GREAT-FOOTED HAWK. 153 
species is uncommonly bold and powerful ; that it darts on its 
prey with astonishing velocity ; and that it strikes with its for- 
midable 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 waterfowl 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 recognised, 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 re- 
venge on them, at every opportunity, by robbing them of 
their game, the hard-earned fruits of their labour. 
The duck-hawk, it is said, often follows the steps of 
the gunner, knowing 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 
