The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-11-28

A MARAuDER CAPruRED.-Fo some time
past it has been known that the chicken
hawk has been occasionally lowering about
the Square, attracted there by the plump
sparrows that accumulate so much fat with
the nutritious food they SO abundantly en-
joy. They have sailed in from country
fields, where birds were poor and in fewer
numbers, to dine upon the tender and juicy
little chirpers that are so numerous in the
city. We occasionally catch a glimpse OF
the swallow-tailed depredators as, after
flap or two OF their wings, they adroitly sail
in between the elms on the Square and
steallhily select a perch from which they
may pick up a sparrow. The little birds
have become very much afraid of them, and
they find it more difficult than at first to get
a meal. These hawks are real "pot-hunt-
ers,' and consume their game on the spot.
They watch eagerly with both greed and
vigilance, and their vicious purposes are
known to both squirrels and birds. The
marauders are not strong enough to bear
off til e squirrel, but then he does not like
to see such gentlemen about, and the mo-
ment he appears birds and squirrels scam
per to their hiding-plaees. -.
One of the marauders entered the Square
and caused the usual futter on dlstin-
ouished arrival. The guardian genius OF
the place cried out, Birds, to your nests
SQUIRRELS, to your hiding places" and in an
instant all were escaping as ii for their
lives. The enemy, bent ON game, would
have gratifed himself, but Just then gen.
tleman entered upon the scene with gun in
hand and discharged it at the bloody in
vader. lie was good shot; for the result
was broken wing and Il shot in the eye for
the hawk, who, being disabled, clasped
| with claw and beak the limb upon which he
sat. There he held on, in q painful condi-
ton, pondering over his crimes, while the
squirrels and the birds furtiveIy stole
glances at him; yet, like FALsTAFF, fearing
he might be counterfeiting, dared not VEN
ture forth. Close to the limb the bird OF prey
clung, in an attitude more like that of prayer
than the appearance which he bore when
he entered the grounds. Then he seemed
to g smell the blood OF an Englishman =,
| (sparrow), and swore he would have some.
His powerless wing tapped with the Wlnd'
and despair could be read in bis clinging
and in his disarranged coat. Finally lie 1eii
helpless to the ground, never again to N.Y.
never again to catch little birds on the wing
or spread CONSERVATION on the Square. A
crowd digni6cd the scene OF the death OF
the heartless marauder. The colonies OF
emigrants, squirrels and birds, most cheer
fully enjoyed the death Of their enemy, and
in iubilant resolutions thanked their gene
rous ally for their deliverance.
The birds on the Square are fat, and the
hawks are very much tempted by their
! numbers as well as condition. The squir-
rels are also in very fine order, and the gos-
| hawk who has been seen to fly through the
Square and over the Governors mansion
may be soon making sporting visits to
1 hunt Bunuie. 1t should be considered a
kind act to shoot the marauders, and we
hope the guns may be at band for timely
use in protecting the little, occupants OF the
Square. The squirrels should by no means
/ be pernitted to fall q prey to both dogs and
hawks. They are D real blessing to the city
people.
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