BLA CK HA WK. 2 O 3 



The original colour of these birds in their young state may 

 probably be pale brown, as the present individual seemed to 

 be changing to a darker colour on the neck and sides of the 

 head. This change, from pale brown to black, is not greater 

 than some of the genus are actually known to undeigo. One 

 great advantage of examining living or newly killed specimens 

 is, that whatever may be the difference of colour between any 

 two, the eye, countenance, and form of the head instantly 

 betray the common family to which they belong ; for this 

 family likeness is never lost in the living bird, though in 

 stuffed skins and preserved specimens it is frequently entirely 

 obliterated. I have no hesitation, therefore, in giving it as 

 my opinion that the present and preceding birds are of the 

 same species, differing only in age, both being males. Of 

 the female I am unable at present to speak. 



Pennant, inhis account of the chocolate-colouredhawk, which 

 is, very probably, the same with the present and preceding 

 species, observes that it preys much on ducks, sitting on a rock, 

 and watching their rising, when it instantly strikes them. 



While traversing our sea-coast and salt marshes, between 

 Cape May and Egg Harbour, I was everywhere told of a 

 duck haivk, noted for striking down ducks on wing, though 

 flying with their usual rapidity. Many extravagances were 

 mingled with these accounts, particularly that it always 

 struck the ducks with its breast bone, which was universally 

 said to project several inches, and to be strong and sharp. 

 From the best verbal descriptions I could obtain of this hawk, 

 I have strong suspicions that it is no other than the black 

 Jiaivk, as its wings were said to be long and very pointed, 

 the colour very dark, the size nearly alike, and several other 

 traits given, that seemed particularly to belong to this species. 

 As I have been promised specimens of this celebrated hawk 

 next winter, a short time will enable me to determine the 

 matter more satisfactorily. Few gunners in that quarter are 

 unacquainted with the cluck haivk, as it often robs them of 

 their wounded birds before they are able to reach them. 



