Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1905-10-22

aud neeteSt OF all that ny-has long
been eXterminated in these islands. and
in the snow capped mountains where
she still has her home 40 trappprs 20
on n princes errand to ensnare her for
his service. No longer does n Danish
king send IL cast OF these noble crea-
lures rs II specially welcome present 10
his royal brothers.
But the percgflne we still have,
| though. alas. In ever decreasing mum.
bers. The goshawk though extinct In
England. Is still sometimes sent over
| from the forests OF France or Germany
| or Norway TO he trained and flown
| in the British isles. And then we have,
though ii will not be for long the tiny
merlin, tile much enduring and much
maligned sparrow hawk, and. rarer
still. though not entirely unknown, the
| long winged hobby. Occasionally n
tanner from Africa or shahcen from
lndin is imported by some enthusiast.
and even the fine shaped barlmry and
some of the desert falcons have been
seen within recent years TO wear the
hood in England.
All these hawks and possibly n few
others have been ira ned and flown by
Englishmen who are now living But
Of the whole number only four species
are now commonly used in Euglnnd
| Each of them has It's own special
| part or parts 10 play In the business
| for which they are intended. But Of
the very large number of wild cren-
lures In the pursuit of which nature
| oil ON nf Ia, al
few now survive I'm sufficient numbers
or are to he found In sufficiently open
places 10 serve MS suitable quarry for
them.
Thus. rs far ms Wiltshire is concern
cd. The flights for which the percgrine
Is hahi,ually reserved are only three
rocks. magpirs nntl pnrtrdgcs. II Is in
the earlier part Of the wear that the
two first named quarry much dctest-
cd by farmers rs we'll rs game prcscrv-
ers-arc pursued. the rocks by female
pcregrncs, especially dignifcd by the
name of falcons" anu the magpies 10y
their smaller brothers. called "ticrccls"
The falcon II flown singly ut rocks.
which when il Is Il matter OF life or.
death for them. acquit themselves with
great ability in the air, flying AT IL high
rate OF speed, especially down Wind,
and avoiding the hawks swoops with
much adroitness. The falconcrs in at
tendance must gallop fast If they mean
10 keep up with the flight until the
quarry either falls Il victim TO some
specially we'll aimed blow or makes his
way successfully. often after dying
! n a n n mr. hn1 tnt
where lie is safe
AT the magpic the tiercels are flown
In casts two together. and each assists
the other in trying to corntcract and
4 defeat the crafty maneuvers with
which this knowing quarry endeavors
10 clude their active pursuit 1t Is an
animated scene ms the horsemen at
tempt with loud cries and other noises
10 rout out from some thickct or hiding
place the reluctant fugitive, while the
hawks circle about In the mir above,
ready To deliver quickly their hcadlong
l'stoops ns soon as ever the patch OF
Upright black and white feathers has
been forced 10 emerge into the open.
In September the whole plan of OPP
crations aud many Of the performers
thrown off from the fist ms soon as
rock or magpic is found in suitable
place the ha wks. one mt time. are put
on the wing before any quarry at all
Is in sight. The falconer has satisfied
himself that II partridge or covey Is
HquattinE or running somewhere not
far in front of him, and the hawk,
knowing by long practice what il ex-
rected of him. mounts steadily. often
10 very great height. and then circles
about, waiting until the men below
have flushed the game. when he comes
llown with almost Incredible speed In
long stoop. which often. indeed. misses
its mark. but. il the hawk Is good
he used for partridge hawking. whether
HEY are Of one sex or the other and
whether they have been taken ns ey-
esses from the acre or have been cap
turcd in the adult state in Holland and
already used in the spring for rocks or
magpes.
cartridges may also be taken with
gosha wks when these are exception
ally quick on the wing. but in their
case the flight Is more or less Of stern
chase, with none of those lghtnngiike
descents from out or the skv which
are considered the chief merit Of the
flight with the nobler falcons. The
quarry for which the female goshawk
Is most suitable and most often used Is
ground game. either rabbits or hares.
This Kind of hawk. like the sparrow
hawk, can be flown great many timer
In succession on the same day, and
| quite big bag of rabbits has been
made with even one goshawk when In
first rate fettle. But 1t requires an I'm.
usually strong and bold one to tackle