84 TH E GREAT-FOOTED HAWK. 



extremity a brownish-black spot, generally arrow-shaped. The anterior 

 feathers of the back have, moreover, a black streak on the shaft, which on 

 those farther back becomes larger and lanceolate, and on the rump is accom- 

 panied by a third spot; the larger coverts and secondary quills have also 

 three or more spots, and the primary quills have seven spots or partial bars 

 toward their extremity, besides a large subterminal black space, their tips 

 however being white. On the inner margin of the two middle tail-feathers 

 are eight, and on the outer four dusky spots, and their shafts are also dusky, 

 as are those of all the quills on their upper surface. There are also a few 

 slight lanceolate dark spots on the sides of the body, and on the tibial 

 feathers. 



Length to end of tail 23^ inches, to end of wings 21^, to end of claws ISf, 

 to carpal joint 5^; extent of wings 51^. 



THE GREAT-FOOTED HAWK. 



-f Falco peregrixus, Gmel. 



PLATE XX.— Male and Female. 



The French and Spaniards of Louisiana have designated all the species of 

 the genus Falco by the name of " Mangeurs de Poulets;" and the farmers 

 in other portions of the Union have bestowed upon them, according to their 

 size, the appellations of "Hen Hawk," "Chicken Hawk," "Pigeon Hawk," 

 &c. This mode of naming these rapacious birds is doubtless natural enough, 

 but it displays little knowledge of the characteristic manners of the species. 

 No bird can better illustrate the frequent inaccuracy of the names bestowed 

 by ignorant persons than the present, of which, on referring to the plate, you 

 will see a pair enjoying themselves over a brace of ducks of different species. 

 Very likely, were tame ducks as plentiful on the plantations in our States, 

 as wild ducks are on our rivers, lakes and estuaries, these hawks might have 

 been named by some of our settlers "Mangeurs de Canards." 



Look at these two pirates eating their dejcune' u la fourchette, as it were, 

 congratulating each other on the savouriness of the food in their grasp. One 

 might think them epicures, but they are in fact gluttons. The male has 

 obtained possession of a Green-winged Teal, while his mate has procured a 

 Gadwal Duck. Their appetites are equal to their reckless daring, and they 

 well deserve the name of "Pirates," which I have above bestowed upon 

 them. 



