io8 RED-SHOULDERED HA WK 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 who ventured 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 i8th 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- 



