1. Both stories are told by women who talk about birds like falcons.
Emma Ford finds humor in
her story about Cuthbert, like when she humorously describes the bird's appearance: "Hanging
from my sleeve by its beak was the most extraordinary bird I had ever seen." In contrast, Helen
Macdonald's tale about the goshawk is more serious and emotional. She talks about feeling
connected to the bird, saying that, "My heart jumps sideways. She is a conjuring trick. A reptile.
A fallen angel."
2. Both writers feel curious and slightly nervous when they meet the new bird. Ford's story has a
lighthearted atmosphere filled with humour, like when she humorously describes the bird's
actions: "There was a raucous yell from the interior and something slashed at my arm."
Macdonald's story is more serious, showing how she feels deeply about the bird, as she
describes with detail, "And with the last bow pulled free, he reached inside, and amidst a
whirring, chaotic clatter of wings and feet and talons and a high-pitched twittering and it’s all
happening at once, the man pulls an enormous, enormous hawk out of the box."
3. Ford talks about a strong box for Cuthbert, suggesting she expects a strong bird. She
describes the box as sturdy and well-made, saying, "The box was a sight to behold. Three feet
square, it was constructed from heavy ply." On the other hand, Macdonald describes a delicate
box for the goshawk, making it seem fragile. She talks about the box as if it's easily breakable,
stating, "He untied a hinge on the smaller box and squinted into its dark interior."
4. Ford gives facts about the bird's life, like where it lives and what it eats. She shares these
details to help the reader understand the bird better, saying, "Audubon’s caracaras live on
savannas and pampas from Florida to the Argentine." Meanwhile, Macdonald focuses more on
how the bird makes her feel, using vivid descriptions to convey her emotions, as she describes,
"She is a conjuring trick. A reptile. A fallen angel."
5. Ford's story is light-hearted, even when the bird behaves badly. She finds humour in the bird's
actions, like when it misbehaves during training, stating, "Despite her comical appearance, she
flew with grace but spoiled it by dropping onto the ground half-way to my fist." Macdonald's story
is more serious and emotional, showing how much she cares for the bird, as she describes her
feelings with intensity and detail, saying, "Looking at me he must have sensed that my stuttered
request wasn’t a simple one. That there was something behind it that was very important."
6. Ford's writing is simple and direct. She says things plainly, using straightforward language to
describe events, for example "Contrary to my expectations, she proved exceptionally quick to
train." Macdonald's writing is more complex and descriptive, using many words and details to
create drama and emotion in her story, as she describes, "And with the last bow pulled free, he
reached inside, and amidst a whirring, chaotic clatter of wings and feet and talons and a
high-pitched twittering and it’s all happening at once, the man pulls an enormous, enormous
hawk out of the box."
