ARCHIBUTEO FERRUGINEUS, FERRUGINEOUS BUZZARD. 3G5 



ments of predatory habits, rarely attack any animal more formidable 

 than a mouse or ground squirrel, or in some cases a frog or other of the 

 weaker species of reptiles." As in vsome cases of conspicuous personages, 

 become regal by the accident of a name, attributes of royalty compare 

 nnfavorably with its apparatus. The contrast between the physique of 

 Eough legged Hawks and their venatorial exploits, is striking, and 

 illustrates well the fact, that muscular effectiveness is not always co- 

 ordinate with its mass. The force of a little Falcon's onslaught is some- 

 thing more than that of its falling weight; this would tell to little effect, 

 compared with the result of its weight at high velocity. Granting the 

 heavy Buzzards commensurate courage to act with all their force, they 

 cannot, nevertheless, acquire the requisite speed, and so fail of momen- 

 tum, the product of mass and motion. Excepting during their occasional 

 aerial evolutions, when they ai)pear to circle lightly, they are retarded 

 by their own weight, and are generally observed winnowing low over 

 the ground with almost laborious movement. They pick up their prey 

 as they pass by, dipping obliquely, and it requires no great agility to 

 elude their clutch. Most small birds, it seems, evade capture, so that 

 the Hawks chiefly confine themselve to less active quarry. 



But we must not hastily conclude that the Ferrugineous Buzzard is 

 spiritless because its courage is seldom conspicuous. I have seen it 

 fight bravely at desperate odds. Biding through an open glade, I once 

 observed a Hawk of this species perched on the top of a dead tree that 

 stood alone. Anxious as I was to secure it, I could only ride carelessly 

 along, for there was no cover, and the bird had already marked me. I 

 pretended not to notice it, gradually drawing nearer without altering 

 my horse's pace or making a movement. The ruse succeeded, and 1 was 

 almost to the tree before the bird unfolded his broad wings and launched 

 into the air. Without even drawing rein I threw up. my gun, and the 

 report echoed from the rocks beyond. But the Hawk sailed on, and I 

 thought 1 had missed, till, following him with wistful eyes, I saw his 

 course gradually lower, and at last he fell heavily to the earth, several 

 hundred yards away. I hastened to the spot, flushed with gratification, 

 but it was a sad sight after all. Shot had penetrated the bird's lungs, 

 and he lay on his breast with wide-stretched wings and drooping head, 

 breathing heavily, while the blood trickled from his beak. Thinking 

 life almost extinct, I disniounted and came up to him, when in an instant 

 he roused, recognized his extremity, and dared me to touch him — for 

 with a convulsive effort he threw himself on his back, stretched out his 

 talons defiantly, and snapped wrathfully, while the old fire flashed again 

 in his eyes. But the eft'ort was too much ; while striking wildly, a fresh 

 stream of blood welled up from his throat, he shivered, his eye grew 

 filmy again, and he lay dead on the stained greensward. Who could but 

 atlmire the pride that disdained to yield, even at the point of death ? 



This method of approaching Hawks is frequently successful, and not 

 seldom the only one that can be employed when the birds are in exposed 

 situations. Ten to one, when perched on a tree-top, they have already 

 esi>ied you beibre you noticed them, and are watching your movements. 

 If you show they are observed, by attempting to work up to tlu'ni, they 

 susjject at once, and are oft' at their own convenience. But they appear 

 to be less alVaid of a mounted jierson than of one afoot, and may be 

 often ai)proached indirectly, with the simple i)re('aution of not making 

 them aware they are themselves observed. Bide until just within range, 

 Jind shoot on the instant; you will have a fair snap shot, ]>rol)ably just 

 as the bird spreads its wings, alarmed at your sudden stoi). Tlie same 



