FOREST BIRDS 135 



world. From Nature's point of view there is no more 

 cruelty in a Hawk's catching a mouse than there is 

 in a Swallow's catching a mosquito. Both are play- 

 ing the part that is assigned to them. The Hawk's 

 equipment of strong, sharp, curved talons, hooked, 

 tearing bill, and great strength are no more effective 

 than the large mouth and wonderful agility of the 

 Swallow. But the Hawk looks the part; the Swal- 

 low does not, and we therefore attribute to the for- 



The Powerful Grasping Feet of (a) an Owl, (b) a Hawk 



mer a disposition in keeping with its habits and 

 expression. 



It is a great Hawk — the Eagle — which we have 

 made the symbol of war, just as we have made the 

 gentle-appearing Dove the symbol of peace. Per- 

 haps if the less obvious characteristics of other birds 

 were as well known to us, the Woodpecker would 

 symbolize industry, the Nuthatch thrift, the Brown 

 Creeper, perseverance, and the Chickadee, good 

 cheer. 



Man has been more unjust to Hawks than to any 

 Cipher birds. The motto "give a dog a bad name" 



