94 WILD SPORTS OF THE HIGHLANDS. [CHAP. xi. 



He very soon became quite tame, and came on being called to 

 receive his food, which consisted of birds, mice, &c. So fearless 

 was he, that he flew instantly at the largest kind of sea-gull or 

 crow that we gave him. When hungry, and no other food was 

 at hand, he would attend the gardener when digging, and swallow 

 the large earthworms as they were turned up. To my great 

 regret, we found the little bird lying dead under the tree in 

 which he usually roosted ; and though I examined him carefully, 

 I could not find out the cause of his death. 



Although all these small hawks which frequent this country 

 destroy a certain quantity of game, their principal food consists 

 of thrushes, blackbirds, and other small birds. In the winter, 

 when the greenfinches collect in large flocks on the stubble fields, 

 I have frequently seen the merlin or sparrowhawk suddenly glide 

 round the angle of some hedgerow or plantation, and taking up a 

 bird from the middle of the flock, carry it off almost before his 

 presence is observed by the rest of the greenfinches. 



Sometimes two merlins hunt together, and, as it were, course 

 a lark, or even swallow, in the air, the two hawks assisting each 

 other in the most systematic manner. First one hawk chases 

 the unfortunate bird for a short time, while his companion hovers 

 quietly at hand ; in a minute or so, the latter relieves his fellow- 

 hunter, who in his turn rests. In this way they soon tire out the 

 lark or swallow ; and catching the poor bird in mid-air, one of 

 the hawks flies away with him, leaving his companion to hunt 

 alone till his return from feeding their young brood. 



The hobby, a beautiful little hawk, like a miniature peregrine 

 falcon, is not very common here, though I have occasionally 

 killed it. This kind of hawk leaves us before the winter. I have 

 seen its nest in a fir or larch tree ; but they seem to be very rare 

 here. A strong courageous bird, the hobby attacks and preys 

 on pigeons and partridges, though so much larger than himself. 



Since the introduction of English traps and keepers, all birds 

 of prey are gradually decreasing in this country, whilst blackbirds, 

 thrushes, and other singing birds increase most rapidly. In the 

 highland districts of Moray, where a few years back a blackbird 

 or thrush was rather a rare bird, owing to the skill and perse- 

 verance of gamekeepers and vermin-trappers in exterminating 

 their enemies, they now abound, devastating our fruit-gardens, 



