ANECDOTE. 171 



by the hind talons. The effect was instantaneously 

 fatal, and precisely such as might have been ex- 

 pected from the nature of the weapons that were 

 brought into play. The back of the woodcock 

 was completely ripped up, and the lower part of 

 its skull split open. 



Sometimes a woodcock would ' take the air,' 

 that is, endeavour to escape from its pursuer by 

 ascending to a great height in circular gyrations ; 

 and being a bird of considerable vigour and rapi- 

 dity of flight, it was, in the performance of this 

 manoeuvre, almost a match for the peregrine. 

 There is much danger of losing the falcon on such 

 occasions, for as soon as the woodcock has at- 

 tained a certain altitude, it will especially if 

 favoured by a fresh breeze strike off in a direct 

 line, and lead the hawk a distance of many miles. 

 Of this, Colonel Bonham mentioned a remark- 

 able instance, which is well worthy of being 

 recorded. 



When hawking for woodcocks in Rossmore 

 Park, in the County of Monaghan, Ireland, with 

 the Hon. R. Westenra, a woodcock, after a short 

 chace, 6 took the air,' closely pursued by the 

 falcon the property of the latter gentleman 

 who had her bells and ' varvels ' on, with the 

 name and address of the owner engraved upon 

 them. In a short time both birds had attained 



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