Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1902-10-16

hsh they staggered to their feet,
quacklng very much like ducks, lying
down again as soon as their hunger
was satisfied. The larger one main
tanned his lead, and no doubt will al
ways be bigger and more powerful
bird than his nest mate. AS they
grew, their appetite increased. and IN
few days they were eating between
81 and pounds OF solid fish a day
between them.
AS they grew older and as then
wings became longer, we used to take
them out into the fields and woods to
experiment with them. One day we
had them out in this way, when one
OF them, perched on the outstretched
branch OF a tree, made an attempt to
fly. At first he sank toward the
ground, but finding that by using his
wings he could hold his OWE, he
worked harder and harder and pres
entity rose into the air.
Away he flew for half a mile, then
wheeled and flew back over our heads
and out OF sight over the top OF a
wood. Thinking he might have
aIlghted within mile or two. we
spent the rest of the afternoon in
searching for him, but without sue
cess, and we never expected to see
him again. Next morning. however.
my brother was walking through a
wood, not far from the house, when
he heard the well-known notes of the
bird, and, looking up, spied the fish
hawk in tree. The bird was evident
ly hungry, and seeing a friend ap-
proach, no doubt he considered it
good time to call for aid. After a
deal Of trouble he was captured and
brought home.
few days later we had him out
again, and again he flew away. AS
we returned home without him, my
brother remarked: What a Joke it
would be if we found him on his
perch in the garden"This was the
most unlikely possibility we could
think of, yet there we found the
hawk, tearing to pieces the remains
OF fish. Nor did he attempt to fly
away when we approached, so we de
cided that he should have his liberty
and do as he pleased
For the first few days we kept the
other hawk tethered with a strap on
her leg, thinking that her presence
might be an additional inducement
for the free bird to return. Soon.
however, we set her at liberty also,
and ever since they have been more
like homing pigeons than wild hawks.
They roost on the chimney and
come down every day for the fish
which we always have ready for
them. If they are not bothered thew
eat the fish in their old nest or in a
nearby perch, but if a stranger al,
breaches they will take up their food
IN one foot and fly with it either to
the chimney, a neighbours windmill.
or any convenient dead tree.
1t was not long before they began
to fish a little on their own account III
a small lake not far from the house
| was a witness to one of the first al,
tempts, and it was not by any means
a success. After sailing about over
the water for several minutes. the
hawk evidently saw a fish, for he
hung futtering over the spot, and
then made a very slow and clumsy
plunge. The fish had plenty of time
to escape, and no doubt he did so.
The hawk disappeared under the
water, but presently came to the sur
face, where for several seconds he
vafnly beat his wings in an effort to
rise into the air. Then he lay quite
still, and | was so afraid that he was
going to drown that | began to I'M
dress to go to his assistance. A mo-
ment later, however, he made
mighty effort, arose dripping wet, and
squared away for his old perch on
the chimney, where he dried his
plumage in the sun.
When feeding, or at any other time
they allow us to approach and pat
them on the back, though if the
bigger one is very hungry he resents
the nonsense by striking right and
left with his great hooked bill.
| Whether they will go south with
| their kinsmen when the weather be,
comes cooler, or be original and stay
in Massachusetts all winter, remains
to be seen. One thing is certain, if
they decide to stay they will be most
welcome guests.-Ernest Harold
Baynes in Boston Herald.