SPARROW-HAWK. 
169 
the hands of more able or patient guardians proved, 
not only docile, hut amiable in its disposition. About 
four years ago, a young Sparrow-hawk was procured 
and brought up by a person who was fond of rear- 
ing a particular breed of pigeons, which he greatly 
prized on account of their rarity. By good ma- 
nagement and kindness, he so far overcame the 
natural disposition of this Hawk, that in time it 
formed a friendship with the pigeons, and associated 
with them. At first the pigeons were rather shy of 
meeting their natural enemy on such an occasion, 
but they soon became familiarized, and approached 
without fear. It was curious to observe the play- 
fulness of the Hawk, and his perfect good humour 
during feeding-time ; for he received his portion 
without any of that ferocity with which birds of 
prey usually take their food, and merely uttered a 
cry of lamentation, when disappointed of his morsel. 
When the feast was over, he would attend the 
pigeons in their flight round and round the house 
and gardens, and perch with them on the chimney- 
top or roof of the house, and this voyage he never 
failed to take early every morning, when the pigeons 
took their exercise. At night he retired and roosted 
with them in the dovecot, and though for some days 
after his first appearance, he had it all to himself, 
the pigeons not liking such an intruder, they shortly 
became good friends, and he was never known even 
to touch a young one, unfledged, helpless, and 
tempting as they must have been. He seemed quite 
unhappy at any separation from them, and when 
purposely confined in another abode, he constantly 
uttered most melancholy cries, which were changed 
