SI'AKKO \V-IIAWK. 1 7'3 



tlie hands of more able or patient guardians proved, 

 not only docile, but amiable in its disposition. About 

 four years ago, a young Sparrow-hawk was prorun-d 

 and brought up by a person who was fond of rear- 

 ing a particular breed of Pigeons, which he greatly 

 prized on account of their rarity. ]>y good ma- 

 nagement and kindness, he so far overcame tin; 

 natural disposition of tliis Hawk, that in time it 

 formed a friendship with the Pigeons, and associated 

 with them. At first the Pigeons were rather shy of 

 meeting their natural enemy on such an occasion, 

 but they soon became familiarized, and approached 

 without fear. It was curious to observe the play- 

 fulness of the JIawk, and his perfect good humour 

 during feeding-time; for he received his portion 

 without any of that ferocity with which birds of 

 prey usually take their food, and merely uttered a 

 cry of lamentation, when disappointed of his morsel. 

 When the feast was over, he would attend the 

 Pigeons in their flight round and round the house 

 and gardens, and perch with them on the chimney- 

 top or roof of the house, and this voyage he never 

 failed to take early every morning, when the Pigeons 

 took their exercise. At night he retired and roosted 

 with them in the dovecot, and though for some days 

 after his first appearance, he had it all to himself, 

 the Pigeons not liking such an intruder, they shortly 

 became good friends, and he was never known even 

 to touch a young one, unfledged, helpless, and 

 tempting as they must have been. He seemed quite 

 unhappy at any separation from them, and when 

 purposely confined in another abode, he constantly 

 uttered most melancholy cries, which were changed 



