160 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE NATURAL HISTORY OF ALASKA. 



Ptarmigan recoiled from the blow, the hawk seized it with its claws and bore it to the ground, 

 where it soon dispatched it. 



In the fresh specimen the color of the iris is yellow ; bill white with dark tip; tarsi and toes 

 bluish-white ; claws black ; cere greenish. 



The natives use the wing and tail feathers of this bird as vanes for the shafts of their spears 

 and arrows. 



The Eskimo name of this Gyrfalcon is Ch6 M'v yule, and refers to the longitudinal stripings on 

 the breast. 



356. Falco peregrinus anatum (Bonap.). Ditch Hawk. 



I saw but two or three individuals of this species at Saint Michael's; the character of the 

 country not appearing favorable for its occurrence. They were observed at such irregular intervals 

 that I concluded the Duck Hawk was merely a casual visitor to that part of the coast. In the 

 interior, and especially along the high bluffs overhanging the Yukon River, it is reported to be 

 not rare. 



In the vicinity of Bristol Bay I saw two pairs launch from the cliffs near Cape Newenham, 

 and also one bird fly past the vessel as she was anchored in the Nushagak River, opposite the 

 trading post on that stream. This date was June 25, 1878. 



There can be no question that the Duck Hawk breeds in the more suitable localities of the 

 entire range over which it wanders. I did not obtain eggs or nests of this species. Its general 

 habits are quite well known. 



356a. Falco peregrinus pealei Ridgw. PeaWs Falcon. 



This Falcon was frequently observed on Amchitka Island in the month of June, 1881; and on 

 several occasions on Attu Island, duriug 1880 and 1881. It breeds on nearly all of the islands of 

 the chain, and is a winter resident, on the Nearer Group at least. On Agattu it is reported to be 

 very common; and, on Amchitka I knew of three nests on the ledges of the high bluffs, hanging 

 over the sea. Any approach to the cliffs was heralded by the bird darting from the nest and 

 circling high in the air, screaming fiercely all the while. Any attempt to shoot the birds, while 

 flying over the water, would have resulted in the loss of the specimen, for they always flew in front 

 of the cliffs out of gun-range. 



At Attu Island I frequently saw one of these birds join the Ravens when the latter were 

 performing their aerial gymnastics on the approach of a gale. 



The Hawk endeavored to imitate the Ravens, which paid but little attention to the antics of 

 the intruder. 



At Attu this hawk is not common, though the natives assert that it is common enough at 

 Agattu and the Semichi Islands. The natives had told me that where this Hawk breeds there 

 will be fouud the nests of Eiders. I could not believe it until a short stay at Amchitka Island 

 forced me to recognize it as a fact, for, in each instance, the nests of Eiders were very abundant in 

 each of the localities where the nest of this hawk was known to be. It is quite probable that the 

 hawk selects the place with special reference to prospective young Eiders. 



The Eskimo use the skins of the smaller hawks in several of their dances, and in many of the 

 incantations held over those afflicted with disease. The skin is affixed to a large mask, worn over 

 the face. The skin of Accipiter velox is also used for the same purpose. 



357. Falco columbarius (Linn.). Pigeon EawJc. 



This species of Hawk was observed on several occasions in the vicinity of Saint Michael's, 

 though never at such times as led me to believe that it breeds there. Its visits were merely wan- 

 derings at times when not caring to devote itself to the duties of rearing its young. 



Unfortunately their appearance was at such times that I could not procure a specimen from 

 the mainland. 



An individual was procured at Unalashka in the year 1879, and was the farthest west that I 

 observed the Pigeon Hawk. 



In the early part of August, 1881, 1 saw two, evidently mates, at the northwest end of Kadiak 

 Island. 





