HAWKS AND EAGLES. 365 



" They occasionally feed on dead fish that have floated to 

 the shores or sand bars. . . . 



" Whilst in quest of food, the Great-footed Hawk will fre- 

 quently alight on the highest dead branch of a tree in the im- 

 mediate neighborhood of such wet or marshy grounds as the 

 common Snipe resorts to by preference. His head is seen 

 moving in short starts, as if he were counting every little 

 space below; and while so engaged, the moment he spies 

 a Snipe, down he darts like an arrow, making a rustling noise 

 with his wings that may be heard several hundred yards off, 

 seizes the Snipe, and flies away to some near wood to devour 

 it. 



" It is a cleanly bird, in respect to feeding. No sooner is 

 the prey dead than the Falcon turns its beUy upward, and 

 begins to pluck it with his bill, which he does very expertly, 

 holding it meantime quite fast in his talons ; and as soon as 

 a portion is cleared of feathers, tears the flesh in large pieces, 

 and swallows it with great avidity. If it is a large bird, he 

 leaves the refuse parts, but, if small, swallows the whole in 

 pieces. Should he be approached by an enemy, he rises with 

 it and flies off to the interior of the woods, or if he happens 

 to be in a meadow, to some considerable distance, he being 

 more wary at such times than when he has alighted on a 

 tree." 



Audubon elsewhere adds : "I never saw one of them attack 

 a quadruped, although I have frequently seen them perched 

 within sight of squirrels, which I thought they might easily 

 have secured, had they been so inclined." He also says : 

 "Many persons believe that this Hawk, and some others, 

 never drink any other fluid than the blood of their victims ; 

 but this is an error. I have seen them alight on sand bars, 

 walk to the edge of them, immerse their bills nearly up to 

 the eyes in the water, and drink in a continued manner, as 

 Pigeons are known to do." 



The Duck Hawks are so destructive, and so much opposed 

 to the interests of sportsmen, that, in spite of their admirable 

 spirit and strength, it is not to be regretted that they are rare 

 in Massachusetts. 



