4 
QUABTERLT BULLETIN. 
but rather thought it was an immature specimen of Buteo lineatus^ 
but being uncertain did not give it a specific name when I sent it to 
you. The circumstances connected with its capture are as follows : 
Returning one morning from the head of a small pond in the vi- 
cinity of Paw Paw, Mich., where I had been duck shooting, I discov- 
ered a Hawk perched on the dead branch of a leaning tree that grew 
from the bank at the water’s edge. 
I was in my boat, and at least twenty-five rods from the tree, in 
full view of the bird, which was eyeing me attentively, so I had no 
chance of approaching him except in full view, and as he appeared 
about to fly I gave up all hopes of getting a shot at him. But to my 
surprise he described a complete circle and came nearly over my 
head, when I fired at him. 
He continued his flight in an awkward and laborious manner until 
he reached the shore ; then dropped dead within a few feet of the 
very tree Irom winch he started. 
I think that this was about the first of October, 1873, but am not 
certain about the exact date. I have often thought of the peculiar 
movement of this bird. Here, when I had given up all hopes of ap- 
proaching him he should fly to me, as it were, to receive his death 
wound, then return again to the shore to suffer himself to fall on dry 
ground. I may add that I have never had any birds directly from 
Europe, and none larger than an English Fieldfare. 
Respectfully, yours, 
J. D. ALLEN.” 
Although this species has been excluded from our ornithologies 
for many years, yet this is not the first instance on record of the 
capture of huteo vulgaris in North America. As early as 1838, 
Audubon made mention of it. In Vol. IV, page 508 of Orni- 
thological Biography he says, speaking of his illustration, [PL 
372] : “ The specimen from which the figure before you was ta- 
ken was shot by Dr. Townsend on a rock near the Columbia 
River, on which it had its nest.” 
Then follows Audubon’s description, which agrees in every 
particular with my specimen ; differing utterly from that of 
fcSwainson’s Hawk {Buteo Swainsoni), which I have before me, 
and which more recent authors appear to think Audubon had in 
hand when he made his description. I give below the main 
points of difference between Audubon’s description and Swain- 
son’s Hawk, which will also apply equally to my specimen : — 
“Feet; short, robust.” Swainson’s has quite slender tarsi. 
“ Wings ; long, broad, the fourth quill longest.” Swainson’s 
has the third the longest. “ The third next, the fifth very little 
shorter, the second longer than fifth.” Swainson’s has the 
fourth next longest, the fifth fully an inch shorter than the third 
whilst the fifth is a little longer than the second, making quite 
a differently formed wing from that of vulgaris. “ First four 
abruptly cut out on the inner web.” Now it is a well known 
character of Swainson’s to have but three incised primaries. 
