32 LOUISIANA HAWK. 



and protracted beyond that of most other hawks. They are, however, 

 devoid of the power of swooping on their quarry, which they procure by 

 semicircular glidings of greater or less extent, according to the situa- 

 tion or nature of the place, over the land or the water, on the branches 

 or trunks of trees, or even through the air, while in the latter they are 

 wont to secure large coleopterous insects. These species are provided 

 with short, strong tarsi, are scarcely able to walk with ease, wander to 

 great distances, and possess very little courage. 



After these long-winged fork-tailed hawks, comes the Marsh Hawk, 

 Falco cyaneus, which, by its easy manner of flying, it being supported by 

 ample wings and tail, is in some degree allied to them, though it is 

 by no means a bird of rapid flight, but one which procures its food by 

 patient industry, and sometimes by surprising its prey. Its style of 

 chase is very inferior to that of those species which I consider as not 

 only the swiftest, but the most expert, active, and persevering marau- 

 ders. The Marsh Hawk is connected with these by its long and slen- 

 der tail, and also by its propensity to wander over vast tracts of country. 

 It may be said to swoop or to glide in procuring its prey, which con- 

 sists both of birds and small quadrupeds, as well as insects, some of the 

 latter of which it even seizes on wing. 



Taking somewhat into consideration the usual low flight of the lat- 

 ter species, I feel induced to place next it the very swiftest of our Hawks, 

 as I am convinced you would consider them, had you witnessed, like 

 me, their manners for many successive years. These are the Goshawk, 

 F. palumbarius. Cooper's Hawk, F. Cocper% the Pigeon Hawk, F. co- 

 lumbarius, and the Sharp-shinned Hawk, F.fuscus. Though their wings 

 are comparatively short, somewhat rounded, and rather concave, they 

 have longer bodies and larger tails than any other of our hawks. The 

 tail is used as a rudder, and appears most effectually to aid them in their 

 progress on wing. None of these birds ever pounce on their prey, but 

 secure it by actual pursuit on wing. Industrious in the highest degree, 

 they all hunt for game, instead of remaining perched on a rocky eminence, 

 or on the top branch of a tall tree, waiting the passing or appearance 

 of some object. They traverse the country in every direction, and dash 

 headlong in the wildest manner, until their game being up they fol- 

 low it with the swiftness of an arrow, overtake it, strike it to the groimd 

 with wonderful force, and at once fall to and devour it. Although the 

 flight of our Passenger Pigeon is rapid and protracted almost beyond 



