220 BtJTEO BOKEALIS — RED TAILED HAWK. 



on tall trees. Some years ago we obtained of a farmer's 

 boy a young living specimen, which he had reared from 

 the nest. At that time it was nearly full grown ; the plu- 

 mage did not differ much from that of the adult. The tail 

 was not red colored, as in the older bird, but barred. This 

 bird became as thoroughly domesticated as an animal of 

 its fierce disposition could be, and was in our possession 

 for nearly two years. We kept it in a coop with a high 

 perch, and would often take it out for an airing. Some- 

 times, when tired of being kex)t in too long, our Hawk 

 would tear down the wooden bars of his cage, come out 

 and fly around, but would generally return to us when 

 called. At other times, when perched on our own or a 

 neighbor's house, he would remain for hours. He was 

 great on rats, and would kill them with a single grasp of 

 his talons; never troubled cats, but would let our own puss 

 sit in the coop beside him- Poultry gave him a wide berth, 

 and he was an excellent protection to our garden from the 

 scratching propensities of the biddies. Occasionally he 

 would become mischievous, or rather too familiar, for he 

 would sweep from the top of a fruit tree, and alight on the 

 back or shoulder of some one of the family, uttering his 

 terrible scream. Without intending it his claws hurt so that 

 he was rather a rough playfellow. Unfortunately he was 

 killed by a boy, who struck him over the head with a hoe. 

 During the time he was with us, he never attemi^ted to 

 leave, although birds of his own species would circle high 

 in the air above him, and he would answer scream for 

 scream. 



The Red Tailed Hawk is commonly called the Hen Hawk, 

 in consequence of its fondness for poultry, and farmers 

 make war on it in retaliation. They are strong, fierce birds, 

 and prey on everything wild or tame that the}'^ can master. 

 After discovering a small animal, the}^ alight on the top of 

 some neighboring tree, and then descend with a rapid 

 swoop. They seldom miss their aim. The male and female 

 join in hunting the squirrel, and take opposite sides of the 



