The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-08-19
FEATHERS VS.. FUR.
Race Between Rabbit and Hawk Was
Won BY Jack"
From St. Nicholas.

From St. Nicholas.
All the morning the four staunch horses
had been pulling the heavy stage coach
over sandy desert in Southern Texas.
Both the driver and myself were drowsy,
and nodded from the effects of the scorch-
ing sun. Suddenly the lead horses jumped
off the road, which brought us to our
senses. A large western redtail hawk that
was circling over our heads had cast its
passing shadow on the sand directly be-
fore the horses, causing them to shy.
We commented on the rather singular
coincidence and watched the big bird as,
in large circles, he gracefully hoated
through the air, with scarcely a movement
of the wings.
Suddenly a 'jack-rabbit," startled by
the rattle of the stage, jumped from its
cover in the shade of a yucca plant, and
shook its leg over the sandy expanse in
leaps fully fifteen feet apart. 1t had not
made ten jumps when the hawk spied it,
and half falling, half tumblng through
the air he descended to within fifty feet
of the earth and started in pursuit The
'jack' had gained a good lead before
1t discovered that II was being chased,
but on seeing the hawk, 1t bent every
muscle in it's sinewy legs in an effort to
outstrip it's assailant
Gradually the hawk drew near until he
was almost over the Jack" then, bowling
his wings, he dropped through the air
like falling meteor. With feet extended
and talons outstretchedf he was about to
snatch up his prey, which the jack
stopped short and squatted fiat on the
sand. The hawk overshot his mark foot
or more, but instead of turning back he
arose in the same graceful curve in which
he descended, thus describing a large U.
- oa1f haF1
the Jack was again coursing over the
desert like a shot from a gun. 1t had
gained fully fifty yards before the hawk
overlook 1t and again attacked 1t. once
more the Jack" eluded the charge in the
same manner.
BY this time the chase had become so
exciting that the driver halted his horses
and we both stood up on the seat. cling
ing to each other and watching with
bated breath the outcome of the struggle.
1.-THE jack can't keep that pace up
much longer; it's pretty well tuckered out
now The hawk'll catch it next time,
sure" exclaimed the driver as the COM
batants gradually drew near. But before
the haw had chance again to swoop
down the Jack" reached a bunch of
chaparral. where it took shelter.
The hawk crcled over the bushes and
then dove headlong into them, but the
Jack mONed llS pOSllioh dS liiC bAid as
about to strike it and again escaped
death.
The Jack evidently thought 1t safer TO
fight in the open than in the buses, for
as the hawk arose it started off again,
this time heading for a bunch of cattle
that was feeding about 200 yards away.
The hawk made his fourth unsuccessful
attack while the distance was being cover
ed by the hare, but before he was ready
for another swoop the Jack had out
stripped his pursuer. and, dashing up to
one of the steers, darted between his
front and mind legs and stopped. There
1t remained.
The hawk seemed to be completely out
witted. He circled about a few times;
then, as If thoroughly Disguised, sailed Off
and was soon lost to view.
The Jack was still under the steer
when we drove on. 1t was quite evident
to us that the Jack" intended to use the
steer for a shelter from the moment that
1t left the chaparrel, but whether 1t did
SO because 1t thought that the hawk would
be afraid of so large an animal as steer,
or because the creature afforded betted
protection from onslaughts from above, is
a question that the reader will have to
solve for himself.