RAPTORES ACCIPITRES FALCONID^E. 8 7 



153. (4.) Astur atricapillus (Wils.) Bp. Goshawk. 



Very rare ; only occasionally observed during the winter months. 



[496J 



154. ( — .) Falco peregrinus Tunstall. Peregrine Falcon ; Duck Hawk. 

 Very rare and only casual. We are informed by Mr. George Shoe- 

 maker that a Duck Hawk was seen upon the river in winter some years 

 ago. On inquiring further into this case, Mr. William Palmer, who saw 

 the bird, gave us the following account: Ashe was skating on theriverjust 

 above Long Bridge, one morning in December, 1878, he observed a num- 

 ber of Ducks upon some open water, towards which a man was pushing a 

 skiff over the ice. At his shot, a Duck which had been wounded rose and 

 flew along a few feet over the ice. Mr. Palmer started in pursuit, but 

 had not gone far before he observed a Duck Hawk flying along only 

 about 20 yards overhead. Both man and hawk continued along in this 

 manner for some 300 yards, when the wounded Duck fell upon the ice 



Fig. 70. — Peregrine Falcon. 



and was secured, while the disappointed Hawk soared away. The Hawk 

 was so near it could easily have been shot had Mr. Palmer had a gun, 

 and the identification was perfectly satisfactory. Mr. Palmer adds, on 

 the strength of information received from Mr. Jouy, that the Duck Hawk 

 has been known to breed at Harper's Ferry, Va. . [503] 



155. (2. ) Falco columbarius Linn. Pigeon Hawk. 



Bather rare, and seldom observed, but probably resident. Sometimes 

 found in market, like others of the family. [505] 



Fig. 71.— Head of Sparrow Hawk. 



156. (3.) Falco sparverius Linn. Sparrow Hawk. 

 Besident. Abundant. It is known to have nested in the Smithsonian. 



[508] 



