52 
TALCO PEHEGRINUS. 
been related to us of the achievements of the 
hawk, they would swell our pages at the expf*’|^’ 
probably, of our reputation. Katuralists should 
alw'ays on their guiu’d when they find themsel' j 
compelled to resort to the observations of others, 
record nothing as fact which has not been sjibmitted S 
the temperate deliberations of reason. The reverse 
this procedure has been a principal causi* why erro" 
and absurdities have so frequently deformed the pi'cfj 
of works of scieu(!e, which, like a plane mirror, oug‘‘ 
to retlect only the genuine images of nature. j 
From the best sources of information, we learn tk.j 
this species is uncommonly bold and powerful; tha^.j 
darts on its prey with astonishing velocity; and tha* 
strikes with its formidable feet, permitting the duck 
fall previously to securing it. The circumstance of 
hawk’s never carr}dng the duck off on striking it, 
given rise to the belief of that service being perforia*^ 
by means of the breast, w Inch vulgar opinion has 
with a projecting bone, adapted to the purpose. j 
this cannot be the fact, as tiie breast-bone of this kj 
does not differ from that of others of the same tr’k ' 
which would not admit of so violent a concussion, o 
When the water fowl perceive the approach of „ 
enemy, a universal alarm pervades their ranks; <■'’ 
ao* 
..d 
man himself, with his engine of destruction, is 
more terrible. But the cfl'ect is different. When 
latter is beheld, the vyhole atmosphere is eulivc>’‘j^ 
with the whistling of wings ; when the fornxc*’^j 
recognized, not a duck is to be seen in the air : the)' jj 
speed to the water, and there remain until the 
has passed them, diving the moment he comes 
them. It is worthy of remark, that he will seldo*®;^)! 
ever, strike over the water, unless it be frozen ; 
knowing that it will be difficult to secure his q'***"^ ^ 
This is something more than instinct. .-a 
When the sportsmen perceive the hawk knock 
a duck, they frequently disappoint him of it, by 
first to secure it. And as one evil turn, accor" ^ 
to the maxim of the multitude, deserves another, 
