By Nancy Cowing Umphres

It had been a very stressful few days and my mother and I had just arrived back from yet another emergency visit to the McAllen Heart Hospital. The doctor had scheduled an electrical cardioversion as soon as he could work her in, but that was still two weeks away and her heart was not cooperating. Her pacemaker was keeping her heart from beating too slowly, but it could not control the rapid, racing beating that made her lightheaded and exhausted. On top of all this my husband Robert had some very disturbing news to tell me.
I have written often about a Harris's hawk named Legolas who has lived in our area for over ten years and happens to have a crippled leg. His spirit and determination to overcome his disability has been an inspiration to me. When my own health has been a challenge I have looked to Legolas (see the Sept. 2002 issue of LareDOS for the story of Legolas). Not only has he struggled with his own disability but he has recently taken on the care of an old, weak companion hawk.
It took me awhile to figure out what was happening. Weeks can go by without a visit from my feathered friend, especially with all the road work that has been going on in our area. I usually only see him on weekends, when the crews of strangers have taken off and birdsong and the smell of sage replace the roar of engines and the stench of diesel. He arrives quietly and sits waiting patiently. He watches in silence as I make my rounds feeding and cleaning cages. I always know he is there. I can feel his presence even before I see him.
I had finished my rounds and hurled some food up onto the hawk feeder for Legolas. I watched as he flew off with the meat and was a bit surprised to see that he didn't land at his usual spot to eat his snack, but disappeared. Within a few minutes he returned empty-beaked and looking expectantly at the feeder. I figured he might have dropped the food so I threw yet another tidbit up on the feeder. This time he took it to his usual spot and proceeded to eat it. The odd behavior became a regular event on all of his visits.
After about a month of the double feedings I finally found out his secret. He had a buddy that he was feeding. It was an elderly-looking male Harris's hawk. Actually he looked so much like Legolas that I thought it was him until I saw the two intact legs.
I am no longer surprised by the compassion I see in the wild and domestic animal world. I have witnessed too much over the years. I only wish others could see what I have seen and take it to heart.
The disturbing news that Robert had for me after our arrival from McAllen was that he had found a dead Harris's hawk by the side of the road just a few blocks away. The county mowers had run over the dead bird and cut off both legs. Robert suspected it had been electrocution as the body was below a transformer. He had put the bird in the freezer so I could examine it and report the death to U.S. Fish and Wildlife.
I am sad to say that electrocution death of raptors is all too common but can be easily remedied. Over the past 20 years, in our little subdivision alone, I have witnessed at least half a dozen electrocutions of birds. Both Central Power & Light and Medina Electric have been very cooperative in helping to alleviate the problems we have reported over the years. A simple cover over the transformer protects the birds from the deadly shock. They just need to be told of the problem areas.
It took a bit of teeth-gritting and deep breathing before I could examine the hawk. He looked so much like my dear old friend Legolas, but without the legs I couldn't be sure. I also couldn't determine the cause of death. His body would have to be sent for an autopsy. I called the proper authorities to report a suspected electrocution, and then sat down and wept.
Weeks passed. My mother's heart procedure was a success, and she is feeling much stronger. Agents from U.S. Fish and Wildlife came to document the alleged electrocution and take the body for the autopsy. Legolas returned without his friend.
If you suspect electrocution deaths of birds in your area, you should report it to your local game warden or U.S. Fish and Wildlife agent. Thousands of birds can be saved by a simple, inexpensive cover.

(The Zapata Wildlife Rescue Center can be contacted by mail at 6812 STOP 68A, Zapata, TX 78076-2913, by phone at (956) 765-8526, or e-mail at dreams@zapata.border.net. Those interested in visiting should call ahead for directions.)