RAILWAY ANIMALS.
[TO TIM EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR:1
Stn,—The smaller hawks have taken to the iron road as a regular means of getting their daily food. They may be seen in the Southern States of America, in India, and, I suppose, in many other sparsely inhabited districts, day after day, perched on the same tree or telegraph post awaiting the passage of the rare trains. They choose a place with few trees where the line runs through a fringe of shrubs. The hawk darts alongside, keeping rather over the train, and accompanies it until the required bird is driven out of its leafy shelter by the noise or concussion of the engine. There is a swoop, a puff of feathers, and the hawk follows no farther that day. To-morrow it will await the train passing at the same hour, and will again surely strike its quarry driven from cover by its ally the locomotive. I saw the same hawk carry out this programme for months. -He finally disappeared,—I fear he Was shot. Within six months he had a successor, who faithfully adhered to his programme.—I am, Sir, &c.,
S. N.
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