FALCONID^ — THE FALCONS. 121 



Mr. Donald Gunn claims that this Falcon is the only Hawk that is resi- 

 dent in the Arctic regions throughout the year. It is known to the Indians 

 by the name of Pepunesu, and this name is applied to it because it passes 

 the winter with them. It is a very powerful bird, and commits great havoc 

 among the Partridges, so much so that in former times the Hudson Bay 

 Company gave a reward of a quart of rum to every hunter who brought in 

 the head of one of these Falcons. All the other Hawks are only summer 

 visitors. 



Mr. Bannister was informed by the residents of St. Michaels that a Hawk, 

 presumed to be this species, is not unfrequent there, though he did not hap- 

 pen to meet with it. On his voyage home, on the 21st of October, 1866, 

 when off the coast of Kamtschatka, north of Behring's Island, one alighted 

 in the rigging of the ship, and continued with them for several hours. 



Although very rare in any part of the ITnited States, occasional individ- 

 uals have been taken in different localities, and in one instance a pair was 

 known to breed for several successive seasons in Vermont. This informa- 

 tion I have from Mr. Clarence King, who, when a lad at school in the town 

 of Dummerston, observed a pair nesting among some high cliffs, and in- 

 formed me of the fact at the time of the occurrence. One of these birds 

 is recorded by Mr. Lawrence as having been taken on Long Island in the 

 winter of 1856. 



Mr. Boardman gives it as occurring near Calais in winter, but very rare. 

 Professor Verrill found them not uncommon in Oxford County, Me., where 

 they were frequently seen during winter, flying about the extensive meadows 

 near Norway ; but they were very shy and watchful, and it was hardly pos- 

 sible to procure a specimen. It is very unusual in Eastern Massachusetts, 

 and only very rarely and occasionally liave specimens been taken. Mr. 

 Jillson obtained a specimen, in 1840, at Seekonk. One was shot, in 1864, 

 near Providence, R. I., by Mr. Newton Dexter. 



Mr. Audubon relates that, August 6, 1833, his son, John W. Audubon, 

 found a nest of this Falcon among some rocky cliffs near Bras d'Or, Labra- 

 dor, containing four young birds ready to fly, two of which were procured. 

 The nest was placed among the rocks, about fifty feet from their summit 

 and more than a hundred from their base. It was inaccessible, but, having 

 been examined from above, was seen to be empty. It was composed of 

 sticks, sea-weeds, and mosses, was about two feet in diameter, and was almost 

 flat. Its edges were strewed with the remains of their food, and beneath 

 the nest was an accumulation of the wings of Ptarmigans, Mormons, Urioe, 

 etc.,- mingled witli large pellets of fur, bones, and various substances. 



Their flight is spoken of as similar to that of the Peregrine Falcon, but 

 more elevated, majestic, and rapid. Tlieir cries were also like tliose of that 

 Falcon, being very loud, shrill, and piercing. Occasionally this bird was 

 seen to alight on one of the high stakes placed on the shore. There it 

 would stand, in the position of a Tern, for a few moments, and then would 

 VOL. ui. 16 



