THE DUCK HAWK 157 



Subgenus Rhynchodon Nitzeh. 



19. FALCO PEREGRINUS ANATUM Bonaparte. 356a. 

 Duck Hawk. Wandering Falcon. Great-footed Falcon. 



Field Characters. Of medium size, slate color above, light buff 

 below with black markings, especially on the sides. Flight accom- 

 plished usually with continuous rapid wing strokes. 



Description. Above, blackish on the head; back, dusky bluish 

 slate; indistinct bars on the white-tipped tail. Wings having flight- 

 feathers barred with buffy. Below, light buff with dark bars and 

 spots on sides. 



Immature birds are dusky above, with buff-margined feathers; 

 tail somewhat barred with gray. Sides of the head dark. Below, 

 having heavier markings more generally distributed than in the adult. 



Measurements. Length, 16 to 19 inches; wing, 12 to 14 inches; 

 tail, 6 to 9 inches. 



Range. Generally throughout North and South America ; on our 

 continent breeding locally in many states. 



This "Noble Falcon" is a geographical variety of the Peregrine 

 Falcon famous in heraldry. There is, perhaps, no swifter, more ag- 

 gressive or courageous bird of prey. While not large, it is muscu- 

 lar, with powerful talons and beak. The keenness of eye exhibited, 

 not only in distant vision, but in the rapidity of accommodation re- 

 quired as the bird dashes upon its quarry, gives an idea of the ex- 

 traordinary functioning of every part of its vigorous body. 



Though ranging over North America, the Duck Hawk is a bird 

 nowhere common, and usually is seen only at intervals. Writers 

 generally speak of its depredations in the dove-cote and poultry-yard, 

 as well as among the wildfowl of our coastal and interior waters. 



It has been reported to successfully attack mammals as large as 

 the Jack Rabbit, and one observer records the killing of a Snowy Owl 

 by one of these Falcons, after the Owl had raided the Falcon's nest 

 and carried off one of its young. 



Mr. George Burge, of Mount Vernon, together with Mr. Russell 

 Moore and the writer, for several years watched the nesting of the 

 Duck Hawks at the "Palisades" on Cedar river in the southeastern 

 part of Linn and the northeastern part of Johnson counties. The 

 limestone cliffs which border the Cedar at this place for some two or 

 three miles form an ideal nesting and hunting location for these 

 Falcons. 



