Tuesday, 17 March 2020

BYGONE BIRDING: SPARROWHAWK CRASHED THROUGH KITCHEN WINDOW

Sparrowhawk - kitchen window pane was smashed


From The Zoologist journal, February, 1869


Sparrowhawk's fateful swoop for canary in a cage


Sir -

An instance of the boldness of the sparrowhawk when in pur-
suit of its prey occurred at my house about four o'clock yesterday. 

A crash of broken glass was heard in the kitchen, and on a servant going to ascertain the cause, the hawk was found fluttering in the window and was secured without resistance. 

It had dashed in through one of the panes, making a round hole five or six inches in diameter. 

A cage containing a canary was standing on a table close to the window, and this had evidently tempted the hawk. 

When first caught it seemed rather stunned, but soon recovered, and was able to fly away, apparently no worse for the adventure. 

I take this opportunity to mention that my observations regarding the nesting of this bird lead me to differ in opinion from many people, who allege that it seldom builds its own nest.

Several have come under my notice during the last few years, and, in each case, the nest has certainly been newly built by the hawk itself. 

James Murton
Silverdale
West Lancaster

January 16, 1869 

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