HERON HAWKING. 
but did not take him. The other falcon soon overtook the 
heron, which began to prepare for the threatened attack by 
disgorging its ballast, consisting of two or three fishes ; while 
the hawk, after flying ronnd for a short time in circles, at 
length soared above him, and then pouncing downwards struck 
him on the back, when they both came tumbling down together 
from a great height to the ground. The other falcon, having 
lost some time in chasing the crow, was now flying with all 
speed to assist her companion, and was coming up just as the 
first falcon and heron were falling. At this instant a rook 
happened to fly across, when the disappointed falcon struck at 
him, and they both fell together within twenty yards of the 
other falcon and heron. No sooner had they reached the 
ground than each of the falcons began to pull its victim to 
pieces ; but as soon as the falconers could come up the lures 
were thrown out, and the falcons were allowed to make a meal 
upon the pigeons, having been kept fasting for some hours 
before. The pigeons were placed for them on the body of the 
heron ; and, after they were satisfied, they were again hooded, 
and put up for the day. 
“ The next case of hawks consisted of two younger birds, and 
when let loose at another heron they flew up to it very well ; 
but the heron was an old one, and was supposed to have been 
attacked before, for the moment he saw his enemies below he 
began to soar into the air and set up a low croak, and the two 
young falcons, not so experienced as the two first, older ones, 
would not attack the heron, but, after flying about for some 
time, left him. Upon this one of the falconers set up a call, 
when one of them, from a great height in the air, immediately 
closed his wings, and, darting down to the man who called him, 
was taken in hand. The other falcon, however, was not so well 
trained or obedient, but continued to sail about in the air. 
“ At length an heron approached and she attacked it, but 
without success, and soon left it. At last a third heron crossed, 
which she attacked, and, after a short struggle, succeeded in 
bringing to the ground in the same manner as in the first case. 
This last heron had its wing broken, but the other was taken 
alive, and afterwards turned out before a single falcon, which 
struck it down in a minute.” 
It is very remarkable that when a heron has been once taken 
by a falcon, it will never afterwards exhibit any boldness in 
soaring and endeavouring to escape, if placed in a like position. 
In the above case the heron which had been captured, and was 
t 2 275 
