on foe pee ‘ ie icon SUN eu lvay ont Me 8 8 rely vine gar vlentare iy sisnhele'e sin lehahe ore 80 inl ote. eee ae i Wi me Het \ ie! He Ne SN Ss ISSUED BY SUBSCRIPTION ONLY, AND NOT FOR SALE IN BOOK STORES. fay ok I AN Di tes iy pene iene ‘COMPLETE IN 68 PARTS. 25 CENTS. re Bed Gina Tan i ee Pi a yt «> ‘ Animate Creation: POPULAR E DIMION OF Woe iN EI VING WORLD, Pe Ieee I STORY BY AM sia leva dip (Ge NW Aeon) REVISED AND ADAPTED TO PA NaC ZOOLOG i, BY JOSEPH B: HOLDER, M:D., dellow of the New York Academy of Sciences; Member of the Society of Naturalists, BE. U. 8S; Member of the American Ornithologists’ Union; Curator of Vertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park, New York. FULLY ILLUSTRATED WITH SCIENTIFIC ACCURACY, VOL. If. INGE WV ayc@ RK: SE VMeA RR, EES Ss. ————SVD——_ COFYRIGHT, 43TH OF OCTOBER, 1898 BY SELMAR HESS. en 280 ~ ae EWR ES REE " PRINTED BY D. G. F. CLASS 7 oot GER ‘(2) ELECTROTYPED BY Bi] , Smita & McDouGat NEW YORK a; bey: Wet! Ge = Se: Ms PAGE INTRODUCTION. Order ACCIPITRES; on BIRDS OF PREY. 11 Sub-Order AcctPiTRES DiurNI ; OR DiurNAL Birps OF PREY. Family VULTURID ; Sub-Family GYP TINE: Lammergeyer—Gypaetus barbatus.....+..++6 ececes 11 Sub-lamily SaRCORHAMPHINA ; FLesH-BEAKED VULTURES 12 Condor—Sarcorhamphus gryphus.....scceceeeeeeeee 12 Black Vulture—Catharista iota, or atrata.......... 17 Sub-Family VuLTURINE ; TRUE VULTURES........... Boone 2A) Arabian Vulture—Vultur monachus.......++- ssiecce 21 Sociable Vulture—Ologyps auricularis.......0++0006 22 Fulvous, or Griffin Vulture—G@yps fulous,.........- 24 Egyptian Vulture—Neophron perenopterus........++ 26 Family Faucontp# ; Sub-Family AQuaLIn«&®); EaGues.... 27 Golden Eagle—Aquila chrysaetos........-++++0000+ 28 Martial Eagle—Spizaetus bellicosus.........++ nebobe 33 Laughing Falcon—Herpetotheres cachinnans........ 33 Jean Le Blane Eagle—Circaetus gallicus...... ....+ 34 Crested, or Harpy Eagle—Thrasaetus harpyda,..... 34 Brazilian Eagle, or Urubitinga—Morphnus urubitinga 36 Osprey—Pandion haliaetus...........0 0 cee cence eee 36 Cinereous, or Sea Eagle—Haliaetus albicilla........ 39 Sub-Family POLYBORINA,. 2.0.00... cece cence ee eee soeodcge eet Red-Throated Faleon—Ibycter americanus .......++ 44 Southern Caracara—Milvago australis.........+.20+ 45 Brazilian Kite—Polyborus braziliensis ....++.+++++ o- 45 Sub-Family BuTeONIN«® : Buzzard—Buteo Oulgaris: \sinia'e. \ « a a@ 7 7 ~~. Te. OS) a ee a => a 7 a THE SWALLOW-TAILED KITE. 49 THE ARABIAN Kirrx still plays the same part in Africa as was formerly taken in England by its European relative. It is a bold and familiar bird, haunting the habitations of man, and audaciously carrying off its prey, undeterred by human presence. As it will eat garbage of almost any nature, ‘it is a valuable ally to the unclean villagers ; carrying away the offal which is liberally flung out of the houses, and scarcely permitting it to rest on the ground before it is seen and devoured. The bird is strictly protected on account of the services which it continually renders ; and so utterly fearless does it become through long experience of the ways of man, that it pays visits to every house in the village, in hopes of finding food of some kind. When Le Vaillant was employed in preparing his dinner at his wagons, the Kites came and boldly carried off the meat, heedless of the shots that were fired and the cries that were raised, and even returned for a second supply as soon as they had disposed of their former booty. ae ee! = \ ’ = =a ) Ne An v Siw” KITES.—Milvus migrans and Milvus regalis. Tue beautiful bird which is so well known under the appropriate title of the SwALLow- TAILED Krre, is an inhabitant of various parts of America. This species seems to be dis- tributed overa considerable tract of country, according to the observations of many practical ornithologists. Mr. Nuttal has the following remarks on the habitat of the Swallow-tailed Falcon. “This beautiful bird breeds and passes the summer in the warmer parts of the United States, and is also probably resident in all tropical and temperate America; emigrating into the southern as well as well as the northern hemisphere. In the former, according to Vieillot, it is found in Peru, and as faras Buenos Ayres ; and though it is extremely rare to meet with this species as far as the latitude of forty degrees, in the Atlantic States, yet, tempted by the abundance of the fruitful valley of the Mississippi, individuals have been seen along that river Vou, IL—7, 50 THE SWALLOW-TAILED KITE. as far as the falls of St. Anthony, in the forty-fourth degree of north latitude. They appear in the United States about the close of April or the beginning of May, and are very numerous in the Mississippi territory, twenty or thirty being sometimes visible at the same time. In the month of October they begin to return to the south, at which season Mr. Bateman observed them in great numbers assembled in Florida, soaring steadily at great elevations for several days in succession, and slowly passing to their winter quarters along the Gulf of Mexico.” Audubon remarks that it has never been seen farther eastward than Pennsylvania, and that only a few solitary individuals have been discovered in that locality. Towards the south it becomes more numerous, and in Louisiana and Mississippi it is extremely abundant, arriving in considerable numbers at the beginning of April, as many as a hundred having been counted in the space of a single hour, all passing directly from east to west. On their first arrival they are so fatigued with their journey that they are easily approached ; but owing to their habit of soaring at an immense height, they are tolerably safe even from man at all other seasons. This falcon bears so strong an ex- ternal resemblance to the swallow, that it might easily be taken for a common swallow or swift, as it flies circling in the air in search of the insect prey on which it usually feeds. Even the flight is very much of the same character in both birds, and the mode of feeding very similar. The usual food of the Swallow- tailed Kite consists of the larger insects, which it either catches on the wing, or snatches from the leaves as it shoots past the bushes. Various locusts, cicadee, and other insects, are captured in this man- ner. It also follows the honey buzzard in its fondness for wasps and their larvee, and has been noticed to excavate a wasp’s nest, and to tear away the comb precisely like that bird. Reptiles, such as small snakes, lizards, and frogs, also form part of the food of this elegant bird. While it is engaged in the pursuit of such prey, or in catching the large insects upon the branches, it may be approached and shot without much difficulty, as it is so intent upon its prey that it fails to notice its human foe. Audubon found that when he had succeeded in killing one of these birds, he could shoot as many more as he chose, because they have a habit of circling round the body of their slaughtered comrade, and sweep round it as if they were endeav oring to carry it away. Taking advantage of this peculiarity, he was enabled to procure as many specimens as he Alps sal shooting them as fast as he could reload his gun. The Fork-tailed Kite, or Swallow-tail, so called! is peculiarly an American form, the genus having only one species. It belongs to the tropical and subtropical regions more properly, but is occasionally seen as far north as Pennsylvania. It is common on the Mississippi Valley as far as Wisconsin, where it breeds. Few groups of birds vary in their habits more than Hawks and Kites. The last species noticed was really graceful in its movements on the ground, while the present bird is awkward in the extreme. This species of Kite is far from awkward in his proper element, however; he is there a swallow-like flyer, his long, forked tail sweeping the air most gracefully. This bird has the singular faculty of also feeding on the wing. He has ARABIAN KITE.—Milvus forskalt. THE BLACK-WINGED FALCON. 51 been seen to fly through a swarm of bees, clutch them with his talons, and pass them to his mouth while yet on wing, soaring and wheeling in the most graceful manner. WiItson’s PHALAROPE (Sfeganopus wilson) inhabits the United States and the British Provinces generally. It is rare, or seldom seen in New England. It breeds in the Western States, where, in the Mississippi Valley and westward, it abounds. It is also found in Mexico and South America. The sexes are alike in color. Of the three Phalaropes, this, in its full plumage, is the handsomest and the largest. It may be called, also, one of the handsomest of the whole group of waders. Wilson says: ‘‘In the grand and wonderful chain of animated nature, the Phalaropes constitute one of the links between the waders and the web-footed birds, having the form of the sandpiper, with the habits of some of the ducks. The scalloped membrane on the toes enables them to swim readily. They do not appear to be fond of the neighborhood of the ocean, and are generally found in the interior, about the lakes and ponds of fresh water, where they delight to linger, and swim near the margin in search of seedsand insects. They go in pairs, and we cannot learn that they are anywhere numer- ous. THE NorTHERN PHALAROPE (Lobipes hypoboreas) inhabits the northern hemisphere and penetrates to high northern lati- tudes to breed. It is generally distributed, but is essentially maritime. Though generally distributed, it is no where as abundant as Wilson’s, though it appears at times in large flocks. It winters in the Gulf States. Dr. Coues saw a nest among the Cascade mountains. Dall found it common along the Yukon river. THE small but brilliant BLACK-WINGED Fatcon is a native of Africa, but is found in nearly all the temperate por- tions of the Old World. It has also been seen in New Zealand and Java. It isa fierce and daring little XA. bird, striking so sharply with BLACK-WINGED FALCON.—Hanus melanopterus. beak and claws, that even when wounded it cannot be approached without considerable precaution. The food of the Black- winged Falcon consists chietly of grasshoppers and various insects, from which it is thought to derive the powerful musky odor which is exhaled from its body, and marks every spot on which it has recently sat. It is generally to be seen perched on the extreme top of some lofty tree, and while looking out for prey or engaged in active pursuit, pours forth a succession of ear-piercing cries, earning thereby from several ornithologists the specific title of ‘‘ vociferous,” 52 THE MISSISSIPPI KITE. Besides insects, it also feeds upon snakes and various small reptiles, and will sometimes, though but rarely, kill small birds or mice. The wings are remarkably long in this species, and the legs short and feathered, a struc- ture which gives clear indication that the bird is strong on the wing, and excels more in swift- ness and activity of flight than in strength of beak or clutch of talons. In many of its habits this species ciosely resembles the swallow-tailed falcon, and, like that bird, is capable of chasing and capturing insects on the wing. The nest of the Black-winged Falcon is rather large, and is generally built on a convenient forked branch. It is usually lined with moss and feathers, and contains four or five whitish eggs. Although the bird may often be seen darting at the crows, shrikes, and other predaceous birds that may pass near its residence, it has no inten- tion of killing and eating them, but only wishes to drive them away from the vicinity of its home. The head and neck of the Black-winged Falcon are silver-gray, the centres of its wings are black, and the primaries and secondaries are grayish-brown, with gray edges. The shoulder and the wings, breast, abdomen, and tail are pure white; the cere and toes are yellow, and the bill and claws black. When young, the back is brown, each feather being tipped with white, and the breast is brown spotted with white. THe BLACK-SHOULDERED Kite (Hlanus leucurus), called also the WHITE-TAILED Kirs, has a range of habitat about the same as the preceding, extending, however, into California. Charles Lucien Bonaparte, the eminent ornithologist, first described this bird from a specimen he procured from Florida. Like the preceding, it feeds on insects and small reptiles. It is exceedingly graceful, gaining the name Bailarin in South America, from its buoyant flight—the word signifying to balance. THe CRooK-BILLED Facon derives its name from the shape of the beak, which is rather long and narrow, and is curved over at the point so as to form a rather large and sharp hook. The distinctive characteristics in this bird, which was placed in the genus Cymindis, are the short tarsus armed with net-like markings, and half clothed with feathers down their front, the wings shorter than the tail, and small narrow nostrils, which are so closely con- tracted as to resemble a mere cleft in the beak. The word Cymindis is Greek, and ought rather to have been used to designate the night-jar than this Falcon. This species possesses scales as well as reticulation upon the front of the tarsus. Its color when adult is a leaden- blue, or gray on the upper portions of the body, and paler beneath. The tail is white at the base, and deepens into an orange-gray at the extremity. Its quill feathers are edged with a brownish ash, and the feet and cere are yellow. In its earlier stages of existence, the bird is of an almost uniform brown, relieved by reddish hues on the cap of each feather, a yellow stripe runs beneath the eyes, and little patches of the same color appear on the cheeks, and the front of the neck is grayish-white. All the species that belong to this family live in America. So does also a member of the genus Ictinia, which is very familiar to ornithologists under the name of Mrissrsstpp1 Kire (Letinia mississippiensis). This fine bird is a native of various parts of America, where it may be seen at a vast eleva- tion in the air, sailing about in strange companionship with the turkey buzzard, and equalling those birds in the power, grace, and readiness of flight. Why two such dissimilar birds should thus inhabit the same region of air, and delight in each other's society, is a very perplexing question, and requires a much clearer knowledge of the species and its habits before it can be satisfactorily settled. The Mississippi Kite cares not for carrion, and is not absolutely known to make prey of anything bigger thana locust. Yet, as Wilson well observes, the power- ful hooked beaked and sharp claws seem as if they were intended by nature for the capture of prey much more formidable than grasshoppers, locusts, and butterflies. In its flight, the Mississippi Kite needs not to flap its wing, but sails on its airy course with the same easy grace and apparent absence of exertion that is so characteristic of the flight of the vultures, THE MISSISSIPPI KITE. Be The very great proportionate length of its wings may account for this habit; the entire length of the body and tail being only fourteen inches, while the expanse of wing equals three feet. Being possessed of such power of flight, it emulates the swallow-tailed faleon in many of its evolutions, and in a similar manner is fond of sweeping rapidly past a branch, and snatching from the leaves a choice locust or beetle without checking its progress. Like that bird it also feeds while on the wing, holding its prey in its claws and transferring it to its mouth without needing to settle. In character it seems to be a most fierce and courageous bird, as may be gathered from a short narrative given by Wilson of one of these birds which he had shot. “This Hawk, though wounded and precipitated from a vast height, exhibited in his dis. tress symptoms of great strength, and an almost unconquerable spirit. I no sooner approached to pick him up, than he instantly gave battle, striking with his claws, wheeling round and MISSISSIPPI KITE.—Ietinia mississippiensis. SWALLOW-TAILED FALCON.—Navclerus forficatus. round as he lay partly on his rump, and defending himself with great vigilance and dexterity, while his dark-red eye sparkled with rage. Notwithstanding all my caution in seizing him to earry him home, he stuck his hind claw into my hand with such force as to penetrate into the bone. Anxious to preserve his life, I endeavored gently to disengage it ; but this made him only contract it the more powerfully, causing such pain that I had no alternative but that of cutting the sinew of his heel with my penknife. ‘“The whole time he lived with me, he seemed to watch every movement I made, erecting the feathers of his broad head, and eyeing me with savage fierceness ; considering me no doubt as the greater savage of the two. What effect education might have had on this species under the tutorship of some of the old European professors of falconry, I know not; but if extent of wing and energy of character, and ease and rapidity of flight, could have been any recom- mendation to royal patronage, this species possesses all these in a very eminent degree.” The attention of Mr. Wilson was greatly taken with these birds, and he on several occa- sions opened the stomachs of those which he had shot, in order to discover the food on which 54 THE RED-TAILED HAWK. they had been sustained. On every occasion he found nothing but the legs, wings, and other indigestible portions of beetles, grasshoppers, and other large insects. He suggests that its lofty flight is for the purpose of preying upon those insects which choose the highest region of air for their pleasure trips, and not merely for the better convenience of seizing prey on the ground, as is the case with so many of the more carnivorous hawks. The colors with which this bird is decorated are, though simple in themselves, exceedingly pleasing in their general effect. The head, neck, and part of the secondaries are a grayish- white, and the whole of the lower parts are a whitish-ash. The back and upper portions of the body are ashy-black, and the pinions are deep black, as is its deeply forked tail. The legs are scarlet, and the claws, bill, and cere black. The Mississippi Kite, called also the Black Kite, has much the same locality as the Black-Shouldered Kite. On the prairies of Illinois it is said to be exceedingly abundant. On the Atlantic border it does not reach above the Carolinas. It has the same graceful flight seen in the other Kites. THe Hoox-BiLtLep Kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis), called, also, the Everglade Kite, is known in the West Indies and Florida, breeding in the everglades. It is said to be sociable in its habits, in this respect differing from others of the order. We have seen, however, Rough-legged Falcons associated in flocks of a dozen or more, hovering over low lands, and eagerly scanning the ground for small reptiles. In flight this Hawk resembles the Marsh Hawk. It feeds on small shell fish, and seems particularly adapted to marine localities. THE Broap-winerep Hawk (Buteo pennsyloanicus) is an inhabitant of the Eastern Atlantic States as far south as Florida ; occasionally seen in Arizona and Southern California. Its great breadth of wing, or width of secondaries, and also of its head and body, when com- pared to its length, seem surprising proportions. It is a ‘‘snug-built’’ bird, and one of hand- some markings. Audubon gave this bird the character of a coward and sneak, but some of our later ornithologists agree in crediting it with all the courage possessed by its kindred. Mr. Boardman, of Calais, Maine, whose observations are very accurate, differs essentially from Audubon. He gives several instances of dangerous attacks upon individuals who were attempting to remove eges from their nests. Swatnson’s Hawk (Buteo swainsoni), called also Baird’s, is found in the western regions of America, as far east as the Mississippi River, and north to the Arctic circle. Dr. Linecum, an excellent observer in Texas, relates an instance of this bird following up a prairie fire to snatch up the small mammals and insects that are driven out by the heat. When any one approaches its nest on the prairie it will make a pretty bold attempt to frighten him away; failing that, it tries to decoy by alighting near and screeching loudly, as if some great calamity had happened. On approaching, he moves off with seeming great difficulty, as if wounded, screeching all the time. Eventually he rises, and sweeps along just above the tall grass, and settles down as if to indicate the locality of the nest. If he fails to deceive the intruder and the latter attempts to disturb the nest, the Hawk immediately rises and gives fight. THE Banp-TAILED HAWK (Buteo zonocercus) is a native of Mexico and Guatemala, and is occasionally seen in Arizona and California. THE RED-SHOULDERED HAWK (Buteo lineatus) is an Eastern bird, extending to Florida. Another variety is found on the Pacifie slope. This bird is excessively noisy. It is very common, being a resident in New England throughout the year. Reb-TAILED Hawk (Buteo borealis). This is another very common resident of the New England States throughout the year. Several distinct varieties of this Hawk are known in as many different portions of the country. This is a strong and powerful bird, having the faculty of soaring at great heights and at long intervals. Its habit is to watch for its prey at THE JERFALCON. D5 some high position, and dart furiously upon it, often killing by the force of the shock, Audubon says the sexes separate after the breeding season, and are then quite hostile to each other. Its spread of wing is three feet nine inches. Haruan’s Hawk (Buteo harlani\, called also Black Warrior, is native to the South- western States, and Guatemala. It is allied to the preceding, though somewhat smaller. Its prey is preferably wild fowl. In this there is a singular difference between it and larger Hawks. Some of the latter feed on beetles and grasshoppers by preference. Cooper’s Hawk (Buteo cooperi) is a Californian species, named in honor of Dr. Cooper, the naturalist of California, who obtained one specimen, the only one so far known to science. It is very closely like an Asiatic and European species, and may be identical. THE CALIFORNIA SqQuirREL Hawk (Archibuteo ferrugineus) inhabits Western North America, from California to the Missouri River. Like some others it was discovered since Audubon’s day. CLOSELY allied to the Mississippi Kite is the Sporrep-TaAILED Hoppy, or LEADEN IoTINIA, both names being derived from the coloring of the plumage. It is, in common with the pre- ceding bird, a native of America, and resembles it closely in many of its habits and manner of feeding. It is fond of soaring at a very great elevation, and will often remain stationary in a single spot, hanging as it were self-poised in air. The back and wings of this species are a slate or leaden blue, and the head and remainder of the plumage of whitish-gray, spotted rather singularly with brown. ‘The eye is bright red. Specimens of this bird have been found both in North and South America. THE TRUE FALCONS. THE true Fantcons are known by their strong, thick, and curved beak, the upper mandible having a projecting tooth near the curve, which fits into a corresponding socket in the under mandible. The talons are strongly curved, sharp pointed, and are either flat or grooved in their under sides. Amona the true Falcons the JERFALCON is the most conspicuous on account of the supe- rior dimensions of its body and the striking power of its wing. This splendid bird is a native of Northern Europe, being mostly found in Iceland and Nor- way, and it also inhabits parts of both Americas. Some naturalists believe that the Norwegian and Icelandic birds ought to be reckoned as different species, but others think that any differ- ences between them are occasioned by age and sex. It is said that of the two birds the Iceland variety is the more powerful, of bolder flight, and greater age, and therefore better adapted for the purpose of falconry. The power of flight possessed by this bird is wonderfully great, and has been well described by. Mr. Mudie. ‘‘It pays occasional visits to the northern and western isles, more especially to those places of them that abound with rock doves; and few sights can be finer than that of the Jerfaleon driving through a flock of them. When the Jer- falcon comes within sight of her prey she bounds upwards, every stroke of the wings producing a perpendicular leap, as if she were climbing those giant stairs with which nature molds the basaltic -rocks; and when she has ‘got the sky’ of her prey to a suf- ficient height for gaining the necessary impetus, her wings shiver for a moment—she works herself into proper command and poise, and to the full extent of her wings. Then, prone she dashes, with so much velocity that the impression of her path remains in the eye in the same manner as that of the shooting meteor or the flashing lightning, and you fancy that there is a torrent of Falcon rushing for fathoms through the air. The stroke is as unerring as the motion is fleet. If it takes effect on the body, the bird 56 HABITS OF THE JERFALCON. is trussed and the hunt is over; but if a wing only is broken, the maimed bird is allowed to flutter to the earth, and another is marked out for the collision of death. ‘Tt sometimes happens that the mountain crow comes in for the wounded game, but in order to do so it must proceed stealthily along the ground, for woe betide it if it rises on the wing and meets the glance of the Falcon. The raven himself never scoops out another eye if he rises to attempt that one; and it is by no means improbable that in the early season in those cold northern countries, when the lambs are young and the flock weak, and the crows and ravens prowl about blinding and torturing, the Jerfalcon may be of considerable service to the shepherd.”’ When at liberty in its native land, it seems to prefer birds to any other kind of prey, and will resolutely attack birds of considerable size, such as the heron or stork. It will also chase hares and rabbits, and in the pursuit of this swift game is so eager, that after knocking over one hare, it will leave the maimed animal struggling on the ground while it goes off in chase of another. Although its home is in the chilly wastes of those northern regions, the bird is in no want of food, finding ample supply in the sea birds which swarm around the tall cliffs that jut into the waves, and being able from its great powers of flight to range over a vast extent of country in search of its daily food. On account of the singular power, swiftness, and courage of this bird, it was in former days held in the highest estimation, and could only be purchased at a most extravagant price. Not only must it be taken at the imminent risk of life, from the almost inaccessible cliffs on which it builds its nest, but it must also be specially brought from Iceland or Norway, and trained after its arrival at its new residence. As the bird is a most unruly and self-willed creature, its instruction was a matter of very great difficulty, and could only be achieved by the most patient of skilful teachers. So highly, indeed, was this bird valued, that after the hawking season was over, and the ordinary hawks permitted to fly at liberty according to custom, the Jerfalcon was retained by its owner, and kept for the next year. The training of this bird is a long and tedious process, and is managed after the following manner. It is allowed that all hawks are fierce and untameable in proportion to the latitude in which they reside, those which inhabit the northern and colder parts of the earth being much fiercer and less tameable than those of more southern regions ; so that the course of training through which a Jerfaleon is forced to pass is much more severe than that which suffices to render a Peregrine Falcon subservient to its teacher. The first object which the trainer bears in mind is, to reduce the strength of the bird by slow degrees. so as to prevent it from injuring itself by the fierce and protracted struggles with which it would endeavor to resist any advance on the part of the teacher. This object is obtained by giving the bird only half the usual allowance of food, and by steeping the meat in water before the Falcon is permitted to touch it. A leathern hood, which answers the double purpose of blinding the eyes and keeping the beak closed, is placed on the head, and never removed except at night, so that the bird remains in perpetual darkness for ten days or a fortnight. If the bird attempts to bite when the hood is removed, cold water is splashed in its face, and if it is very savage, it is plunged entirely under water. By the end of fifteen or sixteen days, the Faleon becomes used to the handling to which it is subjected, and will permit the hood to be removed and replaced, without offering any resistance. The next part of the instruction is to teach the bird to pounce upon any object that may be pointed out by the instructor, whether it be a heron moving in the air, or a hare running on the ground. The skin of the intended prey is employed for this purpose, and the bird is invariably fed while standing on this skin. When it is accustomed to associate the idea of the hare or heron skin with the pleasure of satisfying its hunger, the skin, if it be that of a hare, is drawn along the ground, and the falcon encouraged to pursue it. As soon as the bird pounces, the teacher looses his hold of the skin, and permits his pupil to feast on the meat which has been pre- viously attached to it. Next day the skin is placed at a distance of several yards before it is started, and the distance is gradually increased, so that the bird learns to search in every JERFALCON. Testimonials to the “Tafeln” of Brebm’s Thierleben. The late CHARLES DARWIN wrifes:—‘‘ The illustrations are the best I ever saw in any work, I find it superfluous to enter here into particulars, as I already, in the ‘ Descent of ” Man,’ have wiliingly and openly confessed how much I have profited by Mr. Brehm’s book, and how highly I esteem it. Sir JoHN Lugzock, Bart., D.C.L.:—‘‘ You have, I think, done good service in publishing them. They are certainly very admirable. ” W. B. CARPENTER, M.D., LL.D., writes:—'‘‘I can quite endorse the favorable opinions already given by distinguished zoologists as to the high character of the illustrations generally.” J=2-& Unimate Creation. 6-5=* ae) E have concluded to submit for public patronage a work with the above title, being a series _ W of exquisite Engravings representing the ANIMAL WORLD, executed with great scientific — accuracy, and accompanied by full Descriptive Text, written in popular terms, so as to delight and instruct the people. Anyone who has considered the subject must be at a loss to under- stand why an ILLUSTRATED NATURAL HIsTORY, comprehensive and at the same time popular, has not before this been published in this country. Indeed any lover of animals who has visited the great museums and zoological gardens and has had access to books of engravings in the public libraries, could not fail to remark the wealth of material in existence devoted to this subject. Being confirmed in our conviction of the desirability of such a work, we laid under contribution the best existing authorities for the production of most perfect representations of all the more important living creatures, and among the artists whose delineations will delight the reader, we may mention Harrison Weir, Wolf, Coleman, Fr. Specht, and Mutzel. By far the majority of the engravings in these volumes are from drawings made from the é¢vzzg animals, many at the Zoological Society’s Gardens in London, England. We purpose that our patrons shall be aided and interested in their study by such an array of pictures as has never before embellished any Natural History. In numerous instances the engraving is printed in oil-colors, and this portion of the illustrations has been taken charge of by Messrs. L. Prang & Co., of Boston, who we believe rank foremost for high artistic results in this department of printing. These Oleographs were copied under the superintendence of Mr. Prang from the renowned “ Tafeln”’ of “ Brehm’s Thierleben,” so that they may be declared perfectly reliable. We sought competent advice from various sources as to the most suitable text that should ac- company this panorama of handsome Engravings. It was found impossible to embody all the present ideas of naturalists in a single work like this on account of the rapid advances and constant changes in their knowledge of, and habits of thought respecting, the Animal World. And it seemed to us cor- rect that the true object of Zoology is not to arrange, to number, and to ticket animals in a formal inventory, but to inquire into their life-nature, and not simply to investigate the lifeless organism. What do we know of “ Man” from the dissecting-room? Is it not Man, the warrior, the states- man, the poet, etc., that we are interested in? With all veneration which attaches itself to those who are the accredited possessors of abstruse learning, their inordinate use of phraseology detracts too much, we fear, from the fascination that the study of the Animal World would otherwise yield, and as we are not content to have our work restricted to a favored few, we thought the task placed in our hands to be to keep the work free from a repellant vocabulary of conventional technicalities. Our endeavor has been to find an author whose work would be noted for its fund of anecdote and vitality rather than for merely anatomical and scientific presentation, and we arrived at the conclu- sion that we could not do better than avail ourselves of the Rev. J. G. Wood’s comprehensive work —a work most popularly approved by speakers of the English language. It would be superfluous to say one word concerning the standard character of his book, from the pages of which old and young at the other side of the Atlantic have obtained so much instruction and rational amusement. Avoid- ing the lengthened dissertations and minute classifications of specialists, he presents to his readers in popular terms a complete treatise on the Animal Kingdom of all climes and countries. The one objection that could be urged against it was, that animal life in America might be treated more fully and American forms given more consideration. In order to obviate this drawback and to do full justice to the creatures of our own country, we secured the aid of Dr. J. B. HOLDER, of the Ameri- can Museum of Natural History in New York, an undoubted American authority, who has adapted Wood’s work to American wants and given prominence to American forms of Animal life. The splendid work on Rodentia, by Allen, Coues, and others, will be fully consulted. The valuable work on North American Birds, by Bae! Brewer, and Ridgway, will be the guide i in the treatment of birds. The late arrangement of the Becsieccision and nomenclature of North American Birds, by Mr. Ridgway, and the Committee on that subject of the Ornithologists’ Union, will be utilized in full. The arrangement of Mammals will be after the latest classification by Professor Flower, of the Zoological Society of London. So that this will be the first popular Natural History worthy of the name that has made its appearance here, which gives due and full recognition to the animate world surrounding us. Terms of Publication. The extent of the work will be 68 parts of 28 pages, at the price of 25 cents each. The entire publication will contain $4 Oleographs and 68 Full Page Engravings on Wood, besides many hundreds of exquisite Illustrations interspersed through the text. The parts will be issued every two weeks, and are payable only as delivered. No subscriber’s name will be received for less than the entire work, and anyone removing, or not regularly supplied, will please address the Publisher by mail, N.E. SELMAR HESS, Publisher, New York. IK } TT ¢ Ti i i | Ant Me lige is \) \ nin nna PART 26 COMPLETE IN 68 PARTS. 25 CENTS. : - o: ee 4 . a re A re 7 i THE PEREGRINE FALCON. 57 direction for its expected prey, as soon as the hood is removed from its eyes. Lastly, the teacher mounts on horseback, and holding in his hand a long string, the other end of which is attached to the skin, he darts off at full gallop, so that the Falcon is forced to put out its best speed before it can overtake the horse or pounce on the skin as it flies leaping and striking along the ground. On the first two or three days, the Falcon is almost quite breathless when it has overtaken the horse, and sits panting, with open beak, upon the skin; but in a week or so, it becomes much stronger, and is not in the least distressed by its severe chase. To teach the bird to pounce upon herons, buzzards, kites, or other winged prey, a stuffed skin is employed after much the same fashion that is followed with the hare skin. Instead, however, of being dragged along the ground, the skin is flung into the air, and the bird encouraged to pounce upon it before it reaches the ground. In all cases the attendants keep up a great noise and shouting as soon as the Falcon begins to feed, in order to accustom the bird to the uproar which is the inevitable concomitant of the chase. Horses and dogs are then brought close to the feeding bird, and the dogs are encouraged to break out in full ery. When the bird has become sufficiently docile to recognize its keeper and to know his voice, it is then instructed to come to his hand when called. This accomplishment is taught by means of a “‘lure”’ and a whistle. The lure is a gaudy apparatus of feathers and leather, on which is placed a small piece of some special dainty. The Falcon is encouraged to jump on the lure and devour the food, the whistle being blown continually while the bird is eating. Next day the teacher stands at a few yards’ distance from his pupil, blows the whistle, exhibits the lure, and permits the bird to make its little feast. In a very short time the sound of the whistle attracts the attention of the Faleon, which immediately looks around for the lure and sets upon it at once. When the huntsman takes the field, the lure is attached to a leathern strap, and slung to the side of the horse, so that whenever a flying Falcon is to be recalled, the huntsman whistles sharply in order to attract the bird’s attention, and at the same time swings the lure round his head, so as to render it more visible to the bird. This process of training, of which a very slight and rapid sketch has been given, occupies from six weeks to two months, whereas that of the peregrine, goshawk, or merlin only requires some fifteen or twenty days. Even when the whole series of instructions has been completed, its ultimate success is very dubious, for it sometimes happens that when the bird finds itself wholly at liberty for the first time, it forgets all its teaching, and, heedless of lure or whistle, flies exultingly to its rocky home. The color of the adult Jerfaleon is nearly white, being purely white on the under surface and flecked with narrow transverse bars of grayish-brown upon the upper parts. The sharp claws are black, the beak of a bluish-tint, and the cere, tarsus, and toes yellow. When young, however, the bird presents a very different aspect, and would hardly be recognized as belonging to the same species. In its earlier stages of life it is almost wholly of a grayish-brown tint, the feathers being slightly marked with a little white upon their edges. As the bird increases in age the white edges become wider, and by degrees the entire feather is of a snowy whiteness. The name Jerfalcon is supposed to be a corruption of ‘‘ Geyer-falcon,” or Vulture Falcon. The Gerfaleon (Falco gerfalco), a most noble bird, is native in Greenland and the conti- nent above Hudson’s Bay. It breeds in the latter region. It is also found in all other circum- polar localities. Two distinct varieties are recognized. One being quite white, much like the snowy owl. The other has a bluish tinted plumage, with large transverse bands of plumbeous color. Specimens are occasionally taken in New England. This bird is among a few that are regarded as destined soon to be reduced well nigh to extinction. It is now very rare, and specimens are held as valuable acquisitions to cabinets. The Central Park Museum has six superb specimens, including three varieties. One is the McFarlane bird—variety sacer. They usually build near the breeding places of sea fowl, upon which they prey. Less powerful, but more graceful than the Jerfalcon, the PErrcriInE Fatcon has ever held the first place among the hawks that are trained for the chase. The temper of the latter bird is incomparably more docile than that of the former, the Vou, 44.8, ~ 58 THE PEREGRINE FALCON. lessons of the instructor are received with more readiness, occupy far less time, and seem to be more powerfully impressed upon the memory. For training this bird the process is very similar to that which is employed in the instruction of the Jerfalcon, but the system is not nearly so severe, and occupies scarcely one-fourth of the time that is needful to render the once! and fearless Jerfaleon subservient to the dominion of man. The whole process is very simple in its theory, being based on the principle of placing the bird in such situations that it is absolutely unable to disobey the orders which are given by its trainer, and consequently imagines that it is equally bound to obey every order which he may afterwards give. In order PEREGRINE FALCON.—Faco peregrinus. to obtain this result two qualities are needful in the instructor, namely, patience and gentle- ness, for without these traits of character no man can hope to be a successful teacher of hawks, or, indeed, of any other being whatever. When thoroughly tamed, the Peregrine Falcon displays a very considerable amount of attachment to its owner, and even while flying at perfect liberty will single him out from a large company, fly voluntarily towards him, and perch lovingly on his hand or shoulder. Several of these beantiful birds that had heen tamed by Mr. Sinclair were so thoroughly domes- ticated that they were permitted to range at liberty, and were generally accustomed to perch ona tree near the house. One of these Falcons was permitted to seek her own food whenever she could not find any meat upon the accustomed spot, and would take flights of several miles in extent. Yet she would immediately recognize her master if he were out shooting, and would aid him by striking down the grouse as they rose before his dogs. On one occasion the fearless bird met with an accident which might have proved fatal, but was ultimately found to be of little consequence. Unaware of the presence of his Falcon, her master fired at a grouse, and THE LANNER. 59 as the bird was at the same moment making a ‘‘stoop’’ upon the bird, one of the leaden pellets struck the Falcon, and inflicted a slight wound. The dash and fury with which this hawk makes its stoop is almost incredible. In a coast town a part of a greenhouse had been divided off by wire, so as to form an aviary, the roof of the aviary being the glass tiling of the greenhouse. In this edifice were placed a number of small birds, which attracted the attention of a Peregine Falcon that was passing overhead. Totally unmindful of all obstacles, he shot crashing through the glass without injuring himself in the least, seized one of the terrified birds, and carried it off in safety. Several other birds were found dead, apparently from fright, or perhaps by the shock of the hawk and glass which came flying among their number. It is said that when the Peregrine Falcon takes up its residence near the moors it is a very mischievous neighbor, slaughtering annually great numbers of grouse. Although very fond of pigeons and similar game, the Peregrine Falcon seems to have sufficient sporting spirit to prefer the grouse to the pigeon, and never to trouble itself about the latter bird as long as it has a chance of obtaining one of the former. The American Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus), called also Duck Hawk, is one of the most graceful and powerful of the race. It is found over the entire continent and adjacent islands. A northern variety is thought to be identical with the European species. This bird is a resident of New England throughout the year, usually seen on the sea shore ; its trivial name indicates its favorite prey. It is a very powerful and swift flyer, the terror of water-fowl, its legiti- mate prey. It abounds in con- siderable number in Labrador. Audubon found them breed- ing on the same rocks with cormorants. With the hunter along our coast this bird has a reputation for most extraordi- nary daring. He rushes with intense impetuosity upon his prey, and often strikes it dead before it reaches the ground. He is known to attack wild geese and bear them down from the flock as they pass over at considerable height. This is the bird par excel- Zence known in heraldry. It is graceful and sagacious in aspect. Two prominent char- acters distinguish it from other species : a broad patch of black below the eye, and very large feet. Its extent of wing is three feet eight inches. It is notable that this bird is con- siderably smaller than several of the buzzards that feed on the insignificant insect food. Xe Wi y1)))P. Ms THE true LANNER (Falco LANNER.— Falco lanarius. lanarius) is a native of north- ern Europe. It is a rather large bird, considerably exceeding the Peregrine Falcon in its dimensions, and being little inferior in size to the Jerfalcon itself. This bird was formerly 60 THE MERLIN. much esteemed for the purpose of falconry, and was specially trained to fiy at the kite, a bird which is too strong to afford the ordinary Peregrine Falcon any possible hope of success. The male of this species is considerably smaller than his mate, and is therefore called a Lanneret. THe Pratrie Fantcon (Mierofalco mexicans), called also the American Lanner, is, according to Prof. Baird, so near the European form that it is difficult to separate them. Dr. Cooper regards it as the shyest and swiftest of hawks. It frequents prairies, and feeds on hares, grouse, and even larger game at times. Tur small, but exquisitely shaped Hopsy is found spread over the greater part of the Old World, specimens having been taken in northern Africa, and in many portions of Asia, as HOBBY.—Falco subbuteo. well as in Europe, which seems to be its chief residence. From all accounts, it seems to be rather alocal bird, being partially influenced by the nature of the ground and the quantity of food which it is able to procure. This bird appears to favor inland and well-wooded lands rather than the sea-shore or the barren rocks; thus presenting a strong contrast to the Peregrine Falcon. We may find an obvious reason for this preference in the fact that a considerable proportion of its food is com- posed of the larger insects, especially of the fat-bodied beetles, which it seizes on the wing. Auttuoucn the smallest of the Faleonide, being only from ten to thirteen inches in eneth, according to the sex of the individua 1e MERLIN is one of the most dashing « lenetl rding to tl f tl lividual, the M f tl t dashing and brilliant of all the hawks, THE APLOMADO FALCON. 61 This beautiful little bird is almost invaluable to the young falconer, as it is so docile in disposition, and so remarkably intelligent in character, that it repays his instructions much sooner than any of the more showy, but less teachable Falcons. Every movement of this admirable little hawk is full of life and vivacity ; its head turns sharply from side to side as it sits on its master’s hand, its eyes almost flame with fiery eagerness, and it ever and anon gives vent to its impatience by a volley of ear-piercing shrieks. There is, however, a singular capri- ciousness in the character of the Merlin, for it seems to be so sensi- tive to certain influences which are quite imperceptible to human organ- ization, that the same individual which on one day or at one hour is full of fierce energy, chasing large and powerful birds of its own ac- cord, following the erratic course of the snipe with a wing as agile and far more enduring than its own, or shooting suddenly through the tangled branches of the under- wood in pursuit of some prey that is fleeing to the leafy abode for refuge, will at another time become listless and inanimate, and even if it be induced to fly at its quarry, will turn suddenly away as if alarmed, and return languidly to its perch. THE Pickton Hawk (Aesalon columbarius). This is a small bird, but little larger than the domestic Pigeon. Jt is bold and swift of flight. It is a common visitor in New England during the spring and autumn. It is found in every portion of the continent of SY i North America. Though so small, MERLIN.—Fatco aesaton. it has been used in falconry. Sev- eral varieties are known in different parts of the country. "NIC Lp) OS? (Kaunnoas te X38 TuE APLoMADO Fatcon (Rhynchofalco fusco-cerulescens) isa southern species, inhabiting all parts of South America, and reaching north as far as New Mexico. It is about the size of the latter species, and has been trained as a hunting Falcon. The Chilians esteem it highly as such. The genus Hypotriorchis is rather rich in interesting birds, among which may be noticed the Pigeon Hawk of America and the Chicquera Falcon of India. The former of these birds is found not only on our continent, but also in parts of the West Indies. Generally, however, it is found in Southern America, where it is rather plentiful, and may be seen hunting for its prey in the proper localities. It is a spirited and swift-winged bird, although not a very large one, measuring barely eleven inches in length, and not quite two feet in the expanse of wing. A rather remarkable peculiarity in its plumage is found in the feathery covering of the legs, which is singularly long, the tips of the feathers reaching nearly to the feet. The usual prey of the Pigeon Hawk consists of mice, small birds, reptiles, and various 62 THE KESTREL. insects, and it has a remarkably sharp eye for any unfortunate half-fledged bird that may have strayed from its nest, or crippled itself in its first endeavors to fly. It is a terrible foe to the reed birds, grackles, and other similar members of the winged race ; hovering continually about the crowded flocks, and picking off the stragglers or the weakly at leisure. Sometimes, however, the Hawk seems to lose patience, and dashing suddenly into the flock, will bear away an unfortunate bird from the midst of its companions. It has derived the name of Pigeon Hawk, because it is well known as one of the numerous birds of prey that hover around the myriad armies of the Passenger Pigeon, as they make their wonderful migrations which have rendered them so famous. Further information concerning this bird may be obtained from the pages of Wilson and Audubon. Tue last member of this genus which can be separately noticed in the present work is the CHICQUERA Fatcon, of India. This bird is often trained by the native sportsmen, and employed for the purpose of chasing the bustard and similar game. It is not good at an aerial flight, and therefore is not used against soaring game; but when employed in the pursuit of the running birds, its peculiar low, skimming flight is admirably adapted to the purpose. In order to keep the bustard from taking to wing, a Hawk of another species is trained to fly above the quarry and beat it down whenever it endeavors to raise itself into the air and escape by flight. Tuts fine bird, which is called the Brown Hawk, or CREAM-BELLIED Fatcon, by civilized men, and the Berigora by the natives, is an inhabitant of Van Diemen’s Land and New South Wales. Tt isa rather sluggish and slow-moving bird, easily obtaining a sufficiency of food, and then settling down upon some neighboring tree until the calls of hunger urge it to fresh exertions. The principal food of the Brown Hawk consists of insects, although it will also eat carrion, and kills mice, small birds, lizards, and other crea- tures. The land-holding colonists think it to be a great pest, because it sometimes picks up a young chicken or two; but in the opinion of Mr. Gould it is in reality one of the farmer’s best friends, on account of its services in destroying the insect hosts with which Australia is overrun. Although it is not a gregarious bird, living only in pairs, it may be seen assembled in flocks of a hundred or more, congregated over the localities where the destructive caterpillars most abound. So plentiful is this bird, and so sluggish is its character, that they may be seen seated in the tall eucalypti, thirty or forty occupying a single tree, and all so ill-disposed to move that any number of them may be killed with- out difficulty. THE common KEsTREL is one of the most fami- liar of the European Hawks, being seen in almost every part of the country where a mouse, a lizard, or a beetle may be found. It may be easily distinguished while on the wing from any other hawk, by the peculiar manner KESTREL.—Faleo tinnunculus. in which it remains poised in air in a single spot, its head invariably pointing towards the wind, its tail spread, and its wings widely extended, almost as if it were a toy kite raised in the air e THE LITTLE FALCON. 63 by artificial means, and preserved in the same spot by the trammels of a string. While hanging thus strangely suspended in the air, its head is bent downwards, and its keen eyes glance restlessly in every direction, watching every blade of grass beneath its ken, and shooting down with unerring certainty of aim upon any unhappy field-mouse that may be foolish enough to poke his red face out of his hole while the Kestrel is on the watch. The marvellous powers of the Kestrel’s eye may be easily imagined by any one who has any experi- ence of the field-mouse and the extreme difficulty of seeing the little creature while it is creep- ing among the grass straws. Its ruddy coat blends so well with the mold, and the grass blades bend so slightly under the pressure of its soft fur, that an unpractised eye would fail to detect the mouse even if its precise locality were pointed out. The number of field-mice consumed by this hawk is very great, for it is hardly possible to open the stomach of a Kestrel without finding the remains of one or more of these destructive little animals. On account of its mouse-eating propensities, the Kestrel is a most useful bird to the farmer, who in his ignorance confounds all hawks together, and shoots the Kestrel because the kite steals his chickens. ANOTHER species, which belongs to the same genus as the kestrel, is the Rep-rooTED Fatcon or Inertan Faucon (Zinniinculus vespertinus), having its usual residence in Austria, Russia, and Poland. Specimens have also been taken in Athens, Nepal, and Tunis, so that the species seem to have a very extensive range of coun- try. It goes through consider- able changes of tinting before its plumage attains the adult colors, but the full-grown bird may readily be distinguished from the common kestrel by the legs and toes, which are of a reddish flesh-tint, instead of the yellow hue which is found in the former bird. The claws, too, instead of being black, are yellowish-white, deepening into a grayish-brown on the tips. Amona other members of the same genus, we may notice the Lirrtre Fatcon (Zinniin- culus sparvérius) of America, an interesting account of which bird may be found in the pages of ‘‘Wilson’s American Orni- thology.’? Its habits are very similar to those of the common 7 kestrel, and, like that bird, it ee preys chiefly on mice, lizards, RED-FOOTED FALCON.—Falco vespertinus. grasshoppers, and the larger insects. It will, however, attack and carry off chickens and the young of other birds during the breeding-season. Its nest is always made on some elevated situation, and is generally found on the top of a lofty tree, although the bird sometimes builds upon rocks, in the crev- ices of towers, or even in the hollows of trees. 64 THE GOSHAWE. Tore Norouep Fancon is remarkable for the peculiar form of the beak, which exhibits a double notch or tooth on each side, and has therefore been distinguished by the specific title of bidentatus, or ‘* two-toothed.”’ This species is a native of southern America, being found most commonly in Brazil and Guinea. In size it is about equal to the common kestrel, its length being thirteen or fourteen inches. The general color of the Notched Falcon is a slaty-blue or blue-gray upon the upper surface of the body, and the tail is dusky-brown, marked with several transverse bars of grayish-white. The throat and under tail-coverts are white, and the breast and abdomen are rusty-red, marked with undulating streaks of yellowish-white. Very little is known of the habits of this species, but on account of the peculiar form of its beak, it cannot be passed over without notice. THE members of an allied genus, termed Jeraz, also possess a similarly formed beak, but the structure of the wings and arrangement of the feathers are so different as to give reason for placing the bird in a separate genus. One of the most beautiful examples of this genus is the little BrenaaL FaLoon (lerax cerulescens), a native of Java, Borneo, and many parts of Se NN BENGAL FALCON.—Falco cerulescens. India. This tiny Falcon is barely six inches in length, and is popularly known in India by the name of ‘‘ Mooty,’’ a word which signifies ‘‘a handful,’ and is given to the bird because, when it is flown at game, it is taken in the hand and flung at the quarry as if it were a stone rather than a living missile. It is a most daring little bird, and has been known to strike in succession ten or twelve quails before alighting. The general color of this species is bluish- black above, and rusty-white below. The plumage of the thighs is long and silken, and the wings are comparatively short. WE now come to a large and important genus of hawks, which is represented in England by the GosHawk. This handsome bird is even larger than the jerfalcon, the length of an adult male being eighteen inches, and that of his mate rather more than two feet. It is not, however, 80 power- ful or so swift-winged a bird as the jerfalcon, and its mode of taking prey is entirely different. THE G@SHAWE. 65 The jerfalcon dashes at every flying creature that may take its fancy, and attacks successfully the largest winged game.. But the Goshawk, although possessed of the most undaunted courage and of great muscular power, is unable to cope with such opponents, and prefers ter- restrial to aerial quarry. Owing to the shape of the wing, and comparative shortness of the feathers, the Goshawk is unable to take long flights, or to urge a lengthened and persevering chase. Moreover, although its courage is of the most determined character, it soon loses heart if often baffled by the same quarry, and in such cases will turn sulky and yield the chase. When trained, the Goshawk is best employed at hares, rabbits, and other furred game, and in this particular sport is unrivalled. Its mode of hunting is singularly like that of the chetah, which has already been men- tioned in the volume on the Mammalia. Like that animal, it is not nearly so swift as its prey, and therefore is ob- liged to steal upon them, and seize its victim by a sudden and unexpected pounce. When it has once grasped its prey, it is rarely found to loose its hold, even by the most violent strug- gles or the most furious attack. The gripe is so enormously powerful, that a Goshawk has often been observed to pounce upon a large hare, and to main- tain its hold even though the animal sprang high into the air, and then rolled upon the ground, in the vain hope of shaking off his feathered an- tagonist. Only the female bird is able to cope with so powerful a creature as a full-grown hare or rabbit; for the male, although more swift of wing, and therefore better adapted for chasing birds than the female, is comparativeiy feeble. Tt never attempts to follow its quarry into cover, as is done by the Peregrine and Merlin, but if its in- tended prey should seek safety in some GOSHAWK.—Astur palwmbarius. place of refuge, the Goshawk perches upon a convenient bough and waits patiently. As the hawk is very endurant of hunger, although sufficiently ravenous when it meets with a supply of food, it ‘‘ wins, like Fabius, by delay,” and pounces upon the unlucky quarry, as it steals out in search of food or water. When it has once seized its prey, it is full of exultation, and being generally rather of a ferocious dis- position, is apt to turn savagely upon the hand that attempts to remove it from its victim. Its temper, indeed, is so bad, that if it should happen to escape from its jesses and get among other Falcons, it will almost certainly attack and kill as many of them as it can reach. For the same reason it needs to be kept constantly hooded, and is less to be trusted at liberty than any other Falcon. Its short flights, however, render its recapture a comparatively easy mat- ter, so that there is but little danger of losing it. Its constitution is very hardy, and as it will feed on almost any animal nourishment, it gives very little trouble to its owner. This species is found spread over nearly the whole of Europe and Asia, and has also been seen in Northern Africa. The nest of this bird is generally placed on the topmost boughs of some lofty tree, and the eggs are of a uniform spotless blue-white. Their number is from three to four, and the young are hatched about May or the beginning of June. Vou. IL.—9. Paras 66 THE NEW HOLLAND WHITE EAGLE. In color, the adult birds of both sexes are very similar to each other, the tinting of the plumage being briefly as follows: The top of the head and the entire upper portions of the body and wings are gray-brown, and the under portions of the body, together with a band over the cheeks and the back of the neck, are nearly white, diversified with numerous irregwar spots, splashes, and partial bars of black. The cheeks and ear-coverts are dark grayish. brown, the upper surface of the tail is the same hue as the back, and barred with dark brown ; the under tail-coverts are white. The cere, legs, and toes are yellow, the claws black, and the beak blue-black. In the female the gray brown of the back is a more ruddy hue, and in the young the plumage is curiously diversified with reddish-white, buff and gray. Toe AMERICAN Gosnawk (Astur atricapillus)—Wilson says of this magnificent bird : “Tf this be not the celebrated Goshawk, formerly so much esteemed in falconry, it is very closely allied to it.’ Audubon says: ‘‘ His flight is extremely rapid and protracted. He sweeps along the margin of the fields, through the woods, and by the edges of ponds and rivers, with such speed as to enable him to seize his prey by merely deviating a few yards from his course, assisting himself on such occasions by his long tail, which, like a rudder, he throws to the right or the left, upwards or downwards to check his progress, or enable him suddenly to change his course. At times he passes like a meteor through the underwood, where he secures hares and squirrels with ease. Should a flock of wild pigeons pass him, he immedi- ately gives chase, soon overtakes them, and passing into the middle of the flock, scatters them in confusion, when you may see him emerging with a bird in his talons, and diving towards the depths of the forests to feed upon his victim. When travelling he flies high, with a constant beat of wing, seldom moving in large circles like other Hawks.”’ This Hawk is regarded as the one par excellence as a trained hunter. It is the species most frequently alluded to in falconry. The female is, as is common to the Hawks, much the largest. She is able to bear off a hare of considerable size. The Goshawk is the handsomest of the falcons ; its light-colored plumage and great size suggest the gerfalcons. The wonderfully erect and noble attitude of this bird is a pleasurable sight. Tur SHarp SHInNED Hawk (Accipiter fuscus) is a small, slender bird, with exceedingly delicate and long legs. It is known to the entire continent of North America. It is one of the most common summer residents in New England. So impetuous is this little Hawk, Mr. Nuttall says he has been known to dash through two distinct glass doors in his effort to reach his prey. It is distinguished in its flight by a peculiar manner ; its short wings and long tail giving it a characteristic aspect. It isa very much like the Goshawk in miniature. Wilson was greatly impressed with the dash of this delicate little bird. Its long legs appear no larger than pipe-stems, yet they bear an important part in the action of the little creature. ‘‘It seemed to throw itself from one quarter of the heavens to another, with pro- digious velocity ; inclining to the earth, swept suddenly down into a thicket, and instantly reappeared with a small bird in his talons. The rapidity and seeming violence of these zigzag excursions were really remarkable, and appeared to be for seizing his prey by sudden surprise and main force of flight.’? The female of this species is remarkable for its greater size than the male. Another species of Wisws is named for Dr. Cooper, of California. It is found in most parts of North America. Harris’ Buzzarp (Antinor unicinctus) is a southern species, with a limited range. Like most of the Buzzards it feeds on mice and reptiles, and is heavy and sluggish in habit. GruBer’s Hawk (Onychotes gruberi). This single species of a genus peculiar to this conti- nent is so rare that only one specimen is known; that is preserved in the Smithsonian Institute. A very beautiful species of this genus, the New Hottanp Waite Eacte (Astur nove hollandia) is found in Australia, and is remarkable for the frequency with which its plumage THE SPARROW HAWK. 67 assumes a snowy-white hue, the ordinary coloring being gray above and white below. The eyes of this bird are very curious, for in some specimens they are of a rich brown, in others of a topaz-yellow, while in others they are ruby-red. The cere, legs, and claws are yellow, and the bill black. The disproportion between the comparative dimensions of the sexes is remark- ably great in this species, the male being barely half the size of his mate. THe well-known Sparrow Hawk is almost as familiar to us as the kestrel, the two birds being, indeed, often confounded with each other by those who ought to know better. This fine and active little bird is an inhabitant of many portions of the world, being very common in nearly all parts of Europe, equally so in Egypt and Northern Africa, and being very fre- quently found in India and other Asiatic countries. The genus Accipiter finds representatives in every quarter of the globe, species being found in North and South Ameri- ca, in Madagascar, in West- ern and Southern Africa, in Java, and Australia. The Sparrow Hawk is not so often seen as might be imagined, for it is a most wild, shy, and wary bird, and never ventures near human dwellings, or within a considerable distance 6f human beings, unless urged by hunger or carried away by the ardor of pursuit. As a general rule, to get within ordinary gunshot of a Spar- row Hawk is no easy mat- ter; but if the Hawk be watched as he is hovering about a flock of sparrows or rather small birds, he may be approached with- out much difficulty, his entire attention being en- gaged on his expected prey. Indeed, while engaged in 9 oe ‘Ve \\ WY \\ the chase, the ardor of this _.2°«“Gee_,, ff; CA/\\\ \\\\ \\N bird is so great, that all Tee at X\9y K-SAHBMARGT its faculties seem to be SPARROW HAWK.—Astur nisus. absorbed in the gratifica- tion of the ruling passion, and it is evidently unmindful of anything but its flying prey. A Sparrow Hawk has even been known to dash furiously at a man who endeavored to rescue a small bird which it had attacked. The courage of the Sparrow Hawk is of the most reckless character, for the bird will fly unhesitatingly at almost at any other inhabitant of air, no matter what its size may be. Mr. Thompson relates the following curious instance of the exceeding audacity of this bird : ‘Once, at the end of July, when walking along the sides of a river, I was attracted by the loud screams of herons, which appeared above the trees at the north-west extremity of a park. A couple of these giants of the air kept flying above the tops of the trees with tremendous up- roar in consequence of the presence of a single Sparrow Hawk. ‘This bird was circling about, and the herons awkwardly and quite unavailingly endeavoring to strike him. Flying quite 68 THE SPARROW HAWK. at ease, his turns were so short, and at the sametime so full of grace, that he seemed to laugh to scorn their heavy, lumbering movements. “The herons’ savage cries were apparently—evidently might almost be said—caused by the Hawk’s make-believe attempts to carry off their young, as they were particularly violent and vociferous whenever he made a swoop—as I remarked him to do thrice—at the top of a particular tree. It seemed a mere play or bravado on the part of the Hawk, as he could easily, in spite of the herons, have borne off the contents of the nest any time, were the prey not too bulky for his purpose. Mr. R. Langton has not only observed a wild Sparrow Hawk strike his sea-eagles when perching on their sheds, but when his golden eagle was on the wing, has seen one of these birds strike it when passing, and once even witnessed the Hawk’s turn- ing back and repeating the impertinence.”’ The same author also mentions several instances of the extreme audacity of the Sparrow Hawk when urged by hunger. One of these birds actually snatched up a little white pea- chick, selecting it from the rest of the brood, while a lady was engaged in feeding it. A similar circumstance occurred to a gamekeeper who was feeding young pheasants, a Sparrow Hawk suddenly sweeping down upon them and carrying off one of their number. Next day it repeated the attempt, but as the keeper had taken the precaution to bring his gun, the Hawk fell a victim to his own temerity. Again, as some persons were shooting dunlins from a boat, a Sparrow Hawk suddenly shot through the smoke of the discharged gun, and poising itself for an instant, swept a wounded dunlin from the surface of the water with such marvel- lous dexterity, that it did not wet a feather of its wings. In consequence of the headlong courage possessed by this handsome little Hawk, it is very valuable to the faleoner if property trained, for it will dash at any quarry which may be pointed out to it. Unfortunately, however, the Sparrow Hawk is one of the most difficult and refractory of pupils, being shy to a singular degree, slow at receiving a lesson and quick at for- getting it. Besides, its temper is of a very crabbed and uncertain nature, and it is so quarrel- some, that if several of these birds should be fastened to the same perch, or placed in the same cage, they will certainly fight each other, and, in all probability, the conqueror will eat his vanquished foe. Such an event has actually occurred, the victrix—for it was a female—kill- ing and devouring her intended spouse. Few birds are so easily startled as the Sparrow Hawk, for even when it is comparatively tame, the presence of a stranger, or even the shadow of passing bird in the air, will throw it into a paroxysm of excitement, during which it seems to lose all consciousness of external objects. This curious trait of character a practical falconer describes most graphically in the following terms: ‘‘The young falconer will naturally be disappointed to find the bird which came so well to hand yesterday, now on the first day of its being carried, stare wildly with its mad eyes, and bate violently. It will probably hang down at the end of the jesses and swivel, and dart off again the moment it is quietly replaced. More than this, the very power of standing will appear to have left it; the claws will be clenched and distorted ; the whole creature will be changed ; instead of a tolerably bold and very handsome bird, the transition of a few minutes will present you with a terrified, crouching, vicious, abject wretch ; a horrible mixture of fright and feathers. ‘*Some people think that the helpless look of the feet and legs arises only from temper, and that itisasham. It may arise from temper, but it isnotasham. It appears to me that this bird’s brain is overcharged with electricity or something fearfully subtle; and that on the smallest provocation, these fluids shoot through the whole frame, overturning and decaying everything that is healthy and regular. The Sparrow Hawk’s legs are, during these fits of fright and passion, ina temporary paralysis. Still, they are of short duration, and when the bird is trained, they pass away altogether.’? The same writer sums up the character of the Sparrow Hawk as a pupil in the following energetic language: ‘‘ The Sparrow Hawk is, in my opinion, the wildest, in some sense the most intractable, the most ungrateful, the most pro- voking and temper-trying of all birds or beasts that ever were taken under the care of man from the beginning of the world.” THE SPARROW HAWK. 69 With this writer’s opinion my own experience to a very great measure coincides, though as I never attempted to train a Sparrow Hawk to falconry, I cannot answer for some of its deficiencies. One of these birds afforded an excellent example of the shyness and timidity above men- tioned. Although he was most kindly treated and liberally fed, he used to scream in the most ear-piercing manner when approached, even by the person who generally carried his food. The only companion whose presence he would tolerate, was a little Skye terrier, named Rosy, and the two strangely matched comrades used to execute the most singular gambols together, the dog generally taking the initiative, and persecuting the Hawk until she forced him to fiy. The great object of the dog was to catch the Hawk by the wing, while the bird gave his atten- tion to flying at the dog’s throat, hanging on by his claws and boxing her ears with his wings until she was fain to shake him off. Once, Rosy caught the Hawk by his tail, and having the game all her own way, careered round the yard in great exultation, dragging after her the unfor- tunate Hawk, who could not possibly resist or retaliate, and was reduced to scream abjectly for succor. Another Sparrow Hawk which I procured for some time was, curiously enough, a most arrant coward, and so far from chasing the little birds, as was his duty, and keeping them from eating the peas and fruit, he allowed them to bully him shamefully, and wouid run away from a wagtail. The little birds soon learned his incapacity, and the blue titmice used to watch the time when he was fed, and run off with the meat before his eyes. The bird was not a young one when it came into my possession, and had probably been broken in spirit by cruel treatment. The credit of the race was, however, better kept up by a Sparrow Hawk that belonged to a lady friend, but it was not taught any artificial accomplishments. The bird took a great fancy to its mistress, and would perch on her shoulder or eat from her hand. But it would - permit no other person to touch it, neither would it allow any one to approach its mistress while it was at hand. in such cases it would fly savagely at the fancied foe, and was so deter- mined in its attack upon the ankles, that any one who attempted to cross its path was obliged to fend it off with an umbrella, which it would fight and scold as it was being pushed away. It was a terrible thief, and crafty to a degree. Once, having made itself acquainted with the fact that a partridge was hanging in the larder, it hung about until it saw a servant approaching the spot. As soon as she opened the door, the Hawk shot noiselessly over her head, and sat quietly until she had retired. It then proceeded to demolish the partridge. Between this servant and the Hawk there was a deadly feud, owing to a depredation com- mitted by the bird and resented by the servant. A chicken had just been plucked and was lying on the kitchen table, when the Hawk glided softly through the door, and perching on the chicken, had devoured its breast before the theft was discovered. The servant struck it with a broom, when the bird flew at her head, and pushing its claws into her hair, it buffeted her face with its wings, and could not be removed until it had torn out no small quantity of hair. After a while the bird disappeared, perhaps stolen, but very probably killed by its foe. The propensity of the Sparrow Hawk to attack larger birds of prey has already been mentioned, and the creature only suffers poetical justice in being made the subject of similar attacks. The swallows and other swift-winged birds are wonderfully fond of mobbing the Sparrow Hawk, although in many instances they pay dearly for their audacity. I once saw a Sparrow Hawk that was being mobbed by a number of sand martins, and was flying about in a seemingly purposeless and bewildered manner, suddenly turn on its pursuers, seize one of them in its terrible grasp, and instantly sail away bearing its screaming victim in its talons. The Hawk was almost within reach when this circumstance occurred. The general color of the adult male is dark brown upon the upper surface of the head, body, and wings, softening into gray as the bird increases in years. The entire under surface is rusty brown, marked with narrow bands of a darker hue ; the long and slender legs and toes are yellow, as is the cere, but with a tinge of green; the long, sharp, armed claws are black, and the beak is a slate-blue, darkening towards the point. The length of the male bird is about one foot. The female, which is about fifteen inches in length, is colored differently from 70 THE SECRETARY BIRD. her mate, the upper parts of her body and wings being hardly so rich a tint as in the male bird, and covered with numerous little white spots, caused by the white hue which is found on the base of each feather. The primaries and rectrices are of a lighter brown, and colored with transverse dark bars, and the under surface of the body is gray-white, also barred trans- versely. These hues are also found in the young male, who has in addition a reddish edging to the feathers of the back. The nest of the Sparrow Hawk is placed in some elevated spot, and contains three or four eggs, rather variable in their marking, but always possessing a certain unmistakable character. The ground tint of the egg is a grayish-white, slightly tinged with blue, and a number of bold blotches of a very dark brown are placed upon the surface, sometimes scattered rather irregu- larly, but generally forming a broad ring round the larger end. The bird seldom troubles itself to build a new nest, but takes possession of the deserted tenement of a crow or rook. THE AmpricaANn SpaARROowW Hawk(Vinnunculus sparverius) is another of similar size, and of surpassing beauty of form and markings. It is known to every portion of North America, Several varieties or geographical races are known.