FrfLCO VELOX. 

 SHARP-SHINNED HAWK. 



[Plate XL V. Fig. 1, Female.] 



THIS is a bold and daring species, hitherto unknown to na- 

 turalists. The only Hawk we have which approaches near it 

 in colour is the Pigeon Hawk, figured in plate 15. But there 

 are such striking differences in the present, not only in colour, 

 but in other respects, as to point out decisively its claims to 

 rank as a distinct species. Its long and slender legs and toes; 

 its red fiery eye, feathered to the eye-lids; its triangular grooved 

 nostril, and length of tail, are all different from the Pigeon 

 Hawk, whose legs are short, its eyes dark hazel, surrounded 

 with a broad bare yellow skin, and its nostrils small and circu- 

 lar, centred with a slender point, that rises in it like the pistil 

 of a flower. There is no Hawk mentioned by Pennant, either 

 as inhabiting Europe or America, agreeing with this. I may 

 therefore, with confidence, pronounce it a nondescript; and have 

 chosen a very singular peculiarity which it possesses, for its 

 specific appellation. 



This Hawk was shot on the banks of the Schuylkill, near 

 Mr. Bartram's. Its singularity of flight surprised me long be- 

 fore I succeeded in procuring it. It seemed to throw itself from 

 one quarter of the heavens to the other, with prodigious velo- 

 city, inclining to the earth; swept suddenly down into a thicket, 

 and instantly re-appeared with a small bird in its talons. This 

 feat I saw it twice perform, so that it was not merely an acci- 

 dental manoeuvre. The rapidity and seeming violence of these 

 zig-zag excursions were really remarkable, and appeared to me 

 to be for the purpose of seizing his prey by sudden surprise, and 

 main force of flight. I kept this Hawk alive for several days, 

 and was hopeful I might be able to cure him; but he died of his 



wound. 



VOL. i. o o 



