Birmingham state herald., 1897-04-01
TALK ABOUT HAWKS.
THESE FIERCE BUT GRACEFUL BIRDS
 AND THEIR PREY.

Tn the Middle Ages Species of Hawk
 Called ..Noble Falcons" Were Trained
 Hunters-The Several Kinds and Their
 Methods of Attack-Cnn Catch Ducks.
 Back in the middle ages, before the dis covery of gunpowder hunting with the hid of the falcon was as common as 1t now is with guns and dogs. The bird fanciers of those days named certain group of hawks the "noble falcons" These com prised the long winged hawks, which take their quarry while it is in motion, never approaching it stealthily but always mak- ing their presence known by flying aloft, while watching for a chance to sweep downward upon the prey.
 To the naturalist there are few sights of moro absorbing interest than to watch one of these noble falcons while pursuing a chosen victim. Yet it is anything but an easy task to keep sn eye upon it, in case 1t extends its search for meal over a large extent of country. If, however, the falcon is hunting through an open valley, the naturalist, mounted on a tall tree or build ing, has favorable opportunity to watch it, especially if aided by powerful field glass Every motion of the bird may thus be seen to advantage, except perhaps its sudden downward dash when its quarry is discovered.
 The smallest of our winged fauna, the tiny "dicky birds as our English friends call them, the sparrows, wrens and tiny fly catchers, dread the handsome and active sparrow hawk as their most inveterate foe. Almost thrushlike in size, color and easy hight-when not in Q hurry-this smallest of the noble falcons is not easily detected until seen at close quarters, but he is al- most as sure of bis victim as are his larger relatives
 The pigeon hawk, size larger than tho sparrow hawk, is equally swift, ferocious and death dealing. Still moro dreaded perhaps by tho smaller birds is the sharp shinned hawk. Its larger cousin, the coop CTS hawk, is an active hunter of more sig able prey, such as the wild and tame pigeons, half grown barnyard fowls, doves, quails and grouse
 There is really little chance to escape from the onset of these two formidable hunters. Liko a swift winged fate, they seldom come but to kill, and the anxious mother bird knows not which of her flock will be taken. These hawks, when not poising aloft, fly silently through the woods, or low over the open fields and thickets, and their presence is seldom sus- pected until they are right upon their prey. Then comes swift stroke a clutch of the long, keen talons, and the 'kill'' is as in- stantaneous as that of rife bullet
 As the undisputed leader of the noble falcons, the very prince of these robber barons of the air, we may name the pere- grine falcon, better known in our country as the duck hawk. This dreaded hunter sights flock, or single bird, flying so high as to preclude its possible return to the ground before he can reach it. He then actually flies downward, adding the tre- mendous impetus of his wings to the force of gravity, and thus attaining speed that the eye can barely follow.
 As he hears the earth he sets his wings, and, without checking his speed, alters by short curve the direction of his flight from the vertical to the horizontal. Thus sweeping along parallel to the earth, with speed that the observer compares with that of cannon ball, he oyertakes the i'll fated duck--itself one of the swiftest of