24 
GREAT-FOOTED HAWK. 
upon the ducks when on the wing, and striking them down with the pro- 
jecting bone of its breast. Even the wild geese were said to be in 
danger from its attacks, it having been known to sacrifice them to its 
rapacity. 
To behold this hero, the terror of the wild fowl, and the wonder of 
the sportsmen, was the chief object of our wishes. Day after day did 
we traverse the salt marshes, and explore the jJonds and estuaries, where 
the web-footed tribes assemble in immense multitudes, in the hope of ob- 
taining the imperial depredator ; even all the shooters of the district were 
summoned to our aid, Avith the assurance of a great reward if they pro- 
cured him, but without success. At length, in the month of December, 
1812, to the unspeakable joy of Wilson, he received from Egg Harbor 
a fine specimen of the far-famed Duck Hawk ; which was discovered, 
contrary to his expectations, to be of a species which he had never 
before beheld. 
If we were to repeat all the anecdotes M'hich have been related to us 
of the achievements of the Duck Hawk, they would swell our pages at 
the expense, probably, of our reputation. Naturalists should be always 
on their guard when they find themselves compelled to resort to the 
observations of others ; and record nothing as fact, which has not been 
submitted to the temperate deliberations of reason. The neglect of this 
procedure has been a principal cause, why errors and absurdities have 
so frequently deformed the pages of works of science, which, like a plain 
mirror, ought to reflect only the true images of nature. 
From the best sources of information, we learn that this species is 
adventurous and powerful.; that it darts upon its prey with astonishing 
velocity ; and that it strikes with its formidable feet, permitting the duck 
to fall previously to securing it. The circumstance of the hawk's never 
carrying the duck off on striking it, has given rise to the belief of that 
service being performed by means of the breast, which vulgar opinion 
has armed with a projecting bone, adapted to the purpose. But this 
cannot be the fact, as the breast bone of this bird does not differ from 
that of others of the same tribe, which would not admit of so violent a 
concussion. 
When the water fowl perceive the approach of their enemy, a univer- 
sal alarm pervades their ranks ; even man himself, with his engine of 
destruction, is not more terrible. But the effect is different. When the 
latter is beheld, the whole atmosphere is enlivened with the whistling of 
wings ; when the former is recognised, not a duck is to be seen in the 
air : they all speed to the water, and there remain until the hawk has 
passed them, diving the moment he comes near them. It is worthy of 
remark, that he will seldom, if ever, strike over the water, unless it be 
frozen ; well knowing that it will be difiicult to secure his quarry. This 
is something more than instinct. 
