SHRIKES. 
165 
bow-net is fixed in the ground, so arranged as to be pulled 
quickly over by means of a small piece of iron, made fast to 
the net, and reaching to the hut ; the string by which the 
pigeon is held passes through a hole in a piece of wood driven 
into the ground, in the centre of a how-net. The falconer 
has also a decoy Pigeon, in a string, at a short distance from 
the hut ; and several tame Pigeons at liberty on the outside, 
which, on sight of a Hawk, immediately take shelter within. 
The Butcher-bird is fastened by a leather thong on a hillock 
of turf, a yard in height, and a few yards distant from the 
hut ; a small hole is made, and a piece of turf laid over, for a 
place of retreat in case of danger. 
The falconer has some quiet and sedentary employment in 
hand, to occupy his time, which does not prevent his observing 
every motion of this his little watch-bird ; and it is almost 
incredible at how great a distance he will perceive a Hawk in 
the air. If it comes near, he shows symptoms of alarm, — 
drawing in his feathers, and fixing his eyes in the same 
direction : on its approaching still nearer, he screams aloud ; 
the Hawk being then, perhaps, not less than three or four 
hundred yards distant; on its closer approach, he retreats 
under the turf, and quite conceals himself. It is then the 
falconer draws out the Pigeons where the nets are fixed, which, 
fluttering round, generally tempt the Hawk to make a stoop 
at one of them, which if he takes, he is inevitably ensnared. 
While the Hawk is near, the Shrike continues in his hiding- 
place, hardly daring to show his head at the entrance of his 
retreat : should the Hawk be taken, or pass over without 
touching the Pigeons, he cautiously creeps out, yet almost 
afraid to trust himself on his hillock, looking on every side, 
and does not for some time recover from his alarm. There 
is one Hawk, the Goshawk, of which he is particularly afraid, 
screaming louder than ever, and making every attempt to 
escape, as if aware that this Hawk will even seize him in his 
hiding-place, should it catch sight of him, which the other 
Hawks will not do. He, on the other hand, shows less alarm 
at the sight of the Kite or Buzzard, unless very near indeed ; 
so that, by the motion of the Butcher-bird, the falconer can 
