of the Noi-folk and Suffolk Birds. 3 



spread in a meadow, and fastened at the corners with little hooked 

 sticks. On the middle of the napkin a live sparrow Avas iixed by 

 means of a strino- three or four inches in lenoth. Slender twios 



CD c? Q 



were stuck up on both sides the cloth, to prevent the Hawk 

 from attacking the sparrow on either side. Two long slender 

 twigs of weeping-willoAv, well covered with birdlime, were stuck 

 in the ground, one at each end of the napkin, both forming an 

 arch over the bird, but at such a distance that the sparrow 

 could not touch them with its wings whilst fluttering ; neither 

 could any Hawk reach the sparrow without coming in contact 

 with the limed twigs. The intention of the white cloth was to 

 attract the attention of the Hawk at a greater distance to the 

 sparrow fluttering upon it. The limed twigs were stuck so 

 slightly in the ground, that if the Hawk, upon finding himself 

 entangled, should struggle, they would have gone oft" with him 

 and prevented his flight. INIr. II. observes, that twigs covered 

 with birdlime, when long and slender, will stop the flight of the 

 strongest bird, if fixed so as to pass oft' with him, Avhen touched 

 by his plumage : for they then become like a chain binding the 

 wings to the body. By these twigs he has caught the Cuckoo, 

 Pigeon, &c., and has no doubt but that the Eagle, and every 

 bird of prey, might be taken by them when their nests or haunts 

 are discovered. 



The disposition of the Kestril is bold and familiar. Imme- 

 diately upon the capture of one by the above method, Mr. Har- 

 rison placed him upon a table, and gave him the sparrow which 

 he had killed when taken : he plucked and ate it in his pre- 

 sence, showing no more dread than if he had been brought up 

 tame. After capturing three of these birds, Mr. H. made no 

 further attempts upon them, as he considers them to be of great 

 benefit to the farmer, and doing very little injury to the sports- 

 man. 



B 2 A Hawk 



