THE BLACK-WINGED FALCON. 
51 
been seen to iiy through a swarm of bees, clutch them with his talons, and pass them to his 
mouth while yet on wing, soaring and wheeling in the most graceful manner. 
Wilson’s Phalaeope ( Steganopus wilsoni ) inhabits the United States and the British 
Provinces generally. It is rare, or seldom seen in New England. It breeds in the W estern 
States, where, in the Mississippi Valley and westward, it abounds. It is also found in Mexico 
and South America. The sexes are alike in color. Of the three Phalaropes, this, in its full 
plumage, is the handsomest and the largest. It may be called, also, one of the handsomest of 
the whole group of waders. 
Wilson says: “In the grand and wonderful chain of animated nature, the Phalaropes 
constitute one of the links between the waders and the web -footed birds, having the form of 
the sandpiper, with the habits of some of the ducks. The scalloped membrane on the toes 
enables them to swim readily. They do not appear to be fond of the neighborhood of the 
ocean, and are generally found in the interior, about the lakes and ponds of fresh water, 
where they delight to linger, 
and swim near the margin in 
search of seeds and insects. They 
go in pairs, and we cannot learn 
^ that they are anywhere numer- 
ous. 
The Noetheen Phalaeope 
(Lobipes hypoboreas ) inhabits 
the northern hemisphere and 
penetrates to high northern lati- 
tudes to breed. It is generally 
distributed, bnt is essentially 
maritime. Though generally 
distributed, it is no where as 
abundant as Wilson’s, though 
it appears at times in large 
flocks. It winters in the Gulf- 
States. Dr. Coues saw a nest 
among the Cascade mountains. 
Dali found it common along the 
Yukon river. 
The small but brilliant 
Black-winged Falcon is a 
native of Africa, but is found 
in nearly all the temperate por- 
tions of the Old World. It has 
also been seen in New Zealand 
and Java. 
It is a fierce and daring little 
bird, striking so sharply with 
beak and claws, that even when 
wounded it cannot be approached without considerable precaution. The food of the Black- 
winged Falcon consists chiefly of grasshoppers and various insects, from which it is thought 
to derive the powerful musky odor which is exhaled from its body, and marks every spot on 
which it has recently sat. It is generally to be seen perched on the extreme top of some lofty 
tree, and while looking out for prey or engaged in active pursuit, pours forth a succession of 
ear-piercing cries, earning thereby from several ornithologists the specific title of “vociferous.” 
BLACK-WINGED FALCON— Elams melanopterus. 
