114 The Sparrow Hawk 



his talons in such a way as to pull out a few feathers. 

 At this unexpected onslaught of the hawk, the noisy 

 band of jays retreated to the forest, leaving "Killy" 

 in the orchard. 



The sparrow hawk, if taken from the nest while 

 quite young, becomes one of the most charming of 

 bird pets. The beautiful coloring of the feathers, 

 the unusual intelligence and the graceful movements 

 of the bird endear him to the few who have really 

 come to know him. A friend of mine who had a 

 tame one several years ago, told me that of all the 

 birds he had tamed and loved, he cared most for his 

 sparrow hawk. This hawk seemed to show no affec- 

 tion for any one but its master; but of him it was very 

 fond, often, when he was out in the open field, alighting 

 most unexpectedly upon his head or shoulder It 

 spent the greater part of the time about the open 

 fields and orchard catching insects and mice; occa- 

 sionally it would go to the woods, being absent some- 

 times nearly all day. The hawk enjoyed nothing 

 better than hunting mice, if only his master would 

 overturn the flat stones and boards for him, and it 

 was surprising how expert he was in capturing them. 

 He would catch them even when his appetite was 

 satisfied, and, after killing them, would leave them 

 on the fence or the hmb of a tree. 



