THE DUCK HAWK ON THE PALISADES 



THE Duck Hawk is the American representative of the Old World 

 Peregrine Falcon, from which it differs but slightly in color and 

 not at all in general habits. 



By falconers the Peregrine was esteemed only second to the Arctic 

 Gyrfalcons. The latter could be owned and flown only by members of 

 the royal family, while no one of lower rank than an earl was per- 

 mitted to use a Peregrine. 



Possibly the restrictions imposed on the owning of Gyrfalcons arose 

 from the difficulty with which the birds were obtained rather than from 

 their superiority as hunters. In this respect the Peregrine, or Duck 

 Hawk, is probably not excelled by any other bird of prey. Its speed 

 enables it to overhaul with ease the swiftest-flying ducks, while it has 

 sufficient strength to strike and kill them in the air and bear them away 

 without visible effort. 



The Duck Hawk is fearless in pursuit of its prey and will dash down 

 and capture a wounded bird within reach of the sportsman's arm; and 

 will repeat the attempt even if fired at and missed. 



Peregrines in slightly varying forms arc found throughout the greater 

 part of the world. The Duck Hawk, the American form, breeds locally 

 throughout most of the United States, and migrates as far south as 

 Chile. When migrating, it is sometimes not uncommon along our coasts, 

 since it travels with the flocks of wild fowl on which it preys, but when 

 nesting it is generally rare. 



In the vicinity of New York City Duck Hawks are known to nest 

 only on the Palisades of the Hudson, where they are unfortunately mo- 

 lested by egg-collectors, and among the hills and mountains to the 

 northward. It is believed that, in the spring of 1908, three pairs were 

 nesting on the Palisades. 



In this region Duck Hawks begin to lay in March. They build no 

 nest, but lay their eggs, as may be observed, on the bare rock. 



The material for the present group was collected by R. B. Potter 

 on Hook Mountain, near Nyack, N. Y., but it is here shown against 

 a background representing the Palisades, northward from the "Gorge" 

 at Englewood. 



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