File:Our own birds - a familiar natural history of the birds of the United States (1879) (14748334594).jpg

Identifier: ourownbirdsfamil00bai (find matches)
Title: Our own birds : a familiar natural history of the birds of the United States
Year: 1879 (1870s)
Authors: Baily, William L. (William Lloyd), 1828-1861 Cope, E. D. (Edward Drinker), 1840-1897, ed
Subjects: Birds
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.B. Lippincott & Co.
Contributing Library: Smithsonian Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Smithsonian Libraries

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ed my notice,and I discovered it lying near a log. I took it home,named it Nero/ and provided it with small birds,at which it would scramble fiercely, although yet un-able to tear their flesh, in which I assisted it. In afew weeks it grew very beautiful, and became so vo-racious, requiring a great number of birds daily, thatI turned it out to see how it would shift for itselfThis proved a gTatification to both of us. It soonhunted for grasshoppers and other insects, and onreturning from my walks, I now and then threw adead bird high in the air, which it never failed toperceive from its stand, and toward which it launchedwith such quickness as sometimes to catch it beforeit fell to the ground. The little fellow attracted thenotice of his brothers, brought up hard by, who, ac-companied by their parents, at first gave it chase, andforced it to take refuge behind one of the window-shutters, where it usually passed the night; but soonbecame gentler toward it, as if forgiving its desertion.
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Vppe7-fig.—Siy.u-in\\ ll.avk. L^wcr Jij.— Vf^inn Hawk.16 (181) THE DUCK HAWK. 183 My bird was fastidious in the choice of food, wouldnot touch a Woodpecker, however fresh, and as hegrew older refused to eat birds that were in the leasttainted. To the last he continued kind to me, andnever faikd to return at night to his favorite roostbehind the window-shutter. His courageous dispo-sition often amused the family, as he would sail offfrom his stand and fall on the back of a tame duck,which, setting up a loud ^ quack, would waddle offin great alarm, with the Hawk sticking to her. But,as has often happened to adventurers of similar spirit,his audacity cost him his life. A hen and her broodchanced to attract his notice, and he flew to secureone of the chickens, but met one whose parentalaffection inspired her with a courage greater thanhis own. The conflict, which was severe, ended theadventures of poor Nero. The Duck Hawk is probably the swiftest-wingedHawk with which we are acquainte

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