348 LAND-BIRDS AND GAME-BIRDS 



of a Lestris or Tern, after which they would resume their avo- 

 cations, and pounce upon a Puffin, which they generally did 

 while the poor bird was standing on the ground at the very 

 entrance of its burrow, apparently quite unaware of the ap- 

 proach of its powerful enemy. The Puffin appeared to form 

 no impediment to the flight of the Hawk, which merely shook 

 itself after rising in the air, as if to arrange its plumage, as 

 the Fish Hawk does when it has emerged from the water with 

 a fish in its talons." 



To this account I can add nothing, having never seen these 

 birds, who are of accidental occurrence so far to the southward 

 as Boston. I may here express my regrets at having had no 

 opportunities of extending my researches to Labrador, from 

 which a wealth of knowledge is undoubtedly to be obtained. 

 Indeed, "an author should devote himself to travel and to one 

 study," as has been said by a predecessor. 



(B) COMMUNIS (var. ANATUM). (American) Peregrine Fal- 

 con. Duck Hawk. Great-footed Hawk. 



(Very rare in Massachusetts, though known to have bred on 

 Mount Tom, near Springfield.) 



(a). About eighteen inches long. Above, dark ash (brown- 

 ish or bluish, according to age), " waved" with a paler shade. 

 Tail banded. Beneath, white or buffy ; breast spotted, and 

 sides barred, with black. Forehead, whitish ; cheeks, black. 



(b). The nest, if any, is built on a cliff, in some spot not 

 easily accessible. A set of four eggs, found in this State, was 

 laid in the early part of April. The Duck Hawk's eggs aver- 

 age about 2-20 X 1*70 of an inch, and are creamy, buff, red- 

 dish, or even brick-red, blotched and clouded with (several 

 shades of) dark brown, often of a reddish tinge. A specimen 

 in my collection presents a form or appearance, frequently 

 observable in other eggs, that of having had the upper and 

 darker markings removed. 



(c). The spirited Duck Hawks (the American representa- 

 tives of the famous Peregrine Game-falcons) belong to the 

 highest nobility of their tribe, rarely descending from the dig-- 



