18 



ACCIPITRES. FALCONID^:. 



large as itself. It hovers about the savannas, fre- 

 quently flying very near the grass or bushes, but 

 it seems to have favourite resorts. In the guinea- 

 grass piece of Mount Edgecumbe, which stretches 

 along the sea-shore from Belmont to Crab-pond, 

 there are several hoary cotton-trees, (Ceiba erioden- 

 dron) of giant size, around which I have rarely 

 failed to see more than one of these little Hawks. 

 From one to another of these they sail on graceful 

 wing, usually alighting on a prominent branch, 

 near the summit. One which I shot from such a 

 station, manifested no alarm at being aimed at, but 

 peeped down as if its curiosity were excited. The 

 smaller pigeons form the principal prey of this 

 species ; but sometimes it appears to be unequal 

 to the conquest of its quarry. My lad observed 

 a Hawk, one day, chasing a Pea-dove, which at 

 length took refuge in a low bush, but was fol- 

 lowed by the Hawk; the shaking of the bush 

 showed that a struggle was going on, which seems 

 to have terminated in favour of the gentle Dove, for 

 presently both emerged, the Dove flew off, and the 

 Hawk alighted on a tree close by ; this same in- 

 dividual, being shot and wounded, fought bravely 

 with both beak and feet, drawing blood from the 

 hands of its slayer. 



The Anis are acquainted with his prowess, and 

 indicate their fear by loud cries of warning to their 

 fellows, huddling away to the nearest bush. The 

 Petchary and Loggerhead Tyrants are often pur- 

 sued by him, but often escape ; for it is remarkable, 

 that if his swoop is ineffectual, he does not repeat 



