24 GREAT-FOOTED HAWK. 



upon the ducks when on the wing, and sti-iking them down with the pro- 

 jecting bone of its breast. Even the wild geese were said to be in 

 danger from its attacks, it having been known to sacrifice them to its 

 rapacity. 



To behold this hero, the terror of the wild fowl, and the wonder of 

 the sportsmen, was the chief object of our wishes. Day after day did 

 we traverse the salt marshes, and explore the ponds and estuaries, where 

 the web-footed tribes assemble in immense multitudes, in the hope of ob- 

 taining the imperial depredator ; even all the shooters of the district were 

 summoned to our aid, with the assurance of a great reward if they pro- 

 cured him, but without success. At length, in the month of December, 

 1812, to the unspeakable joy of Wilson, he received from Egg Harbor 

 a fine specimen of the far-famed Duck Hawk ; which was discovered, 

 contrary to his expectations, to be of a species which he had never 

 before beheld. 



If we were to repeat all the anecdotes which have been related to us 

 of the achievements of the Duck Hawk, they would swell our pages at 

 the expense, probably, of our reputation. Naturalists should be always 

 on their guard when they find themselves compelled to resort to the 

 observations of others ; and record nothing as fact, which has not been 

 submitted to the temperate deliberations of reason. The neglect of this 

 procedure has been a principal cause, why errors and absurdities have 

 so frequently deformed the pages of works of science, which, like a plain 

 mirror, ought to reflect only the true images of nature. 



From the best sources of information, we learn that this species is 

 adventurous and powerful ; that it darts upon its prey with astonishing 

 velocity ; and that it strikes with its formidable feet, permitting the duck 

 to fall previously to securing it. The circumstance of the hawk's never 

 carrying the duck off on striking it, has given rise to the belief of that 

 service being performed by means of the breast, which vulgar opinion 

 has armed with a projecting bone, adapted to the purpose. But this 

 cannot be the fact, as the breast bone of this bird does not differ from 

 that of others of the same ti'ibe, which would not admit of so violent a 

 concussion. 



When the water fowl perceive the approach of their enemy, a univer- 

 sal alarm pervades their ranks ; even man himself, with his engine of 

 destruction, is not more terrible. But the effect is different. When the 

 latter is beheld, the whole atmosphere is enlivened with the whistling of 

 wings ; when the former is recognised, not a duck is to be seen in the 

 air : they all speed to the water, and there remain until the hawk has 

 passed them, diving the moment he comes near them. It is worthy of 

 remark, that he will seldom, if ever, strike over the water, unless it be 

 frozen ; well knowing that it will be difficult to secure his quarry. This 

 is something more than instinct. 



