146 EXTRACTS FROM NOTE-BOOKS. CH. XXIX. 



for a short time the morning sun, shakes her 

 feathers once or twice, plumes her wings, and then 

 launching herself into the air, passes with straight 

 and direct flight to the most favourable hunting- 

 ground. Some unfortunate grouse or plover is soon 

 struck down. The first act of a falcon on striking 

 and catching a bird is, if any life remains, to dislo- 

 cate its neck ; and thus its pain is immediately over. 

 Oftener, however, the falcon strikes her chace while 

 in the air, killing it perfectly dead instantaneously. 

 Indeed all the long-winged hawks prefer striking 

 their prey in the air, seldom dashing, with the same 

 confidence, at a bird on the ground. Having well 

 tilled her crop, the falcon flies back to some 

 favourite stone, or projection of rock on the cliflTs, 

 and there sits in a state of quiet satisfaction for the 

 rest of the day, perched in a situation where no 

 danger can approach her unperceived. 



There must be great enjoyment too in the flight 

 of the eagle and buzzard, as they soar and float for 

 hours together at a height that makes them appear 

 no bigger than a lark. The latter bird too seems 

 the very personification of happiness, as, uttering its 

 merry and sweet song, it mounts higher and higher 

 till lost to sight. 



But no birds seem to enjoy life more than water- 

 fowl ; floating without exertion in perfect security 



