384 
MISCELLANY. 
of a thick hedge, and appeared in the greatest tribulation when we approached, 
uttering a shrill cry, and ceaselessly performing the curious motion of the wing 
noticed above. After a considerable time a newly-fledged Whin Chat—doubt¬ 
less the offspring of the other^made its appearance, and, therefore, unless the 
parent had a second nest in hand, we are unable to account for the extreme 
anxiety it testified during our stay near the spot.—En. 
Hawking with the Rock Gossak (Asiur palumbarius ).—Inferior in power to 
the Falcons, though equal in size to the largest of them, the Goshawk is yet the 
best of the short-winged Hawks; but its habits, as well as its mode of flying at 
its game, are very different ; it does not stoop to its prey, like the Falcons, but 
glides along in a line after it, and takes it by a mode which, in the language of 
falconry, is called raking. The Goshawk was formerly in esteem among falconers, 
and was flown at Hares, Rabbits, Grouse, and Partridges. It flies fast for a 
short distance, may be used in an enclosed country, and will even dash through 
woods after its prey; but if it does not catch the object, it soon gives up the 
pursuit, and perching on a bough, waits till some new game presents itself. 
This habit of taking to a branch of a tree and waiting is particularly alluded to 
by Colonel Thornton, formerly of Thornville Royal, who was devoted to hawk¬ 
ing, and who, in reference to the Goshawk, says, If its game takes refuge, 
there it waits patiently on a tree, or a stone, until the game, pressed by hunger, 
is induced to move; and as the Hawk is capable of greater abstinence, it 
generally succeeds in taking it. I flew a Goshawk," says the Colonel, “ at a 
Pheasant; but it got into cover, and we lost the Hawk : at ten o’clock next 
morning the falconer found her, and just as he had lifted her the Pheasant ran 
and rose.” 
As the flight of the Goshawk is low, and it takes its prey near the ground, 
the females were flown at Hares and Rabbits; the males, which are much 
smaller, were flown at Partridges.— Yarrell’s British Birds^ p. 56—9. 
Instinct of Animals.— Instinct is not an unerring guide to animals. An 
interesting paper might be written on the mistakes into which they are liable to 
fall. The following examples may lead to the mention of others by those 
naturalists who pry into the habits of animals, and accurately observe their 
resources. Even the wonderfully-gifted Bee falls into error occasionally. I have 
frequently observed Bees hover about and for a moment settle upon the coloured 
leaves of the red and purple Clary, and in an instant after turn away suddenly, 
as if vexed and disappointed, and settle upon the flowers below. A lady who 
had on an elegantly-flowered challis dress once visiting my hives, was immedi¬ 
ately surrounded by the Bees, and many of them settled upon the flowers (Pinks) 
which were so exquisitely depicted upon her dress.—R., Doncaster^ Sept. 6,1837» 
The Hobby Falcon (Falco subhuteo) near Scarborough. —This bird is 
