PEACE GIFT

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume LX, Issue 17, 3 March 1939, Page 1

PEACE GIFT

TRIBUTE TO MR CHAMBERLAIN'S WORK

STORY BEHIND THE BIRD

(From The Guardian's London

Correspondent)

LONDON, February 11

As a tribute to his work for world peace, Mr Neville Chamberlain, has been given a bird—the stuffed body of a sparrow-hawk that preyed on the pigeons of St. Paul's Cathedral 100 years ago. The gift has been made by Captain Raymond Johnes who addressed a note to Mr Chamberlain in Latin which reads: "Accept this sparrow-hawk, O senior statesman, who from the claws of the eagle snatched peace."

The bird is in excellent condition. On the back of its cage a notice reads: "These are the frail and mortal remains of a hawk that infested St. Paul's dome, who in his carnivorous propensities collected great and small tithes from the feathered race in the vicinity. A well-aimed shot that struck his leg, scattered his senses and he fell. Caged like Bajazet, for the eye of curiosity, he lived for some twelve months on royal tare provided by the Crown (S. Pope) where thousands came to gaze upon him."

Captain Johnes said: "After purchasing the bird at a small secondhand shop it occurred to me that it would be an appropriate gift to express my gratitude to Mr Chamberlain. He is a keen ornithologist and Is very interested in the birds of the London parks."