Date: Tue, 16 Feb 1999 15:12:53 -0500
From: "Murray, Joanne L." <Joanne.Murray at alcoa.com>
Subject: sudden raptor

the scene was busy & cheerful at the homestead this morning.  a family
of goldfinches was breakfasting at the midair feeder, and two
squirrels were below, feeding on the leftovers.  i noted with some
satisfaction that the squirrels have resigned themselves that they are
not going to reach this feeder, but seem happy with what they do
receive from the slovenly finches.  by twos and threes, a herd of
migrating robins appeared on the grass.  there must have been 30 or 40
of them.  a small woodpecker perched at the feeder, and the finches
refused to eat as long as he was there.  suddenly, all the birds flew
away and the squirrels froze.  the hawk, although unseen, could be
deduced from his effects.  

after an eternity, the right squirrel stood at ease and resumed
eating, and some time later the left squirrel.  the robins disappeared
over the hill. i got dressed and went to work.

joanne