NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS. 39 
not hold to the first branches, but brought up on one near the ground. It 
was a Sparrow, and was not apparently hurt, simply breathless from fright. 
All kinds of birds are sometimes seen with the tail-feathers gone: have 
they barely escaped in this condition from the clutches of the hawk. Black- 
birds, Thrushes, and Pigeons are frequently struck: the hawk seems to lay 
them on the back, for, if he is disturbed, that is the position his victim 
usually remains in. Though hawks do not devour every morsel, yet, as a 
rule, nothing is found but the feathers, usually scattered in a circle. Even 
the bones disappear : probably ground vermin make away with the fragments. 
The hawk is not always successful in disabling his prey. I have seena 
Partridge, dashed to the ground, get up again and escape. The bird was 
flying close to the ground when struck ; the hawk alighted on the grass a 
few yards farther off in a confused way, as if overbalanced, and before he 
could reach the Partridge, the latter was up and found shelter in a thick 
hedge.” 
