124 



VERTEBRATES I BIRDS. 



Fig. 89. 



Duck Hawk, or Peregrine Falcon, F. anatutn, Bonap. 



to fifteen inches ; the upper parts bluish-cinereous, with 

 transverse bands of brownish black ; under parts yellow- 

 ish white, with heart-shaped and circular spots of black 

 on the breast and abdomen, and transverse bands of 

 black upon the sides, under tail coverts, and tibiae ; quills 

 and tail brownish black. The frontal band is white, the 



cheeks with a 

 patch of black, 

 bill light blue, 

 and the legs 

 and toes yel- 

 low. Young- 

 er specimens 

 have the upper 

 parts brown- 

 ish black, the under parts darker than in the adult, and 

 with longitudinal stripes of brownish black ; the tarsi 

 and toes of a bluish lead-color, frontal band obscure, 

 and a large black patch on the cheek. This falcon pur- 

 sues its prey with almost inconceivable velocity through 

 all its turnings and windings, and when within a few 

 feet of the quarry protrudes its powerful legs and talons 

 to their full extent, almost closes its wings for a mo- 

 ment, and the next instant grasps the prize, and bears 

 it away to a secluded place, or, if too heavy, forces it 

 obliquely to the ground, and devours it on the spot. The 

 Duck Hawk not only pursues ducks and other birds 

 upon the wing, but, sweeping over the water, it catches 

 up ducks and teal and other swimming-birds. One has 

 been known to come, at the report of a gun, and bear 

 away a teal not thirty paces from the hunter who had 

 shot it. 



The Common Peregrine Falcon, F. peregrinus, Gm., of 

 Europe, closely resembles the preceding. It was formerly 

 much used in falconry. 



