52 
EALCO PEREGRINUS. 
been related to us of the achievements of the duck 
hawk, they would swell our pages at the expense, 
probably, of our reputation. Naturalists should be 
always on their guard when they find themselves 
compelled to resort to the observations of others, and 
record nothing as fact which has not been submitted to 
the temperate deliberations of reason. The reverse of 
this procedure has been a principal cause why errors 
and absurdities have so frequently deformed the pages 
of works of science, which, like a plane mirror, ought 
to reflect only the genuine images of nature. 
From the best sources of information, we learn that 
this species is uncommonly bold and powerful ; that it 
darts on its prey with astonishing velocity ; and that it 
strikes with its formidable feet, permitting the duck to 
fall previously to securing it. The circumstance of the 
hawk’s never carrying the duck off on striking it, has 
given rise to the belief of that service being performed 
by means of the breast, which vulgar opinion has armed 
with a projecting bone, adapted to the purpose. But 
this cannot be the fact, as the breast-bone of this bird 
does not differ from that of others of the same tribe, 
which would not admit of so violent a concussion. 
When the water fowl perceive the approach of their 
enemy, a universal alarm pervades Iheir ranks; even 
man himself, with his engine of destruction, is not 
more terrible. But the effect is different. When the 
latter is beheld, the whole atmosphere is enlivened 
with the whistling of wings ; when the former is 
recognized, not a duck is to be seen in the air : they all 
speed to the water, and there remain until the hawk 
has passed them, diving the moment he comes near 
them. It is worthy of remark, that he will seldom, if 
ever, strike over the water, unless it be frozen ; well 
knowing that it will be difficult to secure his quarry. 
This is something more than instinct. 
When the sportsmen perceive the hawk knock down 
a duck, they frequently disappoint him of it, by being 
first to secure it. And as one evil turn, according 
to the maxim of the multitude, deserves another, our 
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