Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-07-22
FEATHERS CHASING THE FUR
Lively Race between Jack Rabbit and
Hawk and Legs Beat
wings.

All the morning the four staunch horses
had been pulling the heavy stage coach
over a 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
out of the road, which brought us to our
senses. A large western redtail hawk that
was circling over our heads had cast It's
passing shadow on the sand directly before
the horses, causing them to shy.
We commented on the rather singular
coincldent and watched the big bird as, In
large circles, ne gracefully fioated through
the air, with scarcely a movement of the
wings.
Suddenly a "jackrabbit," started by the
rattle Of the stage, jumped from its cover
in the shade of yucca plant and shook
its legs over the sandy expanse and shook
fully fifteen feet apart. II had not made
ten jumps when the hawk spied II, and
half falling, half tumbling 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 1t was being chased, but on seeing the
hawk It bent every muscle in its sinewy
legs in an effort TO outstrip its assailant
Gradually the hawk drew near until he
his wings, he dropped through the air like
a falling meteor. with feet extended and
talons outstretched he was about to snatch
up his prey, when the Jack stopped short
and squatted fiat on the sand. The hawk
overshot his mark a foot or more. but in
stead of turning back, he arose in the same
graceful curve in which he descended, thus
describing a large u.
"a had he eta than
the Jack" was again coursing over the
desert like a shot from a gun. It had
gained fully fifty yards before the hawk
overlook II and again attacked It. 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. clinging
to each other and watching with bated
breath the outcome of the struggle.
THE Jack can't keep that pace UP much
longer; it's pretty well tuckered OUT
now. The hawk'n catch 1t next time sure, "
exclaimed the driver as the combatants
gradually drew near. But before the hawk
had a chance again to swoop down the
Jack" reached a bunch of chaparral,
where Il took shelter.
The hawk crcled over the bushes and
then dove headlong into them, but the
! Jack" moved its position as the bird was
about-to strike it and again escaped death
The lack" evidently thought II safer to
fight in the open than in the bushes, for az
the hawk arose II 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 covered by the hare
but before he was ready for another swoor
I the tack" had outstripped his pursuer
and dashing up TO one OF the steers, darted
between his front and hind legs and
| stopped There IL remained.
The hawk seemed to be completely out
wtted He circled about a few times
then, as II thoroughly disguised, sailed of
! 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 shield from the moment that
It left the chsparral, but whether 1t did
so because It thought that the hawk would
be afraid Of so large an animal as a steer
or because the creature afforded better
protection from onslaughts from above, Is
| question that the reader will have tc
solve for himself.-St. Nicholas