72 
WINTER FALCON. 
This is, probably, the most timid of all our Sparrows, In 
winter it frequents the sea-shores ; but, as spring approaches, 
migrates to the interior, as I have lately discovered, building 
its nest in the grass nearly in the same form, though with 
fewer materials, as that of the Bay-winged Bunting. On the 
23d of May, I found one of these at the root of a clump of 
rushes in a grass field, with three young, nearly ready to fly. 
The female counterfeited lameness, spreading her wings and 
tail, and using many affectionate stratagems to allure me from 
the place. The eggs I have never seen. 
WINTER FALCON FALCO HYEMALIS. 
Plate XXX Y. Fig. 1. 
Turton, Syst. p. 156. — Arct. Zool. p. 209, No. 107 Peale's Museum, No. 272. 
and 273. 
ASTUR ? HYEMALIS.— Jardine.* 
The Winter Hawk, Aud. pi. 71 ; Orn. JBiog. p. 164. 
This elegant and spirited Hawk is represented in the 
plate of one half its natural size ; the other two figures are 
reduced in the same proportion. He visits us from the north 
early in November, and leaves us late in March. 
* This species, with the Faleo lineatus of our author, have been the subject of 
dispute, as to their identity. The Prince of Musignano thinks they are the 
same, but in different states of plumage, according to age. Audubon says 
they are decidedly distinct, and has given plates of each, with an account of 
the differences he observed in their habits. I have transcribed his observa- 
tions at some length, that these, distinctions may be seen and judged of indi- 
vidually. I am inclined to consider them distinct, and cannot reconcile the great 
difference of habit to birds of one species, particularly in the same country. 
With regard to their station, again, they present a most interesting form. 
They are intermediate, as it were, between Buteo, Astur , and Circus. The 
colours are those of Buteo and Circus ; while the form and active habits of the 
one is that of Astur ; those of the Winter Hawk more of Circus ; the wings 
are short for a true Buzzard, and possess the proportional length of the feathers 
of the Goshawks. The feet of both are decidedly Astur, running perhaps 
into the more slender form of Circus ; and from the preponderance of their form 
