of North Carolina. 177 



quick-sighted Birds ; 1 have fre(iuently seen them kill Fari- 

 ridges, Farakeeiocs, and the like. These Hawks are most com- 

 monly to be seen in Evenings, iiying to the Westward, having, 

 as it is supposed, their abode and j^ests in or near the Moun- 

 tains, where we may reasonably expect to find them, and sev- 

 eral other Species that we are intire Strangers to at present. 



The Merlin, is a small Bird in Europe, but much smaller 

 in America; yet it, as well as the other Species of Hawks, is a 

 bold, ravenous, and quick-sighted Bird, and nimbly kills sev- 

 eral sorts of small Fowl, and sometimes Partridges. It is a 

 most beautiful Bird, and would be a gTcat Rarity, if it could 

 be caught alive, or their Young ones found, but they never 

 breed near the Settlements, but as is supposed in the Moun- 

 tains. 



The Sparrow-Hawl' is not as big as a Field fear, it some- 

 times flies at, and kills small Birds ; but it's chiefest Food 

 is Reptiles, such as Grass-hoppers, Butter-flies, Beetles, and 

 such like small Insects. This Hawk is exactly the same 

 Colour of the Sparrow-Hawk in Ireland, only it has a Black- 

 hood by it's Eyes. 



The Hobhies, are a Species of the Hawks, something less 

 than the European Sparrow-Hawks, and much of the same 

 size and colour with them; yet there are but few of these 

 kinds of Hawks to be met with in these Parts of America. 



The Ringtailed-Hawl; , so called, from it's round Tail, is 

 another small Species of Hawks, with very short Wings. 

 They are frequently to be met with in several parts of the 

 Woods: they prey chiefly on Mice, Rats, and such like Ver- 

 mine, that are to be met with in the Marshes near Rivers and 

 Creek's side. 



The Owls, whereof there are three sorts, viz. the White, the 

 Brown, the Barn, and the small Scree ch-Owl. 



12 Z The 



