350 Richaeds, Early History of Duck Hawk. [j^ 



and its beady black eyes watched every move made by the visitor. 

 Early in June, dark feathers began to take the place of the down, 

 and for a time the bird was decidedly ragged in appearance. His 

 naturally fierce disposition became noticeable, and he showed 

 increasing resentment when visitors appeared. 



About this time State Ornithologist E. H. Forbush came to take 

 pictures of the now famous baby Duck Hawk. Earlier in its 

 career, Mr. H. K. Job had succeeded in obtaining some very fine 

 films of it for moving pictures. At that time it had been quite 

 docile, and would stay where it was placed very satisfactorily. 

 Now, however, it was more active, so Mr. Forbush, aided by Mr. 

 Fisher, attached an inconspicuous little harness to its leg, and 

 hobbled thus, it became an unwilling but quiet subject for the 

 photographer. So ferocious had the bird become, it was necessary 

 to handle it — literally — with gloves on. 



Wishing to get a picture of the rapidly maturing bird as late as 

 possible before it left the nest, Mr. Fisher closely watched its 

 development. When he judged that the bird was ready for flight, 

 he made a last exposure with the wonderfully fine result shown here. 

 Within a half minute after this was taken the bird flew from the 

 ledge. Just how long it remained in the vicinity is not known; 

 but a few days later it alighted on a branch of a tree over the ledge 

 upon which Mr. Fisher stood, and fearlessly watched while an 

 experimental attempt to frighten it away, was made. 



If anyone ever takes a Duck Hawk which carries upon one leg 

 the leg-band of a hen, he may be reasonably sure it is the bird about 

 which this article is written. 



A careful record was kept of the remains of such birds as were 

 used for food by these Duck Hawks, and a list is given below. 

 Blue Jays (many) Mourning Doves 



Kingbirds Phcebes 



Nuthatches Different Warblers 



Chickens Veeries 



Grosbeaks Woodpeckers 



Scarlet Tanagers Homing Pigeon 



Flickers 

 May 30, on the leg-band of a Homing Pigeon, the remains of 

 which were found on the ledge, was this inscription : A-US J 5733 

 (the A and U joined together). 



