1906.
May 4
(No 2)
  As William Stone and I were strolling in the field across
the road from the farm house this afternoon a male Duck Hawk
passed us within fifty yards. It was flying swiftly but
heavily, about twenty feet above the ground, carrying in its
talons a bird that looked as large as a Pigeon & which
was probably a Carolina Dove. As it approached the road
it tried to rise above the bordering trees but failing in
this, apparently because of the weight of its burden, it
passed directly through them. A moment later, however,
it appeared above them in the direction of the red
pines, keeping to the south-east until lost to
sight in the distance beyond the Ritchie place. 
Stone was perfectly sure that the bird was a Duck Hawk
and I have no doubt on this point. We both saw
the blackish crown, the bluish back, and the characteristic
tail markings with perfect distinctness. The sharp,
powerful wings were vibrated rapidly and incessantly
as long as the bird was in sight. It came from
the westward where the country is densely wooded for
miles. I have never seen a Duck Hawk in such 
a place before.
  Besides the Duck Hawk I saw passing near the
house, this afternoon, a pair of Cooper's Hawks,
a Sharp-shinned Hawk and a Red-shouldered Hawk.
One of the Cooper's Hawks was carrying in its
talons what looked like a young chicken.