108 RED-SHOULDERED HAWK IN CAPTIVITY. 
chickens proved too strong a temptation. With the dogs 
and cats of the neighborhood it appeared to be on very good 
terms, and to be not in the least afraid of them. Although 
unconfined it never attempted extensive flights, seeming to 
have no such inclination, beyond short excursions into the 
neighboring yards, from which it always before dark returned 
to its perch. In moving about the yard it usually hopped 
upon the ground, at times making use of its wings to facil- 
itate its movements. One day a boy wearing black hose 
visited the yard, and in passing the Hawk gave it a thought- 
less kick. It subsequently never seemed to have forgotten 
the association of this insult with the black stockings, for if 
ever on its perch in the back of the yard as the boys passed 
on their way home from school, it would watch intently until 
one wearing black hosiery came along, when, raising itself to 
its full height, it would scream incessantly until the cause 
of disturbance had passed out of sight. So long as the boy 
remained outside the fence no molestation was attempted, 
but woe to any youngster wearing the offending article of 
apparel whoventured into the yard. The Hawk, seeming 
to consider such a one the perpetrator of the original offense, 
would immediately jump from its perch, half hop, half fly 
across the lawn, and though under ordinary circumstances 
not at all ugly to strangers, would without hesitation fasten 
itself with beak and talons upon the intruder. So vicious 
were these attacks that considerable force was usually nec- 
essary before it could be dislodged. When full grown. this 
bird was taken to the country and there allowed the freedom 
of the farm. It finally, however, became so restless as to 
necessitate the clipping of its wings, and also soon after- 
ward, its almost continuous confinement. It moreover 
gradually became fierce toward strangers, and if it happened 
to have been recently annoyed, sometimes manifested its ill 
temper even toward its owner. On the 18th of February, 
1890, it escaped and wandered off, walking upon the top 
rail of a fence for nearly a quarter of a mile, finally disap- 
