94 WILD SPORTS OF THE HIGHLANDS. [cHaP. x1 
He very soon became quite tame, and came on being called to 
receive his food, which consisted of birds, mice, &c. So fearless 
was he, that he flew instantly at the largest kind of sea-gull or 
crow that we gave him. When hungry, and no other food was 
at hand, he would attend the gardener when digging, and swallow 
the large earthworms as they were turned up. To my great 
regret, we found the little bird lying dead under the tree in 
which he usually roosted ; and though I examined him carefully, 
I could not find out the cause of his death. 
Although all these small hawks which frequent this country 
destroy a certain quantity of game, their principal food consists 
of thrushes, blackbirds, and other small birds. In the winter, 
when the greenfinches collect in large flocks on the stubble fields, 
I have frequently seen the merlin or sparrowhawk suddenly glide 
round the angle of some hedgerow or plantation, and taking upa 
bird from the middle of the flock, carry it off almost before his 
presence is observed by the rest of the greenfinches. 
Sometimes two merlins hunt together, and, as it were, course 
a lark, or even swallow, in the air, the two hawks assisting each 
other in the most systematic manner. First one hawk chases 
the unfortunate bird for a short time, while his companion hovers . 
quietly at hand; in a minute or so, the latter relieves his fellow- 
hunter, who in his turn rests. In this way they soon tire out the 
lark or swallow; and catching the poor bird in mid-air, one of 
the hayks flies away with him, leaving his companion to hunt 
alone till his return from feeding their young brood. 
The hobby, a beautiful little hawk, like a miniature peregrine 
falcon, is not very common here, though I have occasionally 
killed it. This kind of hawk leaves us before the winter. I have 
seen its nest in a fir or Jarch tree; but they seem to be very rare 
here. A strong courageous bird, the hobby attacks and preys 
on pigeons and partridges, though so much larger than himself. 
Since the introduction of English traps and keepers, all birds 
of prey are gradually decreasing in this country, whilst blackbirds, 
thrushes, and other singing birds increase most rapidly. In the 
highland districts of Moray, where a few years back a blackbird 
or thrush was rather a rare bird, owing to the skill and perse- 
verance of gamekeepers and vermin-trappers in exterminating 
their enemies, they now abound, devastating our fruit-gardens, 
