MH. T. .1. MANN ON HAWKS. 
G55 
featliers. On the Falconer loosing the string, of course both Hawk 
and feathers return to the ground. From the right-hand pole 
a similar line runs through the hut window, only instead of a Hawk 
and bunch of feathers, to this one a live white pigeon is attached by 
bmces; at the foot of the pole the Falconer has placed a small 
shelter or hut of heather sods, just large enough to permit the 
pigeon, when running on the ground, the line being slacked, to hide 
itself away in should clanger threaten. A few yards from the window, 
placed right and loft respectively, are two little heather mounds, so 
formed, that on the summit of each, a little cave, hollow, or retreat 
is fashioned, and around and over which a few bent twigs in the 
shape of arches are fixed. Those small hillocks with their caves 
IM3rform an important part in the Hawk-snarer’s programme, for 
they are the earthworks of the signalling corps. Poor indeed 
would bo the luck of the patient Falconer had he not extra eyes to 
assist him, and these ho finds placed at his service by the Great 
Grey Shrike. This bird, which is perhaps more widely known as 
the Butcher-bird, is possessed of a most remarkably keen sight, 
and one being firstened by a lino to each of these mounds, gives the 
Falconer notice by his llutterings and cries of the approach of 
a Hawk, although it will probably be a considerable time before 
the Falconer can localize the minute speck in the remote distance. 
To the right and left of the hut, and on some occasions to the 
rear, at a distance of about fifty yards, are placed other little huts 
also built of heather sods, about two feet in length and one foot in 
height and width : these are meant to contain one live pigeon in each, 
attached by braces to lines which run to the Falconer’s hut, and 
piissing through the wall, are within easy reach of the Falconer’s 
hand. The ends of these pigeon hutches, remote from the hut, are 
made of laths of wood fixed as bars, so that food and water being 
placed outside, the prisoner can feed Avithout wasting his food. 
The other ends are closed by little lean-to doors similar to that of 
the main hut, and not being fixed, the Falconer can, when necessary, 
pull the pigeon backwards out of his hutch, by means of the line. 
A few yards nearer towards the hut than these hutches are fixed 
lx)w-nets concealed with heather, the sides remote from the hut 
l)cing firmly pegged down, the other connected by wire pulls with 
the hut. In the centre of each net between the bows an iron pin 
with a ring head is driven into the ground. The line from the 
