ANECDOTES OF THE SPAEEOW HAWK. 



87 



One of tliese birds afforded an excellent example of the shyness and timidity 

 above mentioned. Although he was most kindly treated and liberally fed, he used to 

 scream in the most ear-piercing manner when approached, even by the person who 

 generally carried his food. The only companion whose presence he would tolerate, was a 

 little Skye terrier, named Eosy, and the two strangely matched comrades used to execute 

 the most singular gambols together, the dog generally taking the initiative, and persecuting 

 the Hawk until she forced him to fly. The great object of the dog was to catch the Hawk 

 by the wing, while the bird gave 

 his attention to flying at the dog's 

 throat, hanging on by his claws 

 and boxing her ears with his wings 

 until she was fain to shake him 

 off. Once, Eosy caught the Hawk 

 by his tan, and having the game all 

 her own way, careered round the 

 yard in great exultation, dragging 

 after her the unfortunate Hawk, 

 who could not possibly resist or 

 retaliate, and was reduced to scream 

 abjectly for succour. 



Another Sparrow Hawk which 

 I procured for some time was, 

 curiously enough, a most arrant 

 coward, and so far from chasing 

 the little birds, as was his duty, 

 and keeping them from eating the 

 pease and fruit, he allowed them 

 to bully him shamefully, and 

 would run away from a wagtail. 

 The little birds soon learned his 

 incapacity, and the blue titmice 

 used to watch the time when he 

 was fed, and run off with the 

 meat before Ms eyes. The bird 

 was not a young one when it 

 came into my possession, and had 

 probably been broken in spirit by 

 cruel treatment. 



The credit of the race was, 

 however, better kept up by a 

 Sparrow Hawk that belonged to 

 a lady friend, but it was not 

 taught any artificial accomplish- 

 ments. The bird took a great 

 fancy to its mistress, and would 

 perch on her shoulder or eat from 

 her hand. But it would permit 

 no other person to touch it, neither 



would it allow any one to approach its mistress while it was at hand. In such cases it 

 would fly savagely at the fancied foe, and was so determined in its attack upon the ankles, 

 that any one who attempted to cross its path was obliged to fend it off with an umbrella, 

 which it would fight and scold as it was being pushed away. 



It was a terrible thief, and crafty to a degree. Once, having made itself acquainted 

 with the fact that a partridge was hanging in the larder, it hung about the spot until 

 it saw a servant approaching the spot. As soon as she opened the door, the Hawk 

 shot noiselessly over her head, and sat quietly until she had retired. It then proceeded to 



SPARROW RAWK.—AccipUer Nisus., 



