PASSAGE HAWKS CATCHING 283 



tiny black speck, high in the heavens. Two of these shrikes 

 are generally used, tethered upon mounds near the hut, with a 

 little house, like those in which the pigeons are kept, to shelter 

 them. As soon as they see a hawk they will chatter and scream, 

 pointing steadily in the direction of the bird's approach. An 

 experienced falconer can tell fairly well from the action of his 

 butcher bird what species of hawk is in view. More alarm 

 will be shown at the approach of a goshawk than of any 

 other variety, while at tiercels or merlins his gestures are those 

 of absurd indignation and defiance. 



Everything being then prepared, the falconer will arrive at 

 his hut and have all in readiness by daybreak. Early morning 

 is the best time for catching hawks, and the passage for the day 

 is over by three o'clock as a rule. With a good stock of tobacco 

 and some occupation such as net-making or cobbling, to while 

 away the many weary hours of waiting, he establishes himself 

 inside his hut ; presently, if all goes well, his butcher birds 

 will chatter, point, and warn him to be on the look-out. Far 

 away, it may be, he sees a tiny speck, which he believes to be a 

 peregrine. At any rate he pulls the line attached to the pole 

 hawk, and soon brings up the wild bird to rather closer 

 quarters. Should it be a peregrine such as he desires to cap- 

 ture, he drops the line attached to the pole hawk, which at 

 once subsides to the ground, and draws that which lifts the 

 pigeon to the top of the pole, and lets it fly well out. At this 

 pigeon the wild hawk most likely 'comes with a rattle,' but at 

 the nick of time the falconer drops the line, and the frightened 

 bird will bolt into its little hut for safety. Angry and disap- 

 pointed, the wild hawk will shoot into the air and give a circle 

 round to see what has become of her prey. At this juncture the 

 falconer pulls out the pigeon attached to one or other end (ac- 

 cording to the direction of wind and position of the hawk) of 

 his bow-net. The wild falcon's blood is up ; she has been dis- 

 appointed once, and she dashes like lightning on to the pigeon, 

 which she imagines to be the one that just escaped her. Of 

 course she has no difficulty in taking it, and as she is killing it 



