Hawk, New Owl Join Yard Birds

Yard pigeons have it rough these days. First it was that owl. Now a large duck hawk has moved into the Memorial Hall tower, and a screech owl lives in Cambridge Common.

The owls and hawk are probably here for the winter, according to Ludlow Griscom, Research Curator of Zoology. He thinks they decided to stay because of the protection they receive in the city. Games laws allow the big birds to hunt in peace, while the easy food supply also keeps them around.

The duck hawk is a large and rare falcon. The pigeons will have a tough job trying to escape its speedy dive, for it is one of the fastest birds in the world.

The hawk won't bother the owls, Griscom says--at least as long as the pigeons last.

Meanwhile, students were coming in flocks to peer at the barred owl in his Yard roost. Record attendance at one time is 100, set yesterday morning.