THE BLACK-WINGED FALCON. 



51 



been seen to fly through a swarm of bees, clutch them with his talons, and pass them to his 

 mouth while yet on wing, soaring and wheeling in the most graceful manner. 



WILSON'S PHALAROPE (Steganopus wilsoni) inhabits the United States and the British 

 Provinces generally. It is rare, or seldom seen in New England. It breeds in the Western 

 States, where, in the Mississippi Valley and westward, it abounds. It is also found in Mexico 

 and South America. The sexes are alike in color. Of the three Phalaropes, this, in its full 

 plumage, is the handsomest and the largest. It may be called, also, one of the handsomest of 

 the whole group of waders. 



Wilson says: "In the grand and wonderful chain of animated nature, the Phalaropes 

 constitute one of the links between the waders and the web-footed birds, having the form of 

 the sandpiper, with the habits of some of the ducks. The scalloped membrane on the toes 

 enables them to swim readily. They do not appear to be fond of the neighborhood of the 

 ocean, and are generally found in the interior, about the lakes and ponds of fresh water, 

 where they delight to linger, 

 and swim near the margin in 

 search of seeds and insects. They 

 go in pairs, and we cannot learn 

 that they are anywhere numer- 

 ous. 



THE NORTHERN PHALAROPE 

 (LoMpes hypoboreas) inhabits 

 the northern hemisphere and 

 penetrates to high northern lati- 

 tudes to breed. It is generally 

 distributed, but is essentially 

 maritime. Though generally 

 distributed, it is no where as 

 abundant as Wilson's, though 

 it appears at times in large 

 flocks. It winters in the Gulf 

 States. Dr. Coues saw a nest 

 among the Cascade mountains. 

 Dall found it common along the 

 Yukon river. 



THE small but brilliant 

 BLACK-WINGED FALCON is a 

 native of Africa, but is found 

 in nearly all the temperate por- 

 tions of the Old World. It has 

 also been seen in New Zealand 

 and Java. 



It is a fierce and daring little 

 bird, striking so sharply with 

 beak and claws, that even when 



wounded it cannot be approached without considerable precaution. The food of the Black- 

 winged Falcon consists chiefly of grasshoppers and various insects, from which it is thought 

 to derive the powerful musky odor which is exhaled from its body, and marks every spot on 

 which it has recently sat. It is generally to be seen perched on the extreme top of some lofty 

 tree, and while looking out for prey or engaged in active pursuit, pours forth a succession of 

 ear-piercing cries, earning thereby from several ornithologists the specific title of " vociferous." 



BLACK-WINGED FALCON. Elanus melanopterus. 



