form flying. He tried to 'leap’ ten feet and didn't succeed. He plummeted to the bench below him, breaking his left leg quite badly. I brought him to the vet, who diagnosed a compound fracture of the mid-metatarsus and put on a 'syringe' cost. He and I discussed Yang's lack of feeling in the foot, but remained optimistic that time would heal the lack of response. Unfortunately, the leg healed crooked and without any feeling at all and sud- denly he became a permanent resident instead of 'a wild bird not to get too fond of'.

As happy as l was to have Yang become a 'pet’ I still feel guilty wondering would Yang have been as badly iniured if I'd been able to give him more calcium. Ironically, I have now found a liquid calcium supplement meant for small children, which has very little taste and meets all the requirements.

Yang is now three months old, spoiled rotten and leading as full a life as a handicapped hawk can live. He always travelled with me (because of his appetite) and now he knows my habits. When I get ready.to go out for the day, he flies to my shoulder or else screams loudly until I pick him up and take him to the car in my arms. He has his own following, people who have watched him mature, and he seems to love being the center of atten- tion. He gets very cross if I go into a place and don’t bring him with me and he usually sulks and refuses to eat for a few hours. He is healthy and is happiest when sitting on my lap or shoulder while I drive around the Island doing my Humane Society calls. l

Yang is one of the most entertaining pets I’ve ever met and I only hope he’ll be joining me on my drives for a long, long time. By the way, Yang means hawk in Chinese. He was named by the proprietor of my favourite restaurant, who allowed Yang to visit in the restaurant when he was young.

UPCOMING EVENTS

BIRD IDENTIFICATION COURSE: Birdlife of P.E.l., a 7-week course offered at U.P.E.I. by instructor Geoff Hogan, deals with identifying the over 250 species of birds found on the Island, as well as lectures of or- nithological interest and two field trips. The course will be held on Wednesday nights from September 19 to Oc- tober 31, 7:00 - 9:30 p.m. in the Duffy Building at U.P.E.I. Bring a field guide to the first lecture.

OCTOBER 2nd: The first meeting of the fall season. Renowned photographer Wayne Barrett will give a slide presentation on the natural wonders of Quebec's Anticosti and Mingan Islands. Anticosti Island remains the least known of the larger islands of the Gulf of St. Lawrence and is famous for its scenic beauty and wildlife. The Mingan Islands, Canada's newest National Park, are surrounded by waters rich in marine life, especially whales.

OCTOBER 13: Northumberland Strait Excursion. Reserve Saturday, October 13, for a birdwatcher's trip across the Strait between Wood Islands and Caribou. Participants can expect to see gannets, loans, gulls and sea ducks, among others. Dress warmly (rain gear if necessary) and bring binoculars and a lunch if desired. Meet at the Y.M.C.A. at 8:30 p.m. or at the Wood Islands terminal to take the 10:10 crossing. Vehicles will be left on the dock. Passenger fares are $2.20 one way.

OCTOBER 18: Public meeting of the Island Nature Trust will be held at the Farm Centre starting at 8:00 p.m. Guest speaker to be announced.

LATE OCTOBER or EARLY NOVEMBER: Canadian Nature Federation will be holding its regional meeting. Those interested should contact Dan McAskill in the first week of October.

NOVEMBER 6: NHS monthly meeting = speaker to be announced.

NOVEMBER 16: Island Nature Trust will hold a meeting of the General Cauncil starting at 8:00 p.m. at Beaconsfield.

DECEMBER 3: NHS meeting - possibly a film night.

LATE DECEMBER: Annual bird count. Geoff Hogan will have more about the count at a later date.