134 BIRD PARADISE 



have four species that are commou here — all of 

 them fine singers. 



I saw on my recent journey south quite a 

 number of hawks, large and small. They were 

 far enough south to escape the snow, and seemed 

 entirely at home. One large hen-hawk was en- 

 gaged in the pastime of soaring high in the air. 

 It was a bright, clear day, and the fellow ap- 

 peared to be enjoying every moment of his out- 

 ing. Not far from him were two or three turkey- 

 buzzards — first-class rivals of the hawks in the 

 art of soaring. With clear fields and warm 

 weather I could readily understand that the con- 

 dition of my old acquaintances was greatly im- 

 proved over their winter condition at the North. 

 But I could not help propounding the question, 

 '' Will these bare fields yield the fellows any large 

 supply of food ? " The thick grass carpet which 

 we have at the North is not seen at the South. 

 With US this carpet furnishes the favorite resort 

 for innumerable bugs, grubs and mice. The 

 hawks know this fact and rely upon the supply 

 for the main part of their food. Of course in the 

 winter the doors of this great cupboard are all 

 tightly shut. In the South they are all wide 



