THE LADY'S HAWK 43 



literally dropped head first from the sky and tried unsuccessfully to force the 

 prey away from the Merlin ; the second was a modest Kestrel who likewise 

 dropped from nowhere, and who so siurprised the Merhn that she gave up, 

 and the quarry continued on its way — doubtless much reUeved ! 



And in the third case the intruder was a wild Merlin, who co-operated 

 with the trained hawk in a most masterly fashion, timing his stoops so that 

 the two of them never clashed ; so that always one or other of them was pre- 

 paring for a new effort — until she ultimately succeeded in carrjring off the 

 prize. 



A trained Merlin will often demonstrate the extraordinarily keen sight 

 of these little hawks. As one is walking along with the hawk on the fist, she 

 will quietly turn her head on one side and look steadily into the sky ; on follow- 

 ing the direction of her gaze one can almost invariably discern the form of 

 some bird of prey, perhaps soaring at an immense height. 



Two days ago I was crossing some stubble in the western part of Kent 

 with a Merhn on my fist ; three times did she thus turn her head and gaze 

 upwards, and three times did I, wondering what she could see, attempt to 

 satisfy myself on the point. But I could see nothing— although the day was 

 cloudless and there was no mist. And yet a fourth time did my Merlin gaze 

 aloft. 



I then stopped and searched the sky as thoroughly as I might — ^for some time 

 without success — but at last I made out, almost directly overhead, the form 

 of what I think was a Buzzard or an Eagle, saiUng on outstretched wings, 

 which was at such a vast height that it would have been really impossible 

 to identify it, I think, even had I had glasses. 



It has been said that Merlins in the wild state are in the habit of killing, 

 in addition to plover, pigeons and partridges. I, personally, have never seen a 

 Merlin kill either of these birds, but have not the least doubt that a Merhn 

 would be perfectly capable of catching a pigeon, and of kilhng it in a very few 

 seconds. But I do rather doubt whether a Merlin could kill a full-grown par- 

 tridge. She could catch it, for as before remarked the Merhn is a most persistent 

 hawk, and normally the partridge does not fly far — but I do not think that she 

 could kill it. A healthy partridge has an upsetting knack of beating with 

 its wings in a most rough, energetic manner, and I hardly think that a httle 

 Merhn — who is not nearly up to the weight of the partridge — would be ' man 

 enough ' to hold on. A sparrow-hawk — yes — but a Merhn I am doubtful about. 



Some time ago I had a trained Merhn which developed a sudden mania 

 for chasing partridges — for some time without success, for the crafty birds 

 would put in to any cover that might be available. 



But at last, one day she ' bound to ' a partridge amongst some potatoes ; 

 the rest of the covey, seeing their comrade in difficulties, rushing in to his rescue, 

 and setting upon the poor hawk, soon had him free ! 



