The hawks which are really destructive can be numbered on the fingers of one hand, and when we count up all the British hawks, the necessity of a wholesale killing of all the members of the tribe is far from apparent. We shall, therefore, only describe those which really exert their predacity in a sufficiently destructive manner amongst game to render their presence in any number obnoxious.

The Sparrowhawk.-This is probably one of the most numerous and destructive of our hawks, and, coupled with its mischievous character, has a most shy and wary nature, so that, although the proofs of its misdeeds are invariably but too apparent, the bird itself is to all intents undetected. None but the most observant are able to study the whole routine of its existence with anything like accuracy; for, except when hunting for its prey, its intense shyness. and wildness are far too well exercised to admit of any close notice of its habits. Wooded districts are mostly esteemed by it, but it seems always to prefer closely-cultivated lands-probably as its prey is then more plentiful. It hunts both in the open and covert, preferring, of course, in the latter case, woods where the trees are not sufficiently close to impede its progress, as it flies, sometimes at headlong speed, at others with gentle progress, in search or pursuit of any bird or animal which may be luckless enough to be descried by it. When on the wing it alternates between an occasional exceedingly rapid flight and a sweeping, stealthy sort of motion, acquired apparently without movement of the wings. Should it, thus flying, descry any kind of prey, its flight is changed to a hover, and for a few seconds it scrutinises the object of attention.

It will, further, often select a large stone, stake, tree, or such like, as resting place, from which, during its temporary suspension of operations, it does not fail to keep a vigilant look out. This feathered vermin evidently prefers winged food to furred, but although its chief source of sustenance is found in birds, an occasional rabbit or leveret does not come amiss. The following list probably embraces those which suffer most from this bird's voracity : voracity Young pheasants and grouse, partridges, pigeons, larks, blackbirds, snipes, swallows, sparrows, peewits, thrushes, all finches, buntings, pipits, and many others, so that altogether this hawk has a very good list from which to choose its daily fare. In addition to these, mice of various sorts, grasshoppers, and several kinds of beetles are occasionally consumed. All the small birds are swallowed whole, legs included, so that proofs of mischief done in this direction are not too frequent. Chickens and ducklings are also much esteemed, not to mention coop-reared pheasants when of tender age.

The nest of the pigeon hawk-as it is sometimes calledis rarely of its own construction; most often an old nest is chosen, formerly built and used by a crow, magpie, jay, or wood pigeon, in some fir or other tree-oak or ash for choice; or, perhaps, a solitary jackdaw's nest, in some ruin or neglected house is selected, and becomes the receptacle of its eggs. The sparrowhawk nests in April and May.

The Kestrel.-This is probably the most common of our British hawks, but by no means of the same destructive nature that makes the sparrowhawk so notorious. It is,

however, not always the innocent bird, as far as game is concerned, that some would make us believe, and, although we would not at all advocate any attempts being made with the express aim of taking the kestrel, still it will occasionally turn to harassing young partridges, &c., and thus rightly fall a victim to wiles intended for its congener, the sparrowhawk. For the most part, its food consists of mice, shrews, and a great variety-although not great numbers of small birds. Grasshoppers, beetles, and caterpillars, frogs, lizards, and slowworms, also form a portion of its provender. As far as its haunts are concerned, there is little to say, for it is fairly frequent throughout the country. The kestrel sometimes travels far afield to secure a nesting place suited to its habits, but there is not much to note respecting its choice of situation for the same. Its other names are "windhover," "creshawk," "hoverhawk," "stannelhawk," "stonegall."

The Hen Harrier.-This is another fine hawk, frequenting downs, commons, fens, moors, and marshy expanses, being more numerous in such localities than in cultivated or inclosed ones. It preys almost entirely on game of all sorts and on many moor-fowl, but it is an easily-captured bird. It seems a pity such a really handsome creature should ever be destroyed for the sake of a pheasant or two, or the like.

The Marsh Harrier, which is likewise locally termed "moor buzzard," "bald buzzard," "harpy duck hawk," "puttock," "marsh hawk," will also occasionally be found in the trap set for other hawks.

The Short-eared Owl, the Long-eared Owl, and the

Brown Owl are invariably regarded by gamekeepers as vermin; but although occasionally they may err, their general good behaviour and utility should suffice to preserve them from destruction.

The

The trapping of hawks is a considerably more difficult matter than the capture of any of the various birds hitherto discussed, and such being the case, it is necessary to carefully note the details the observance of which leads to success. The traps hitherto described are those most suitable, and, with the exception of a newly-invented one, presently to be mentioned, we know of no others. signs by which one can tell where to trap for hawks are generally pretty apparent in the shape of mauled birds, or the remains of such, which will be mostly met with on the outside of, or along any paths through, a wood or plantation; should the bird discovered appear to be but partly eaten, it may with advantage be employed as a bait to one or two light vermin gins neatly set around it. It will probably be observed that the sparrowhawk hunts the same ground every day; and, that being the case, considerable advantage is gained, as various baits can be placed and tilled in positions where their observance by the varmint is almost certain. Whenever a single tree grows in the neighbourhood of a covert, or a particularly high one within the plantation, one of its branches, thick enough to take a hawk trap, should be cut off at a suitable place, and one of these gins be countersunk on the top and set. It is sure to prove very productive of captures, while the same means recommended for magpies, of placing poles round the outskirts of a covert and adorning their

tops with gins, is equally efficacious for hawks. When trapping for the harriers, there is no better bait than a leveret or a rabbit; but it is necessary to make some observation of their haunts before commencing to trap. Having determined upon these to one's satisfaction, half-adozen or a less number of poles must be raised at intervals, height about four or five feet, and the top flattened and dirtied by rubbing green moss thereon. In a day or two,

provide each with a circular gin, thinly concealed by a circle of moss and in a conspicuous position; arrange the bait in the most tempting manner possible, and, if things have been managed with anything like an eye to business, a fair percentage of the hawks frequenting the locality will be caught. From the two or three examples mentioned,

the amateur should soon be able to discover and take advantage of all possible opportunities when the capture of any molesting hawks may be effected.