214 THE Witson BULLETIN—NOs. 76-77. 
spied a nest on a tree of moderate height, and, as my eye 
reached it, we both perceived that the parent bird ‘was ‘sitting 
on it. Some little consultation took place, as neither of us 
could determine whether it was a Crow’s or a Hawk’s nest, 
and it was resolved that my young friend should climb the 
tree, and bring down one of the eggs. On reaching the nest, 
he said the bird, which still remained quiet, was a Hawk and 
unable to fly. I desired him to cover it with his handkerchief, 
try to secure it, and bring it down together with the eggs. All 
this was accomplished without the least difficulty. I looked at 
it with indescribable pleasure, as I saw it was new to me, and 
then felt vexed that it was not of a more spirited nature, as it 
had not defended itself or its eggs. It lay quietly in the hand- 
kerchief, and I ‘carried it home to my father-in-law’s, showed 
it to the family, and went to my room, where I instantly began 
drawing it. The drawing which I then made is at this moment 
before me, and is dated ‘Fatland Ford, Pennsylvania, May 27, 
1812.’ I put the bird on a stick made fast to my table. It mere- 
ly moved its feet to grasp the stick, and stood erect, but raised 
its feathers, and drew in its neck on its shoulders. I passed 
my hand over it to smooth its feathers by gentle pressure. It 
moved not. The plumage remained as I wished it. Its eye, 
directed toward mine, appeared truly sorrowful. I measured 
the length of its bill with the compass, began my outlines, con- 
tinued measuring part after part as I went on, and finished the 
drawing without the bird ever moving once. My wife sat at 
my side, reading to me at intervals, but our conversation had 
frequent reference to the singularity of the incident. The 
drawing being finished, | raised the window, laid hold of the 
poor bird, and launched it into the air, where it sailed off until 
out of my sight, without uttering a single cry, or deviating 
from its course.” 
Incredible as Audobon’s account may seem to many, due 
allowance being made for the embroidery of retrospection, it 
is no doubt true in the main. There are times when individ- 
uals of the most timid or the most wary species may be ap- 
proached and handled, especially during the most critical period 
