THE HAWKS 



• OUTLAWS AMONG BIRDS 



{Figs. 4-6, 9-12) 



AWKS are the warriors of the bird 

 world. Fierce, aggressive, usually 

 untamable, with spirit unbroken by 

 imprisonment, they neither ask nor 

 give mercy. Raptores, or Robber 

 Birds, the ornithologist calls them, 

 but I do not think that they deserve this title. A 

 robber, as we understand the term, is one who not 

 only breaks the law but usually does so in the most 

 sneaking, despicable way. But the Hawk:^ obey, 

 they do not break the law, and they do it with no 

 attempt at concealment. 



Nature's laws demand that certain forms of life 

 shall live upon other forms of life. Every creature 

 has its special enemies which prevent it from be- 

 coming unduly abundant. So it is the Hawks' 

 duty to prey upon mice and shrews, lizards, frogs, 

 birds and other animals to prevent them from be- 

 coming so abundant that they would overrun the 



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