HAWKING. 255 



and the largest game, including hares; but the most 

 esteemed and active on wing is the jer-falcon, distinguished 

 above the rest for its ferocity. Of the smaller kinds there 

 is the peregrine, which yearly builds in many of our 

 secluded glens and remote precipices. It is of this species 

 that I have most to say. An old blackcock or pheasant is 

 too strong for them, but they are able to bring down grouse 

 or young black-game. Of the hawk tribe there is the hen- 

 harrier, the male of which is blue, and the female, called 

 the ring-tail, brown the hobby,* the sparrow-hawk, and 

 the kestril ; the last-mentioned very numerous in some 

 of the islands of Loch Lomond. Nor must I omit the 

 smallest of the tribe, the merlin, not much larger than a 

 thrush, inferior to none in boldness and activity. We have 

 occasionally shot it in Dumbartonshire, and admired the 

 elegance of its diminutive form, which seemed, accord- 

 ing to its small proportions, a model of agility and 

 strength. 



As none of these hawks, when trained, are much worth 

 for game, one would think their depredations could not be 

 very formidable ; but, on the contrary, when at large, and 

 allowed their full sweep of hill and dale, they do much 

 mischief. I once put up a flock of teal which flew out 

 upon the loch ; a sparrow-hawk pursued, struck one scarcely 

 a foot from the surface, and, though hardly able to bear its 



* The hobby and merlin are entitled to be called falcons. They are 

 long-winged, and have all the attributes of courage and speed. The former 

 is only a summer visitant to the south of England ; the latter is resident, 

 and hatches yearly on our moors. 



