66 BROAD-WINGED HAWK. 



duced a full-sized figure of this lizard, which is known in n^any parts 

 of the country by the name of the Swift. 



Species X. FALCO PENNSYLVANICUS* 



BROAD- WINGED HAWK. 



[Plato LIV. Fig. 1.]- 



This new species, as well as the rest of the figures in the same plate, 

 is represented of the exact size of life. The Hawk was shot on the 

 sixth of May, in Bartram's woods, near the Schuylkill, and was after- 

 wards presented to Mr. Peale. It was perched upon the dead limb of 

 a high tree, feeding on something, which was afterwards found to be 

 the meadow mouse, figured in Plate L. On my approach, it uttered 

 a whining kind of whistle, and flew ofi" to another tree, where I 

 followed and shot it. Its great breadth of wing, or width of the 

 secondaries, and also of its head and body, when compared with its 

 length, struck me as peculiarities. It seemed a remarkably strong- 

 built bird, handsomely marked, and was altogether unknown to me. 

 Mr. Bartram, who examined it very attentively, declared he had never 

 before seen such a Hawk. On the afternoon of the next day I observed 

 another, probably its mate or companion, and certainly one of the same 

 species, sailing about over the same woods. Its motions were in wide 

 circles, with unmoving wings, the exterior outline of which seemed a 

 complete semicircle. I was extremely anxious to procure this also if 

 possible ; but it was attacked and driven away by a King-bird before 

 I could eflFect my purpose, and I have never since been fortunate enough 

 to meet with another. On dissecting the one which I had shot, it 

 proved to be a male. 



In size this Hawk agrees, nearly, with the Buzzardet [Falco alhidus) 

 of Turton, described also by Pennant ; (Arct. Zool. N. 109.) but 

 cither the descriptions of these authors are very inaccurate, the change 

 of color which that bird undergoes Ycry great, or the present is altoge- 

 ther a diflFerent species. Until, however, some other specimens of this 

 Hawk come under my observation, I can only add to- the figure here 



* The name Pennsylvanicus, was given by Wilson to this bird, through inadvertence, 

 lie having already given that name to the Slate-colored Havrk, which is a distinct 

 8po(;io8 from the present, as Wilson was well aware. Mr. Ord, in the reprint of 

 this work, called it F. latisimus. But should the Slate-colored Hawk (F. Pennsylva- 

 nicus) and the Sharp-shinned Hawk {F. velox), prove to be the same species, then the 

 «ame Pennsyninicus must be retained for this species, that of velox being adopted 

 fcpi^he former. 



