108 SWALLOW-TAILED FALCON. 



but of the colour of a common Swallow, and no 

 otherwise differing, except in having a hooked 

 beak and strong claws, like those of a bird of prey. 



In its manners as well as in its aspect this bird 

 bears a resemblance to the Swallow tribe : it feeds 

 principally on insects, which it catches in its flight, 

 and is often observed to tear off the nests of wasps, 

 as it glides along the trees on which they are 

 fixed : it preys also on the smaller kind of snakes, 

 lizards, &c. 



The Count de Buffon has very properly observed, 

 that this bird should rather be considered as a 

 native of South than of North America, since it 

 migrates from the latter into the former on the 

 least approach of cold weather. 



The best figure of this most elegant species 

 hitherto given is that in Mr. Pennant's Arctic 

 Zoology, which yet is scarce sufficiently expressive 

 of its beautiful shape: that of Catesby is a very 

 inferior representation, 



