THE SPARROW-HAWK. 
of a sparrow-hawk which he tamed, and which was all its life 
a faithful servant. He says : — “ Ho bird can be more easily 
raised and kept than this beautiful bird. I once found a 
young male that had dropped from the nest before it was 
able to fly. Its cries for food attracted my notice, and I 
discovered it lying near a log. It was large, and covered with 
soft white down, through which the young feathers protruded. 
Its little blue bill and great grey eyes make it look not unlike 
an owl. I took it home, named it Hero, and provided it with 
small birds, at which it would scramble fiercely, although yet 
unable to tear their flesh, in which I assisted. In a few weeks 
it grew very beautiful, and became so voracious, requiring a 
great number of birds daily, that I turned it out, to see- how it 
would shift for itself. This proved a gratification to both of 
us ; it soon hunted for grasshoppers and other insects, and on 
returning from my walks I now and then threw a dead bird 
high in the air, which it never failed to perceive from its stand, 
and towards which it launched with such quickness as some- 
times to catch it before it fell to the ground. 
“ The little fellow attracted the notice of his brethren, 
brought up hard by, who, accompanied by their parents, at 
first gave it chase, and forced it to take refuge behind one of 
the window-shutters, where it usually passed the night, but 
soon became gentler towards it, as if forgiving its desertion. 
My bird was fastidious in the choice of food; would not 
touch a woodpecker, however fresh; and, as he grew older, 
refused to eat birds that were in the least tainted. 
“ To the last he continued kind to me, and never failed to 
return at night to his favourite roost behind the window- 
shutter. His courageous disposition often amused the family, 
as he would sail off from his stand, and fall on the back of a 
tame duck, which, setting up a loud quack, would waddle off 
in great alarm, with the hawk sticking to her. But, as has 
often happened to adventurers of a similar spirit, his audacity 
cost him his life. A hen and her brood chanced to attract his 
notice, and he flew to secure one of the chickens, but met one 
whose parental affection inspired her with a courage greater 
than his own. The conflict, which was severe, ended the 
adventures of poor Hero.” 
£51 
