60 BIRDS OF PREY. 



PIGEON-HAWK. 



(Falco columbarms. Lin. Wilson, Am. Orn. ii. p. 107. pi. 15. 

 fig. 3. Audubon, pi. 92.) 



Spec. Charact. — Dusky brown; beneath brownish- white, with 

 blackish longitudinal stripes ', the tail with 4 narrow white bands. 



This species is a little larger than the last, but by no 

 means so abundant ; though met with in latitude 48 de- 

 grees by Long's North-Western Expedition, and occa- 

 sionally extending its migrations as far as Hudson's Bay. 

 Like the former, it is, I believe, never seen in New Eng- 

 land, and chiefly inhabits and rears its young in the 

 Southern States. It is shy, skulking, and watchful, sel- 

 dom venturing beyond the unreclaimed forest, and flies 

 rapidly, but, I believe, seldom soars or hovers. Small 

 birds and mice constitute his principal food ; and, accord- 

 ing to Wilson, he follows often in the rear of the gregari- 

 ous birds, such as the Black-Birds, and Reed-Birds, as 

 well as after the flitting flocks of Pigeons and Robins, 

 picking up the stragglers, the weak and unguarded, as 

 his legitimate prey. Sometimes, when shot at without 

 effect, he will fly in circles around the gunner and utter 

 impatient shrieks, probably in apprehension for the safety 

 of his mate, or to communicate a cry of alarm. 



The 7nale is 11 inches long, and 23 broad. The female an inch 

 and a half longer. The whole upper parts are of deep dusky brown, 

 except the tail, which is thinly barred with white. The bill is of a 

 light bluish-grey, tipped with black. The skin round the eye green- 

 ish as well as the cere ; a line over the eye of lighter brown. The 

 lower parts brownish- white, striped with dark brown. Legs yellow ; 

 claws black. The thigh feathers remarkably long and striped. Iris 

 deep hazel. — The female darker, with some white on the hind- 

 head. 



