38 



BRITISH BIRDS. 



havoc for some days among the newly flown swallows 

 and martins, which having but lately left their nests, 

 had not acquired sufficient power or command of wing 

 to defy their enemies. 



One family is described as having a pet sparrow- 

 hawk. Harry, as he was called, became tolerably tame 

 a few weeks after his arrival, would take food from the 

 hand, and follow them about, even in the house. Though 

 the kitchen was not at other times his favourite apart- 

 ment, he always visited it when meat was roasting. He 

 was fed on dead birds and mice, when these could be 

 procured. Cruel, as it certainly is, to expose a Hve bird 

 to the torture of fear, sometimes one was given him : 

 then the poor little creature did not at first attempt to 

 stir, but crouched down with its breast close to the 

 ground ; after a few minutes it would move, when Harry, 

 who had been standing perfectly still, would give it a 

 pat with its foot to make it quiet. If two or three per- 

 sons were standing around, some minutes would pass 

 in this way, and, at last, Harry would give one instan- 

 taneous peck on the head of the bird, and it was dead. 

 Then, but never till then, did he commence his meal, 

 always eating in the same manner, with great nicety and 

 neatness, and leaving only the strong feathers of the 

 wings and tail. 



