362 LAND-BIRDS. 



b. The eggs are said to measure about 2.40 X 1-70 of an 

 inch, and to be much less darkly marked than those of the 

 Duck Hawk. The nests are built on cliffs. 



c. Audubon describes as follows their habits in Labrador : * 

 " Their flight resembled that of the Peregrine Falcon, but was 

 more elevated, majestic, and rapid. They rarely sailed when 

 traveling to and fro, but used a constant beat of their wings. 

 When over the Puffins, and high in the air, they would hover 

 almost motionless, as if watching the proper moment to close 

 their pinions, and when that arrived, they would descend 

 almost perpendicularly on their unsuspecting victims. 



" Their cries also resembled those of the Peregrine Falcon, 

 being loud, shrill, and piercing. Now and then they would 

 alight on some of the high stakes placed on the shore as bea- 

 cons to the fishermen who visit the coast, and stand for a few 

 minutes, not erect like most other Hawks, but in the position 

 of a Lestris or Tern, after which they would resume their avo- 

 cations, and pounce upon a Puffin, which they generally did 

 while the poor bird was standing on the ground at the very 

 entrance of its burrow, apparently quite unaware of the ap- 

 proach of its powerful enemy. The Puffin appeared to form 

 no impediment to the flight of the Hawk, which merely shook 

 itself after rising in the air, as if to arrange its plumage, as 

 the Fish Hawk does when it has emerged from the water with 

 a fish in its talons." 



To this account I can add nothing, having never seen these 

 birds, who are of accidental occurrence so far to the southward 

 as Boston. I may here express my regrets at having had no 

 opportunities of extending my researches to Labrador, from 

 which a wealth of knowledge is undoubtedly to be obtained. 

 Indeed, " an author should devote himself to travel and to one 

 study," as has been said by a predecessor. 



B. PEEEGEINUS ANATUM. American Peregrine Falcon. 

 Duclc HawTi. Great-footed Hawh. Very rare in Massachu- 



* This quotation really relates to Labrador and occurs most frequently 

 the Black Gyrfaleon (Falco rusticolus in New England. (See Appendix.) — 

 obsoletus), the form which breeds in W. B. 



