SHRIKES. 
199 
its master. It will also, with wonderful celerity, 
follow the descent of a ring, purposely thrown down 
a deep well, catching it in its fall, and returning it 
to its owner. 
In parts of Holland and Germany, it is used 
for catching Hawks, in rather a curious way, 
showing some other of its peculiarities. The Fal- 
con-catchers generally make their preparations in 
October and November, when the Hawks are 
on their passage towards the southern parts of 
Europe. The falconer constructs a low turf hut, 
in an open part of the country, with a small 
opening on one side ; at about a hundred yards' 
distance from the hut, a light-coloured Pigeon is 
placed in a hole in the ground, covered with turf, 
with a string attached to it, which reaches to the 
hut ; another Pigeon is placed in a similar situation 
on the opposite side, at the same distance. At ten 
yards' distance from each Pigeon, a small 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 the bow-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. 
