DOWNS ■— ON LAND BIRDS OF NOVA SCOTIA. 43 



in all parts of Europe, Asia, Afi-ica, and America, even • to the 

 Equator. It is always known by the white rump, which occurs in 

 all changes of its plumage from youth to maturity. In habit it is 

 cruel, though cowardly, searching everywhere for victims, but 

 selecting them only from weak and helpless objects. It preys 

 upon moles, mice, young birds, and is very destructive to young 

 game : nor does it spare fish, snakes, or even worms. I once took 

 two green snakes from the crop of one of these birds. The 

 slender body and elegant shape distinguish this species from others 

 of the genus. 



Pigeon Hawk — (Falco columbarius.) — This species is common 

 in Nova Scotia, breedmg in all the wooded parts of the colony. 

 It is not troublesome to the farmer, only feeding upon the smaller 

 birds. On my recent visit to Boston, while on my passage about 

 half way across the Bay of Fundy, while I lay sick in my berth on 

 board the " Delta," I was suddenly hailed by Mr. Cunard, who 

 said a live bird had just come on board. Refi'eshed by the intelli- 

 gence, I jumped up on deck, and found a sailor with a beautiful 

 little pigeon-hawk in his hand, which had been taken in the rigging ; 

 General Doyle called for some meat, a portion of which he con- 

 sumed. Unfortunately, after my putting him into a box, a steward, 

 while feeding him, pulled one of the laths off, and just as we 

 made Cape Ann, our little friend flew up the gangway and hasted 

 ashore — thus getting his passage free, all found. 



Sharp-shinjsED Hawk — {AsUir fuscus). — Common. Breeds 

 all over the Province. Like the pigeon hawk, it does not molest 

 the poultry yards, being too weak and puerile to attack large prey. 



Sparrow Hawk — (Falco sparverius). — Savage and bold in 

 habit, this little bird, swift of flight, attacks even a canary at the 

 cottage window. It is happily not very common. I once raised a 

 nest of young ones, four in number, which afterwards died. Its 

 plumage is very rich — black, brown, and white, deeply marked and 

 distinct. 



Hawk Owl — (Strix funerea). — This bu'd is in some years very 

 abundant in winter time, but may not be seen again for four or five 

 years. It is common in jSTewfoundland, where it breeds in the 

 cariboo districts. I have often kept living specimens in confine- 

 ment, taken sometimes on board the Cunard steamers ofi" the coast. 



