1 24 The Gamekeeper at Home. 



prey. I have seen a partridge dashed to the ground, 

 get up again, and escape. The bird was flying close 

 to the ground when struck ; the hawk alighted on 

 the grass a few yards further in a confused way as 

 if overbalanced, and before he could reach the part- 

 ridge the latter was up and found shelter in a thick 

 hedge. 



The power to hover or remain suspended in one 

 place in the air does not. as some have supposed, 

 depend upon the assistance of the wind, against which 

 the hawk inclines the plane of his wings like an arti- 

 ficial kite. He can accomplish the feat when the air 

 is quite still and no wind stirring. Nor is he the only 

 bird capable of doing this, although the others possess 

 the power in a much less degree. The common lark 

 sometimes hovers for a few moments low down over 

 the young green corn, as if considering upon what 

 spot to alight. The flycatcher contrives to suspend 

 itself momentarily, but it is by a rapid motion of the 

 wings, and is done when the first snap at the insect 

 has failed. It is the rook that hovers by the assis- 

 tance of the wind as he rises with his broad, flat wings 

 over a hedge and meets its full force, which counter- 

 poises his onward impetus and sustains him station- 

 ary, sometimes compelling him to return with the 

 current. 



