The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1889-07-10
FEATHERED BRIGANDS.
Something About the Destructive
Pests OF the Air.
Pecuiiarlties of the Various Species of
Hawks-Their Great Capacity for
Harm-One Kind Friend
of tho Farmer.


of tho Farmer.
Among the many enemies which
threaten to exterminate our game birds
the powerful hawks of the air stand
almost in the front rank, occupying a
position, as it were, among the feath-
cred tribes that can only be likened to
brigands. Powerful of flight, keen of
eye swift us shooting arrows in their
descent, bold and rapacious in their
habits, and wild and rowing in their
continual search for prey, they form a
species of enemy that few creatures,
whether they be feathered or furred,
can escape when bounced upon in the
open. Among these terrible warriors
OF the air the buzzard- hawks occupy
first place by virtue of their size and
strength. East of the Mississippi four
species are found, the great red tailed
hawk being the commonest and largest.
Its loud scream, resembling the sylla-
Bile kdl, uttered now and then as it scars
around in great circles, is familiar to
the ears OF most hunters. Its majestic
appearance in the air has often been
the theme of poets songs; but the
sportsman sees nothing but fair
game" in the circling creature
sailing two to four hundred feet above
his head. The shotgun is not of much
use for these birds, as they rarely ap-
proach within ordinary range of such
an implement, but the stout body and
long wings make q fair target for a
rifle ball. When the bird has made
half OF its circle, and comes up against
the wind, its fight is much slower, and
the hunters chance has come. The
birds live almost entirely off such
dainty food as ruffed grouse, sharp
tailed grouse, quail, rabbit, spruce
partridge and migratory birds.
Nearly as large as the red-tailed
hawk, but less majestic in it's flight
and habits, is Swainson's buzzard,
which prefers to obtain its food by de-
coylng birds from the bush, and then
bouncing upon them from a short dis
lance. Birds smaller than quails form
their principal food. while many in
'ects are devoured by them. To have
sport with this bird, one must brighten
u OH its nest, when the cunning Great
ure Will limp and flutter away as if
severely wounded. Follow it suffi-
Client distance from the nest, and it
Will suddenly rise up in the air and
|sall off to other parts. A fine shot is
then offered. 1t has wing expanse
Oh some forty-nine inches or more
which offers fair target for ball.
The red-shouldered hawk is trife
smaller than either of the above, and
lar moro timid in its habits. 1t seldom
ventures outside of the forest, where it
obtains its food by perching itself on
some old stump of tree, and sitting
notlonless until some prey approaches
US resting place. The sight of an
Enemy coming through the forest is
Ine signal for alarm, and it imme-
aately sails up in the air to great
heights, But just after it has finished
hearty meal, the gourmand becomes
% gorged that rapid flying is almost
impossible, and it can not even sail in
ne air for q long time at once. The
iunter can at such times often get good
nots at the creature. The broad
winged hawk resembles it somewhat,
MY the latter is more daring and
'eree in its attacks. Hunger will often
iahe II so bold that it will seize
game from before the very
run of the hunter.
supplementing these large brirands
y. the air are many smaller species
mich. though not SO noble game, are
M more common and easier of capt
ka Every duck-hunter is familiar
"a that destructive creature known
4 the peregrine, or duck-hawk,
powers of which have
fn known for years. 1t does
a hesitate to attack game as
pc and even larger than itself, and
well-aimed, arrow-like blow seldom
es Its victim chance to retaliate.
lew England it is called the great
pa hawk, and it may be found all
our Atlantic coast every year,
wing close on the heels of the
g and autumn focks of ducks.
hight OF the bird when in quest of
Is something astonishing, and it
ommon occurrence for it to over
'ne heet-winged carrier-pigeon.
In falconers train the birds for
press purpose of overtaking car
seons' which makes them of G
service in times of war. The |
aae dash Of the bird make it ,