BOOK X.] History of Nature. '195 



Island of Africa called Cerne, in which all the Hawks of 

 Massesylige build their Nests on the Ground : and being 

 accustomed to those Nations, they do not breed elsewhere. 

 In a Part of Thracia beyond Ainphipolis, Men and Hawks 1 

 catch Birds together, in a sort of Fellowship ; for the Men 

 drive the Birds from the Woods and Reeds, and the Hawks, 

 flying over their Heads, bear them to the Ground. On the 

 other Side the Hawkers divide the Prey with the Hawks : 

 and by Report they let some Birds fly again aloft into the 

 Air, for the Hawks to catch for themselves. When the Time 

 of Hawking arrives, they will by their Cry and Manner of 

 Flying together invite them to take the Opportunity. It is 

 said that Lupi (Bass) do the like, about the Lake Mceotis : 

 for unless they have their Part with the Fishermen, they 

 tear their Nets when they are stretched forth. Hawks do 

 not eat the Heart of any Bird. The Night-Hawk is called 

 Cymindis : it is seldom seen in the Woods, and by Daylight 

 seeth little. There is deadly War between it and the Eagle ; 

 and often they are both taken, by holding fast one with the 

 other. 



CHAPTER IX. 



Of the Coccyx, which usually is killed by Birds of its own 



Kind. 



THE Cuckoo 2 appeareth to be formed of an Hawk, 

 changed in its Shape at one certain Time of the Year : for 

 then the other Hawks are not to be seen, unless for some 

 very few Days. It showeth itself also only for a small Sea- 



1 Falconry was little known to the Romans, but it was held as 

 honourable in some parts of Greece. Hence the Greeks denominated the 

 falconry hawks Hierax, and the falconer Hieracaros; although, perhaps, 

 this idea of their sacred character may have been derived from Egypt, 

 where the Accipiter JEgyptius was so deemed, because it preyed on serpents. 

 - Wem. Club. 



2 The history of the Cuckoo may be seen in Mr. Yarrell's " British 

 Birds." The ancient opinion that this bird became changed into a Hawk, 

 was derived from the fact that one of the migratory Hawks appeared 

 about the time when the Cuckoo departed. Went. Club. 



