Deane on Flight of Hawks in 1858. 13 



AN UNUSUAL FLIGHT OF HAWKS IN 1858. 



BY RUTHVEN DEANE. 



The following letter is not only of interest in itself, but the 

 fact that it is addressed to Audubon's two sons, John Wood- 

 house and Victor Gifford, adds to its historical value. While 

 it is well known that there are conspicuously large migrations 

 of hawks every spring and fall, when birds are almost con- 

 tinually in sight and at times lasting several consecutive days, 

 vet such a one as here described quite reminds us of the enor- 

 mous flights of the Passenger Pigeon in the early days, as re- 

 lated by Audubon and Wilson. 



As to the thirteen specimens shot being those of the Gos- 

 hawk, would seem most unlikely, as all authorities for the state 

 quote the species, not only as a winter visitor, but one of quite 

 rare occurrence. 



I am much indebted to Miss M. R. Audubon, who has re- 

 cently presented me with this letter : 



"Cincti, Sept. 27th, 1858. 

 "My Dear Sirs, 



I wish to communicate an important fact in natural history, 

 never known to me before, and which I would hardly have 

 believed, had it not been witnessed by an old friend, who is a 

 good observed of nature- — Mr. G. C. Coney 1 — in whose ve- 

 racity I can place the most implicit confidence. 



"On the 17th inst., at 8 o'clock A. M.. he went out with his 

 gun, when he happened to see, what he considered a rather 

 large flock of hawks, but upon casting his eyes around, he saw 

 as far as he could see a continuous stream of them coming. 



"This flock was about 40 yards in width, and took by his 

 watch one and a half hours to pass. 



"They came from N. N. E. and flew S. S. W. They sailed 

 in a direct line with extended wings, but at certain distances 

 some of them kept wheeling around and around in a circle, and 

 were joined by others, while some of them floated off again 

 with the main stream. 



"He shot two of them which were a little lower than the rest. 

 As it was such an unusual sight, when he saw them he im- 

 mediately ran and shouted for some of the neighbors, who all 

 witnessed the facts. 



1 George C. Coney, St. Marys, Ohio. An enthusiastic and well 

 known sportsman, as well as a keen observer of birds. Died sev- 

 eral years ago. 



