ROUGH-LEGGED FALCON. 



55 



our low swamps and meadows, watching for mice, frogs, 

 lame ducks, and other inglorious game. Twenty or thirty 

 individuals of this family have regularly taken up their winter 

 quarters, for several years past, and probably long anterior 

 to that date, in the meadows below this city, between the 

 rivers Delaware and Schuylkill, where they spend their time 

 watching along the dry banks like cats ; or sailing low and 

 slowly over the surface of the ditches. Though rendered shy 

 from the many attempts made to shoot them, they seldom fly 

 far, usually from one tree to another at no great distance, 

 making a loud squeeling as they arise, something resembling 

 the neighing of a youag colt, though in a more shrill and 

 savage tone. 



The bird represented in the plate was one of this fraternity, 



to maturity their young in London, than in any space of the same dimen- 

 sions : the breeding-places there are the belfries of the different churches, 

 where neither the bustle beneath, nor the jingle of the bells, seems to have 

 any effect upon them. 



"We have the following characteristic observations on this species in 

 the "Northern Zoology" : — 



" In the vicinity of Carlton House, where the plains are beautifully 

 ornamented by numerous small clumps of aspens, that give a rich pic- 

 turesque effect to the landscape, which I have never seen equalled in an 

 English park, this small falcon was frequently discovered, perched upon 

 the most lofty tree in the clump, sitting with his eye apparently closed, 

 but, nevertheless, sufficiently awake to what was going on, as it would 

 occasionally evince, by suddenly pouncing upon any small bird that 

 happened to come within its reach. It is the least shy of any of the 

 American hawks ; and, when on its perch, will suffer the fowler to ad- 

 vance to the foot of the tree, provided he has the precaution to make a 

 slow and devious approach. He is not, however, unnoticed ; for the 

 bird shows, by the motion of its head, that he is carefully watching his 

 manoeuvres, though, unless he walks directly towards it, it is not readily 

 alarmed. When at rest, the wings are closely applied to the sides, with 

 their tips lying over the tail, about one-third from its end ; and the tail 

 itself, being closely shut up, looks long and narrow. If its suspicion be 

 excited, it raises and depresses its head quickly two or three times, and 

 spreads its tail, but does not open its wings until the instant it takes its 

 flight. The individuals shot at Carlton House, had mice and small birds 

 in their stomachs. They were not observed by the expedition beyond 

 the 54th degree of latitude." — Ed. 



