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THE STANLEY HAWK. 



Falco Stan lei I. 



PLATE XXXVI. Male AND Female. 



Bhfore entering upon the description of this interesting species, al- 

 low me to submit to your consideration a few observations respecting the 

 flight of the different species of Hawks, which I have had occasion to exa- 

 mine both in America and in Europe. 



All such species as are usually referred to the subgenus Astur, or are 

 most nearly allied to it, and which consequently have shorter wings, as 

 well as longer tails, than the true Falcons, sail less frequently and less 

 continuously in circles, and embrace a smaller space in their gyrations, 

 than the latter birds. Their general flight is low, sometimes only a few 

 feet above the ground, and their velocity surpasses that of the true Fal- 

 cons on such occasions. Their body is more compressed and elongated, 

 and appears to be propelled through the air chiefly by the action of their 

 long tail. None of these birds ever glide down on their prey from a great 

 height, with closed wings, and the rustling noise produced by Eagles or 

 other nobler tribes of the genus. The types of this group I would con- 

 sider to be the Goshawk {Falco palumbarius) and the Stanley Hawk. 

 For the type of the True Falcons, no species could answer better than the 

 Great-footed Hawk {Falco peregrimis). 



A distinct and intermediate kind of flight belongs to such Hawks as 

 have both a long tail and long wings. These species are able to dive 

 through the air, either when in pursuit of their prey, or for amusement 

 or exercise, although with less firmness of action than the True Falcons ; 

 and they fly over the earth with less velocity than the Asturs, their motions 

 then consisting of easy flappings, or loose protracted sailings. The Hen- 

 harrier {Falco cyaneus), the Forked-tailed Hawk {Falco Jurcatus), and 

 the White-tailed Hawk ( Falco dispar), are of this tribe. 



It may be remarked here, that most species of Shrikes bear a great re- 

 semblance in their flight to the Asturs. But, let us return to the Stan- 

 ley Hawk. 



On the 5th of December 1809, I made a drawing of the inale of this 

 species^ in its matured state of colouring, at Louisville, in Kentucky, 



