GREAT-FOOTED HAWK. 679 
they procured him, but without success. At length n the month of 
December, 1812, to the unspeakable joy of Mr. Wison, he received 
from Egg Harbor a fine specimen of the far-famed Duck Hawk ; which 
was discovered, contrary to his expectations, to be of a species which 
he had never before beheld. i 
If we were to repeat all the anecdotes which have been related to 
us of the achievements of the Duck Hawk, they would swell our pages 
at the expense, probably, of our reputation. Naturalists should be 
always on their guard when they find themselves compelled to resort 
to the observations of others, and record nothing as fact which has not 
been submitted to the temperate deliberations of reason. The reverse 
of this procedure has been a principal cause why errors and absurdi- 
ties have so frequently deformed the pages of works of science, which, 
like a plain mirror, ought to reflect only the genuine images of nature. 
From the best sources of information, we learn that this species is 
uncommonly bold and powerful ; that it darts on its prey with astonish- 
ing velocity; and that it strikes with its formidable feet, permitting 
the Duck to fall previously to securing it. The circumstance of the 
Hawk’s never carrying the Duck off on striking it, has given rise to 
the belief of that service being performed by means of the breast, 
which vulgar opinion has armed with a projecting bone, adapted to 
the purpose. But this cannot be the fact, as the breast bone of this 
bird does not differ from that of others of the same tribe, which would 
not admit of so violent a concussion. 
When the water-fowl perceive the approach of their enemy, a 
universal alarm pervades their ranks; even man himself, with his 
engine of destruction, is not more terrible. But the effect is different. 
When the latter is beheld, the whole atmosphere is enlivened with the 
whistling of wings; when the former is recognized, not a Duck is to be 
seen in the air: they all speed to the water, and there remain until the 
Hawk has passed them, diving the moment he comes near them. It 
is worthy of remark, that he will seldom, if ever, strike over the water, 
unless it be frozen; well knowing that it will be difficult to secure 
his quarry. This is something more than instinct. 
When the sportsmen perceive the Hawk knock down a Duck, they 
frequently disappoint him of it, by being first to secure it. And as one 
evil turn, according to the maxim of the multitude, deserves another, 
our hero takes ample revenge on them, at every opportunity, by rob- 
bing them of their game, the hard-earned fruits of their labor. 
The Duck Hawk, it is said, often follows the steps of the gunner, 
imowing that the Ducks will be aroused on the wing, which will afford 
it an almost certain chance of success. 
We have been informed, that those Ducks which are struck down, have 
their backs lacerated from the rump to the neck. If this be the fact, 
it is a proof that the Hawk employs only its talons, which are long 
and stout, in the operation. One respectable inhabitant of Cape May 
told us that he has seen the Hawk strike from below. 
This species has been long known in Europe; and in the age of 
falconry, was greatly valued for those qualifications which rendered it 
estimable to the lovers and followers of that princely amusement. But 
we have strong objections to its specific appellation. The epithet 
peregrine is certainly not applicable to our Hawk, which is not migra- 
tory, as far as our most diligent inquiries can ascertain; and, as addi- 
’ 
