38 RAPTORES. FALCO. FALCON. 



ment of the author above mentioned. " In the middle of 

 June 1821, a pair of these birds attacked me, as I was 

 climbing in the vicinity of their nest, which was built on a 

 lofty precipice on the borders of Point Lake, in latitude 

 65 y. They flew in circles, uttering loud and harsh screams, 

 and alternately stooping with such velocity, that their mo- 

 tion through the air produced a loud rushing noise. They 

 struck their claws within an inch or two of my head. I en- 

 deavoured, by keeping the barrel of my gun close to my 

 cheek, and suddenly elevating its muzzle when they were in 

 the act of striking, to ascertain whether they had the power 

 of instantaneously changing the direction of their rapid 

 course ; and found that they invariably rose above the ob- 

 stacle with the quickness of thought, shewing equal acuteness 

 Food. of vision, and power of motion, It preys upon the larger 

 species of game and wild-fowl, also on hares and quadrupeds, 

 upon which it precipitates itself with amazing rapidity and 

 force. 



Its usual mode of hawking is, if possible, to out-soar its 

 prey, and thence to dart perpendicularly upon it. 



PLATE 14. Represents a male of this species, of middle age, 

 and in the natural size ; drawn from a specimen in the 

 valuable collection of JOSEPH SABINE, Esq. 



General Bill very strong and thick; with a well-marked tooth. 



descrip- Colour bluish-grey. Cere and orbits lemon-yellow. 



Irides reddish-brown. Head and neck white, with a few 

 blackish-brown spots or streaks. Breast and belly white, 

 slightly spotted in the same manner. Upper parts 

 blackish-brown, the feathers spotted and margined with 

 greyish- white, the bars of the feathers being also white. 

 Tail banded, blackish-brown and white. Legs and toes 

 yellow. Claws black. For a more particular descrip- 

 tion of the plumage, &c. at different periods of age, I 

 refer my readers to the " Fauna Boreali Americana." 



