LIST AND DESCRIPTION 8T 
from the latter by the white head, neck and tail. The balance of 
the body is dark brown, and the legs bare. During the first 
year the young are nearly black, including the head; the second 
year they are gray, and not until the third year do they take on 
the plumage of the adults. Their nesting and feeding habits are 
similar to those of the Golden Eagle. 
The Bald Eagle is used as our national emblem, and is 
represented on our different coins. | 
During the Civil War the 8th Wisconsin Regiment carried 
a Bald Eagle as a mascot. It was known as “Old Abe,” and 
became a noted bird, being exhibited at Philadelphia during the 
Centennial in 1876. Later its body was preserved in the State 
capitol at Madison. 
354. Gray GyRFALCON (Falco rusticolus rusticolus.) 
A rare winter visitor in South Dakota; breeds in the 
Arctic regions. Twenty to twenty-four inches in length, female 
the larger. Above, brownish gray. Under parts streaked with 
gray and white. Legs feathered to the toes. The pair in the 
University Museum were taken in Miner County. 
355. PratRiE FAtcon (Falco mexicanus.) 
A rather common bird in our State west of the Missouri 
River, nesting frequently on shelving cliffs in the badlands. 
It is about eighteen to twenty inches in length, the female 
being the larger. The sexes are similar in plumage, being 
brownish gray on the back and lighter on head and neck. The 
under parts are white with dark brown streaks on throat and 
breast. The young are marked with rufous above and brown 
buff below. Unlike true Hawks, the Falcons have a toothed 
beak. 
356a. Duck Hawk (Falco peregrinus anatum.) 
This Hawk is frequently seen in the State, though it is 
not common. It is about the size of No. 355 but has longer toes. 
Its peculiar characteristic is black spots on the sides of the 
throat. Back, wings and tail are bluish slate with irregular dark 
gray bars. Below, buff with black markings running to bars 
on the flanks and extreme lower parts. 
On account of its great strength much of its food consists 
of game birds and if abundant it would be considered destructive. 
