FALCONIDaS. BIRDS. PALCONIDffl. 
clxx 
APLOMADO FALCON {Falco femoralis ). — A soiitli- 
ei'ii species, witli its liabitat e.xteiulei] over the wliole 
of South America, and northward tlirongh Central 
America and Mexico, into 'I'exas and New Mexico. 
It is said to be very abundant on the pampas ot 
South America, where it is not at all shy. It is 
frequently trained in this region for hunting small 
game. 'J’lie Chilian falconei'S esteem this sjjecies 
highly, and find it very docile, and readily tanmd. 
AMERICAN SPARROW HAWK {Falco sparverius). 
— 'I'his is also called the American Kestkei,. It is 
found on the continent of North America, from 
coast to coast, but not on the islands. Several 
varieties are recognized. Variety isabellinus has 
very much darker markings, 'riiough having a very 
wide Distribution, the Sp*rrow Hawk is not met 
with in the extreme Arctic regions ; latitude 62°, on 
Great Shore Lake, being the highest northern limit 
yet recorded. 'I’he habits of this bird are rather 
peculiar. Wilson says of him: “It flies rather 
irregularly, occasionally suspending itself in the air, 
hovering over a particular spot for a minute or two, 
and then shooting off in another direction. It 
perches on the top of a dead tree or pole in the 
middle of a fleld or meadow, and, as it alights, shuts 
its long wings so suddenly that they seem instantly 
to disappear; it sits here, in an almost perpendicular 
position, sometimes for an hour at a time, frequently 
jerking its tail, and reconnoitering the ground below 
in every direction for mice, lizards, etc. It frequent- 
ly jilunges into a thicket after small birds, as if at 
random, but always with a particular, and generally 
a fatal aim. One day I observed a bird of this spe- 
cies pei'ched on the highest top of a large poplar on 
the skirts of the wood, and was in the act of raising 
my gun to the eye, when he swept down with the 
rajiidity of an arrow into a thicket of briars about 
thirty yards off, where I shot him dead, and, on com- 
ing uj), I'ound the small field-sparrow quivering in his 
grasp. Both our aims had been taken in the same 
instant, and, unfortunately for him, both were fatal. 
It is particularly fond of watching along hedgerow.s 
and in orchards. It will seldom or never eat any- 
ihing it has not killed itself, and even that, if not in 
good order, is sometimes rejected.” Referring to the 
resemblance of this bird to the European Kestrel, 
tlie editor of Wilson's Ornithology says : “'I'he man- 
ner of suspending itself in the air is exactly similar 
to that of our Windiiover ; and [ am not aware that 
this peculiar manner of hunting is made use of by 
any other of the Falconidce, with the exception of 
the Kestrels — that is, those of Europe and Africa. 
'I’he true Falcons survey the ground by extensive 
sweeps or a rapid flight, and stoop at once on their 
prey with the velocity and force of lightning; the 
others quietly watch their quarry when suspended 
or perched on a bare eminence or tree in the manner 
described, and take it by surprise. The whole of the 
Kestrels are very familiar, easily tamed, and, when in 
confinement, become even playful. It is remarkable 
that, perhaps, more Kestrels build and bring to ma- 
turity their young in London, than in any other 
space of the same dimensions. 'I'lie breeding places 
there are the belfries of the different churches, where 
neither the bustle beneath nor the jingle of the bells 
seems to have any effect upon them.” 
CARACARA EAGLE ( Polyhorus tharus ). — This single 
species of the genus Polyborus is the only one known. 
It extends over the whole of tropical and sub-tropical 
America, excepting some of the West India Islands. 
It is closely allied to several other South American 
forms which are peculiarly American. Its habits are 
quite different from the Falconidce generally, having 
those of the Vultures and gallinaceous birds to a 
certain extent, combined. It is terrestrial, and able 
to run or walk rather gracefully. 'I'he present species 
is sometimes called King Buzzard. 'I’wo varieties 
are recognized. Our bird is the variety auduboni. 
It is very common in Florida. Mr. Boardman found 
it abundant there, associated with the Vultures. Dr. 
Cones found it not a rare bird in Arizona. 
FISH HAWK {Pandion haliaetus). — 'I’his bird, 
called also the American Osprey, is the only species 
of its genus. Its range is very e.xtensive, being al- 
most cosmopolitan. 'I’he present variety, carolinensis, 
is found over the whole of North America, in North 
Brazil and the West India Islands. Wilson says : 
“'I’he first appearance of the Fish Hawk in spring is 
welcomed by the fishermen as tlie happy signal of 
the approach of those vast shoals of shad, herring, 
etc., that regularly arrive on our coasts, and enter 
our rivers in such prodigious numbers. 'I’he nest 
of the Fish Hawk is something very remarkable. 
It is usually built on the top of a dead or decay- 
ing tree. Externally, large sticks — ‘from half an 
inch to an inch and a half in diameter, and two 
or three feet in length — piled to the height of 
four or five feet, and from two to three feet in 
breadth, were intormixed with corn-stalks, sea-weed, 
pieces of wet turf in large quantities, mullein-stalks, 
and lined witli dry sea-grass ; the whole forming a 
mass very observable at a half a mile distant, and 
large enough to fill a cart, and be no inconsiderable 
load for a horse. 'I’he flight of the Fish Hawk, his 
manoeuvres while in search of fish, and his manner of 
seizing prey, are deserving of particular notice. In 
leaving the nest, he usually flies direct until he comes 
to the sea, then sails around in easy curves, turning 
sometimes in the air, as on a pivot, apparently with- 
out the least exertion. His remarkable length and 
curvature of wing distinguish him from any other 
Hawk. Suddenly he is seen to check his course, as 
if struck by a particular object, which he seems to 
survey for some minutes with such steadiness that he 
appears fixed in air, flapping his wings. At once, 
from this sublime aerial height, he descends like a 
perpendicular torrent, plunging into the sea with a 
loud, rushing sound, and with the certainty of a rifle. 
In a few moments he emerges, bearing in his claws 
his struggling prey, which he always carries head- 
foremost, and, having risen a few feet above the sur- 
face, shakes himself as a water spaniel would do, and 
directs his heavy and laborious course diiectly for 
the land. In one instance a shad was taken from 
a Fish Hawk which weighed six pounds.” 'I’he 
Fish Hawk is considered as the most numerous 
