The Killers

Whitehackle is a brightly colored fighting rooster, bred and conditioned with the care of a championship athlete. After a cockfight, he is set loose and makes his way to a farm in Pennsylvania Dutch country, where he rises to become the strongest bird in the barnyard. Ishmael, a female Cooper's hawk, roams the surrounding woods and fields and wants nothing more than to prey on the farm's birds and animals, including those Whitehackle guards. Their rivalry is a matter of strategy and survival, and each bird is shaped by it.

Daniel P. Mannix follows both birds through a series of chapters that trace their growth, maturity, and daily routines as they face the obstacles of their lives. The narrative pays close attention to the inner lives of animals, and the rural setting feels grounded and authentic. The book builds toward a final confrontation once both birds have reached the height of their abilities.

Beyond the central rivalry, the book offers a detailed look at the habits of birds, including domestic chickens, peacocks, and ducks, and shows the turning seasons and the harsh rules of nature. It also preserves the atmosphere of a rural America that has largely vanished.