Hawk, Falcon Brought to Class by Lisa Stenza Its Wings Folded Agianst Its Body and Its Talons Managing Editor Pulled Close Toward Its Tail
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Hawk, falcon brought to class By Lisa Stenza its wings folded agianst its body and its talons Managing Editor pulled close toward its tail. The brown harris hawk spied the food and The falcon, which can reach speeds of headed for it. with powerful outspread wings almost 200 miles per hour during its descent, pumping gracefully. hits its prey full force, knocking it out of the The bird landed on top of its prey, gripping air. It follows the stunned, if not dead, prey to it with vise-like talons and shredding it with the ground and grips it with its talons, which its strong beak. Within seven seconds, what are extremely sharp and powerful. used to be a baby chick was devoured. As the falcon tears at its prey with its And all of it happened in a classroom. pointed beak, it spreads its wings to shield its The trained hawk was a part of a "Medieval food from the sight of predators. But if Day" program Thursdsay in Francelia But- contested, a falcon will fiercely defend a ler's Children's Literature course at UConn— catch. English 200 or "Kiddie Lit" to her students. As Robinson spoke, the falcon, which was Bill Robinson, professional Falconer and strapped to a leather glove on his arm. stirred director of the Raptor Rehabilitation and restlessly. It flapped its wings, which meas- Research Center in Saugerties. N.Y., brought ured about three feet from tip to tip. a peregrine falcon and the male hawk to the "She wants to fly," Robinson told the class to illustrate a lecture he gave on birds of apprehensive class. "But 1 can't let her go in prey, relating them to medieval times when here—she may think one of you is her lunch." the birds were used by man as hunters. The 250 students in the room laughed Robinson described the way a Falcon nervously. Last spring, during a similar catches its food. When hunting, a falcon will demonstration, a hawk released in the class circle high above its prey, which usually is a dove at the students. But the class was quickly Bill Robinson, a professional Falconer, displays to UCona's bird, for several seconds. Then the falcon evacuated and no one was injured. Children's Literature class one of the falcons he breeds rushes toward it, diving from high above, with SEE PAGE 2 and then sets free |Evan Roklen photo]. (Eatrntttimt latlg (Eampufi Serving Storrs Since 1896 Vol. LXXXVNo. 10 University of Connecticut Friday, September 11, 1981 U.S., Israel will unite against external threats WASHINGTON (AP) - The United States used tor the defense of Israel. and Israel have decided to undertake joint Describing the United States and Israel as military measures to guard the Middle East strategic partners with common interests." against the Soviet Union and other "external Haig said they face a threat from the Soviet threats," Secretary of State Alexander M. Union, its allies in the region and "terrorists Haig Jr. said Thursday. and the like." Haig, told reporters the two governments He said the agreement represents a were drafting a memorandum to formalize the compromise with Israel, which has long new ties set by President Reagan and Israeli sought closer military links with the United Prime Minister Menachem Begin during two States. "Our Israeli friends had a rather more days of talks at the White House. fulsome assessment...of what they would seek "We are talking about joint planning, in the period ahead," Haig said. collaborative studies and efforts which focus Begin, meanwhile, said the "agreement in on external threats to the region." Haig said. principle" with Reagan had not dampened his Specifically, he said the United States and opposition to the pending U.S. arms deal for Israel might conduct joint naval exercises and Saudi Arabia. Tom Hotchkiss, a fifth semester engineering student Begin would discuss with William Casey, wonders what that piece of paper on his windshield could be director of the Central Intelligence Agency, "The deal is no less dangerous to Israel's He'll soon find out (John Alexopoulos photo). sharing information gathered by U.S. spy security." Begin said after his third and last satellites. meeting with Reagan. He and Reagan hailed Additionally, Haig said, the United States the new understanding as a sturdy barrier to UConn police might store medical supplies and other Soviet penetration in the Middle East. Begin equipment in Israel for use by American said his defense minister. Ariel Sharon, would forces in an emergency. But Haig and Begin, meet Friday with Defense Secretary Caspar who held a separate news conference, Weinberger "to implement their weighty ticketing again stressed that American troops would not be decision." By Kevin lawther Staff Writer No. these aren't tickets for the Rolling Stones concert. More Freshmen than usual These tickets come in two varieties. The most common one is white and has Student Parking in bold print across the top. The other is yellow and has Town of Mansfield on join UConn marching band it. Both are rectangular and can be seen from a distance. By Carol Leonettl and the evening's rehearsal from the rest of the group Especially if it's your car's windshield it's on. Staff Writer is about to resume. during the preseason. Under If you do find a ticket flapping under your windshield, It's loud, crowded, and It's been another long day the watchful eyes of drill in- chances are it was put there by a person in a green for the 212 member group. structors (d.i.s.), they work uniform. UConn's Police Department employs seven meter hot. Beads of sweat drip down one person's very red The UConn marching on carriage, leg lifts and toe maids; five tag cars and two on library general security. band began the 1981-82 pointing. They march and Last year $70,000 was collected from UConn tickets. The face as he and another "freshman" talk about the season Aug. 27. From that chant up the hill to Putnam money is put into a general scholarship fund. day until classes started on to eat the lunch paid for by The yellow tickets are from the Town of Mansfield and next number. In the back of the room a Sept. 1 it was drilling, mar- the athletic department. generate money to help defray public service costs. After a ching, singing and playing "You feel like you're in driver receives five violations at UConn, a formal notice is trumpet player examines his instrument for leaking air, from 9 every morning to the Army," says Sue Shaw, sent out and parking privileges are suspended for the about 9:30 at night. a UConn senior and UCMB school year. and in the corner people gather around the piano and Dave Brogan, president of freshman. "They push you Cars are towed at the owner's expense if he parks in a fire the UCMB. said, "I had and make you feel like crap, lane, towing zone or loading zone. Service vehicles can use listen to a young man play. Suddenly all the noise made at least 10 new friends then they hug you." the loading zones, but only for 15 minutes at a time. by the end of my first day of At the end of practice After 4 p.m.. no parking lots are ticketed. becomes a buzz, then all is quiet. Dave Maker, director practice here four years there is much mental and So if you don't park where you're supposed to, you may of the UConn marching ago.'' physical stress. Legs cramp end up contributing to the general scholarship fund. band, has entered the room. Freshman are separated SEE PAGE 4 Page 2 Connecticut Daily Campus, Friday, September 11,1981 Isaac Asimov ...Falcon in classroom highlights talks FROM PAGE ONE the audience duck. By Tom Horner Robinson said it was safe this time. After he The hawk landed on the volunteer's arm and Staff Writer returned the faleon to its cage, he brought out swallowed the small morsel of food. To have The University will conclude its centennial celebration the hawk, a close relative of the falcon family. him return. Robinson placed another chicken activities next week with a three-day lecture series called He said males, called tiercels, are about half leg on his gloved arm, and the bird flew to "Frontiers of the Future." with author Isaac Asimov and the size of females, which are stronger. him. historian Arthur Schlesinger Jr. included in a cast of noted Several women in the'class applauded. The hawk calmly stayed on the trainer's arm speakers. 'But they have bigger mouths." Robinson as the class applauded loudly. He explained Yale President A. Bartlett Giamatti and UConn President added. the dangers the birds of prey now face. "They John A. DiBiaggio will speak about the future of higher He said falcons and hawks have excellent are close to extinction." he said. "But now education. eyesight, eight to ten times better than there are federal laws prohibiting the killing of Tuesday's theme will be "Natural Resources: The humans. Black patches under their eyes these birds." Challenge to Technology." Douglas M. Costle, an' reduce glare. Robinson explained the birds eating habits. environmental consultant and former director of the U.S. To illustrate the hawk's keen eyesight. "They swallow every part of their prey," Environmental Protection Agency will speak in the Robinson asked for a volunteer from the Robinson said. "Anything which is in- afternoon.