94 BROAD-WINGED HAWK. 



both of a dirty orange yellow; claws semicircular, strong and 

 very sharp, hind one considerably the largest. 



While examining the plumage of this bird, a short time after 

 it was shot, one of those winged ticks, with which many of our 

 birds are infested, appeared on the surface of the feathers, 

 moving about, as they usually do, backwards or sidewise, like 

 a crab, among the plumage, with great facility. The Fish-Hawk, 

 in particular, is greatly pestered with these vermin, which oc- 

 casionally leave him as suits their convenience. A gentleman, 

 who made the experiment, assured me, that on plunging a live 

 Fish-Hawk under water, several of these winged ticks remain- 

 ed hovering over the spot, and the instant the Hawk rose above 

 the surface, darted again among his plumage. The experiment 

 was several times made, with the like result. As soon, how- 

 ever, as these parasites perceive the dead body of their patron 

 beginning to become cold, they abandon it; and if the person 

 who holds it have his head uncovered, dive instantly among 

 his hair, as I have myself frequently experienced; and though 

 driven thence, repeatedly return, till they are caught and de- 

 stroyed. There are various kinds of these ticks: the one found 

 on the present Hawk is figured beside him. The head and tho- 

 rax were light brown; the legs, six in number, of a bright 

 green, their joints moving almost horizontally, and thus ena- 

 bling the creature to pass with the greatest ease between the 

 laminae of feathers; the wings were single, of a dark amber co- 

 lour, and twice as long as the body, which widened towards 

 the extremity, where it was slightly indented; feet two clawed. 

 This insect lived for several days between the crystal and 

 dial-plate of a watch, carried in the pocket; but being placed 

 for a few minutes in the sun, fell into convulsions and died. 



