HUNTING — FISHING— WARS AND EXPEDITIONS. 33 



attack pigeons. Generally the strength of their wings 

 promptly places them in safety. He therefore hides 

 himself in the neighbourhood of the pigeon-house, 

 ready to fall on those pigeons who pick up food around. 

 But the pigeons are suspicious, and if they recognise 

 his presence they remain hidden in their dwellings. 

 In this case it has sometimes been found that the 

 Goshawk has quietly flown up to their house and 

 alighted on its summit ; there, by violently beating 

 his wings, he gives a succession of sudden blows to 

 the roof. Startled and frightened by this unac- 

 customed noise, the inhabitants dart out, and the 

 bird of prey can then profit by their alarm to seize 

 one or two.^ 



The Pseudaetus is also obliged to have recourse to 

 a subterfuge in order to gain birds that fly well. He 

 easily destroys fowls, and hunts them so successfully 

 tliat in" Spain, in certain isolated farms, it has been 

 necessary to give up rearing fowls in, consequence of 

 these numerous depredations. But to seize pigeons 

 is not so easy a matter. Generally, according to 

 Jerdon, two birds unite to attack a band. One of 

 the aggressors pretends to wish to seize them from 

 below. This is a very unusual method, for birds of 

 prey always rise above the game in order to throw 

 themselves down on it. This puts out the pigeons, 

 and they fear the manoeuvre all the more because 

 they are unaccustomed to it. During this instant of 

 confusion the second assailant passes unperceived 

 above them, plunges into the midst and seizes a 

 pigeon ; there is a new panic, by which the first 

 aggressor profits in order to rise rapidly in his turn 

 and seize a second victim. 



^ Wodricki, " Ornithologische M.\i,cf^." Journ. f. OrniihoL, 1856. 



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