SPIRIKES. 105; 



bow-net is fixed in the ground, so arranged as to be pulled 

 quickly over by means of a small piece of iron, made fast to 

 the net, and reaching to the hut ; the string by which the 

 pigeon is held passes through a hole in a piece of wood driven 

 into the ground, in the centre of a bow-net. The falconer 

 has also a decoy Pigeon, in a string, at a short distance from 

 the hut ; and several tame Pigeons at liberty on the outside, 

 which, on sight of a Hawk, immediately take shelter within. 

 The Butcher-bird is fastened by a leather thong on a hillock 

 of turf, a yard in height, and a few yards distant from the 

 hut ; a small hole is made, and a piece of turf laid over, for a 

 place of retreat in case of danger. 



The falconer has some quiet and sedentary employment in 

 hand, to occupy his time, which does not prevent his observing 

 every motion of this his little watch-bird ; and it is almost 

 incredible at how great a distance he will perceive a Hawk in 

 the air. If it comes near, he shows symptoms of alarm, 

 drawing in his feathers, and fixing his eyes in the same 

 direction : on its approaching still nearer, he screams aloud ; 

 the Hawk being then, perhaps, not less than three or four 

 hundred yards distant; on its closer approach, he retreats 

 under the turf, and quite conceals himself. It is then the 

 falconer draws out the Pigeons where the nets' are fixed, which, 

 fluttering round, generally tempt the Hawk to make a stoop 

 at one of them, which if he takes, he is inevitably ensnared. 

 While the Hawk is near, the Shrike continues in his hiding- 

 place, hardly daring to show his head at the entrance of his 

 retreat : should the Hawk be taken, or pass over without 

 touching the Pigeons, he cautiously creeps out, yet almost 

 afraid to trust himself on his hillock, looking on every side, 

 and does not for some time recover from his alarm. There 

 is one Hawk, the Goshawk, of which he is particularly afraid, 

 screaming louder than' ever, and making every attempt to 

 escape, as if aware that this Hawk will even seize him in his 

 hiding-place, should it catch sight of him, which the other 

 Hawks will not do. He, on the other hand, shows less alarm 

 at the sight of the Kite or Buzzard, unless very near indeed ; 

 so that, by the motion of the Butcher-bird, the falconer can 



