those of the wings 

 and tail, and a hood placed on his head, and drawn over his 

 eyes. It is most likely in consequence of the persevering 

 pursuit and capture of them, that this fine breed of birds 

 is becoming exceedingly scarce in Iceland ; a late traveller, 

 during a visit of some months, not being fortunate enough 

 to see one, even at a distance. 



We may form some opinion of the rapidity with which 

 Hawks fly upon their prey, from the singular manner in 

 which the Lanner, a small Hawk about the size of a Pigeon 

 (Falco lanarius), is often taken, or as often killed, in the 

 Feroe Islands, between Iceland and the north of Scotland, 

 where they are abundant, and are considered as the tyrant 

 of the smaller birds. The Starlings are in such fear of it, 

 that, when pursued, they will take shelter in a church, or a 

 house, and often seek refuge in the presence of men. They 

 often escape by what is called a wind-house, a building made 

 for drying meat or fish, the sides of which consist of laths 

 placed at a very small distance from each other, just wide 

 enough, however, to admit the body of a Starling, through 

 which, when pursued, the frightened bird contrives to slip, 

 leaving the Lanner, eagerly following close behind, jammed 

 quite fast between them. 



There is a Hawk called the Ringtail, or Goshawk (Falco 

 palumbarius), now rare in England, though formerly plen- 

 tiful, and much valued for hawking, which committed sad 

 devastation amongst Partridges. Its mode of hunting was 

 to beat a field, and when a covey was sprung to fly after 

 them, and observe where they settled ; for as it was not a 

 fast flyer, the Partridges could outstrip it in speed : it then 

 sprung the covey again, and after a few times the Partridges 

 became so wearied that the Hawk generally succeeded in 

 securing as many as it pleased. To catch it, a trap or two 

 was set in its regular beat, baited with a small rabbit, or the 

 stuffed skin of one ; but a surer bait, particularly in open, 



