BIRDS OF 



This is the Bullet Hawk, the terror of the Ducks and 

 admiration of the sportsmen at the shooting stations, where he 

 is often seen, either capturing game on his own account or 

 appropriating what has been killed by the gunner before he has 

 time to pick it up. As it is known to breed in Massachusetts, 

 on the coast of Labrador, and in Alaska, it will most likely be 

 found also to do so in suitable places in Ontario, but at present 

 we have no satisfactory record of the fact. The steep rocky 

 ledges which overhang the blue waters of Lake Superior offer 

 inducements which the birds will hardly overlook, and we 

 expect yet to hear of their being found breeding there. 



While here the Peregrine is no loiterer, but follows the 

 migratory course of the waterfowl and fares sumptuously every 

 day. Ducks are his favorite game, and he need never be at a 

 loss, yet (by way of relish perhaps) we see him sometimes 

 scoop up a Sandpiper or a Mudhen, and pick its bones on an 

 elevation which commands a clear view for some distance around. 

 In Southern Ontario the Peregrine is seldom seen except in the 

 fall. 



Subgenus ^SALON Kaup. 



144. FALCO COLUMBARIUS Linn. 357. 



Pigeon Ha^rk. 



Tarsus scarcely feathered above, with the plates in front enlarged, 

 appearing like a double row of alternating scutellae (and often with a few true 

 scutellas at base) ; ist and 2nd quill emarginated on inner web. 



Adult-ir.alc, above ashy-blue, sometimes almost blackish, sometimes 

 much paler ; below pale fulvous or ochreous, whitish on the throat, the 

 breast and sides with large oblong dark-brown spots with black shaft lines ; 

 the tibiae reddish, streaked with brown ; inner w-ebs of primaries with about 

 eight transverse white or whitish spots ; tail tipped with white, and with the 

 outer feather whitening ; with a broad subterminal black zone and 3-4 black 

 bands alternating with whitish ; cere greenish-yellow. Female with the 

 upper parts ashy -brown ; the tail with 4-5 indistinct whitish bands ; about 

 13 ; wing, 8 ; tail, 5 ; male, smaller. 



Hab. The whole of North America, south to the West Indies and 

 Northern South America. 



Nest, in a hole in a tree, or on a branch, or on rocks. 



Eggs, yellowish-brown, blotched with brown of a darker shade. 



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