Page:Condor7(1).djvu/8

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Jan., i9o 5 I THE CONDOR 7 the carp and catfish fed about the edges of the ponds he had no trouble in catching plenty to eat. Twice we found carp over a foot in length in the aerie. On our last visit we picked up the head bones of seven catfish in the nest. The wild life of the red-tail fascinates me. He has an individuality that is as interesting as a person. He has a character as clearly marked as in any leathered creature I ever studied. The bleak winter winds that sweep the valley of the Col- umbia and drive the other birds to the southland, never bother him. This is his permanent home. He is not a vagabond. He is local in attachments and habits. This is his hunting grouud. He won it by years of defence. lie beats over the field and along the edge of the woods as regularly as the fishman casts his net. lie has his favorite perch. lie watches the pond as closely for carp as the farmer watches his orchard. liis routine of life is as marked as any inhabitant along the river. Nor can I believe he is lacking in the sentiment of home. lie adds sticks to his house and enlarges it year by year. Who can say that the old aerie is not fraught with many hawk memories of the past? a Portland, Oregon. a The photographs which illustrate this article are protected by copyright. The hawk here referred to is ttuteo bor ealis alurus.