Species 5.-The Goshawk.

Sib Scot. 15. Accipiter Palumbarius, the Goshawk, Mas Decitur, the Tercel, Wil. Orn. 85. Raii Syn. Av. 18. Falco Palumbarius, Lin. Sys. 130. Brit. Zool. I. p. 140. tab. 5.

THIS species is pretty frequent in Orkney, and I suppose is one of the hawks the king's falconer was wont to fetch from our rocks. To this day there is a rent-charge exacted from many of the inhabitants for the maintenance of these hawks, called hawk-hens, and which is still yearly uplifted. Of old it consisted of any carrion, such as a dog, horse, or other garbage, for which they were charged at a stated price if not delivered. Mr Wallace tells us, the kite, or glead, was to be found in Orkney in plenty; however, I never saw nor heard of them, and rather believe those he had seen were stragglers from other countries, for the manner of their flight renders them very conspicuous even at a great distance, so that one can scarce be mistaken in them. But I rather think this species is not to be found in Orkney, as there is no proper shelter for them, they being fonder of gloomy woods than sea-beat rocks, and delighting more in an extensive country than narrow isles; at least these are the observations I made on them while in Scotland, where I seldom observed them very near the sea.

Species 6.-The Hen-Harrier.

Wil. Orn. 70. Raii Syn. Av. 17. The Hen-Harrier, the male; the Ringtail, the female, Brit. Zool. II. p. 147. Orc. Kattabelly.

THIS large species is very frequent with us all the year, and approaches nearest the country-houses of any hawk we have, making great destruction among young poultry. Its ordinary flight is lower than the generality of our hawks, and its whole appearance liker the owl kind. In winter is almost white, except the tips of the wings; in summer more ash-coloured.

Species 7.-The Kestril.

The Kestril, Stannel, Stanegal, Windhover, Wil. Orn. 84. Raii Syn. Av. 16. Brit. Zool. 149. Orc. Windcuffer.

THIS species is often observed, as it were, rivetted to one place, always attentive to what passes immediately below it, and by this circumstance has gained the name of windcuffers. I lately observed a couple of these which had nested in the steeple of the church of Stenness, in Orkney, and lived in good neighbourhood with a pair of ravens, which likewise had made this their retreat. It preys upon mice, small birds, and some

times chickens, which it darts from the air upon,

and snatches

in an instant, seldom missing its prey.

Species 8.-The Sparrow-Hawk.

Wil. Orn. 86. Raïi Syn. Av. 18. Falco Nisus, Lin. Sys. 130. Brit. Zool. 151. Sib. Scot. 15.

THIS little mischievous species is found very common in our sea-rocks, as well as in the precipices of the hills, where it defends its nest with great spirit against all intruders. I lately saw a battle between one of this species and the short-eared owl, which began by the latter approaching too near the hawk's dominions. The hawk had visibly the better, notwithstanding the superior bulk of the other; every stroke he gave the owl made him scream out, while he nimbly avoided all harm from his clumsier enemy, and who in the end was obliged to withdraw, and leave him the calm possession of what they fought for.

This species, as well as the next, makes vast havock among pigeons; I have observed it light among a flock, and drive them all several ways, seldom missing one or other of them. It, too, makes great destruction among the smaller birds, coursing them through the air like a little hound, and, how soon it gets a proper opportunity, one stroke finishes the contest; but this is so severe, that a gentleman told me he observed one of this species knock down one of his pigeons,

which he picked up, and found the entrails drove out of it by the force of the blow.

It is wonderful to observe at what a distance the small birds know this hawk, and with what anxiety they shun him; when pursued often running themselves into more certain danger; bushes, caves, houses, even the bosom of their general enemy, Man, is then an asylum, though often trying to save their lives, they more certainly lose them.

Species 9.-The Merlin.

Wil. Orn. 85. Raii Syn. Av. 15. Brit. Zool. 153. Sib. Scot. 15. Merlin, the female; Jack, the male. Accipiter salon.

OFTEN seen skimming along the fields in search of prey; flies low; and, like the former, kills its prey with a stroke of its wing, and sometimes nimbly whips a small bird from the ground, and immediately makes off with it; remarkably tenacious of its prey, seldom willing to part with it; to preserve it will catch it in its claws, and fly as well as it can, even though with a pigeon, moorfowl, or other bird heavier than itself. All the merlin's motions are quick, its turnings and windings so much so, that they can scarce be followed with the eye. It is full of spirit; when wounded (if not mortally), fights with bill and claws, and if it hits seldom fails to fetch the blood. In a word, though among the least, it is the briskest among the hawk kind in these islands.

I have observed in winter a hawk of the bulk of one of the two latter species, and having very much of their manners, but different in colour, being ash-coloured above* and white below, but whether one of them having the colour changed by the season I know not, as I never could procure a speci

men.

When falconry was in vogue, the Orkney hawks were in much esteem and request, and a falconer came once a-year to carry off the young birds; but what species it was he sought after I cannot get any tolerable information, as the names are delivered in such general terms there is no drawing any thing from. I hear of the falcon, the tercel, and the hawk, but what species of these I cannot discover. Sir Robert Sibbald, indeed, places the falco gentilis, † or tercel gentle, in these isles; but all my search for this bird has as yet been in vain. Indeed, the falcons are a genus of birds whereof specimens are generally difficult to procure, except the more ignoble, as the hen-harrier, &c. which is often shot in the yards; however, if my want of information in this genus could stir up any to help me, I should think it a point gained, to render these I have observed completer, and acknowledge the favour.

In the bill for dissolving and disannexing the earldom of Orkney from the Crown, we find the find following particular: “That all hawks be reserved to his Majesty, with the "falconers salaries, according to ancient custom.

Brit. Zool. I. p. 62.

+ Vide Sib. Scot. 14.