250 Catalogue of the Birds of Connecticut. 



where species have been found in the adjacent states of Massa- 

 chusetts and New York, I have included them as belonging to 

 this state, although I have not hitherto had the satisfaction to 

 obtain them here. But I have studiously avoided admitting 

 those, concerning which the evidence was unsatisfactory. 



Those species of land birds marked as found in New Haven 

 only, were obtained by J. D. Whelpley, M. D. of that city : to 

 him and to several other gentlemen, who have kindly aided me 

 by specimens and information, I improve this opportunity to ten- 

 der my thanks. 



An asterisk standing before the number of a species, refers to a 

 similar character and number in the notes and observations. 



Class II. 



Sub-Class I. Insessores. 



Order I. Accipitres. 



Family Vulturidce. 



*1. Cathartes Aura, Illiger, Turkey Buzzard, Stratford. 



Family Falconidce. 

 *2. Falco peregrinus, Gmelin, Great-footed Duck Hawk, Strat- 

 ford. 



*3. F. sparverius, Linnaeus, Sparrow Hawk, Stratford and New 

 Haven. 



*1. The turkey buzzard is not very uncommon here. I have known it in Con- 

 necticut from a child, having at that period counted twenty in a flock in Northford 

 in the month of August, though not knowing the name until I subsequently found 

 them in similar flocks in the southern and middle states. Dr. Dekay also reports 

 this species as found in New York. At the south, where they abound, it is seldom 

 one attacks domestic poultry; but many years since I saw in Northford, in this 

 state, a splendid male turkey buzzard pounce down upon a chicken about three 

 quarters grown, and within about three rods of where I was standing with two 

 other persons. As he turned his eye upon us, still standing upon the chicken, he 

 appeared so much alarmed as to be unable to rise ; we all ran upon him, and 

 when within a few feet of him he rose, just clearing our heads, and dropping the 

 chicken at our feet he hurried off. He however sailed about in the air for several 

 hours, much to the terror of the occupants of poultry yards. 



*2. This celebrated and powerful bird was wounded by a gun shot in Stratford, 

 and after he was taken soon recovered, and was kept on poultry until he became 

 too expensive to the owner, and he released him. Although I was disappointed 

 in not obtaining him for my cabinet, being hy the owner forgotten at the moment 

 of his release, yet I had had previous opportunity to examine him, and was cer- 

 tain of its being the true -peregrinus or duck hawk. 



*3. I had a specimen of this bird in my cabinet that I shot in the south of Geor- 

 gia, and it is believed to be often seen here. Dr. Whelpley mentions having seen 

 it at New Haven. 



