LE PETIT CAPORAL. 
279 
appear so striking 1 as to tlie student of nature, who 
examines her productions in the haunts which she has 
allotted to them. He perceives at a glance the dif- 
ferences of species, and when he has once hent his 
attention to an object, can distinguish it at distances 
which to the ordinary observer present merely a 
moving object, whether beast or bird. When years of 
constant observation have elapsed, it becomes a pleasure 
to him to establish the differences that he has found to 
exist among the various species of a tribe, and to dis- 
play to others, whose opportunities have been more 
limited, the fruits of his research. 
“ I hope, kind reader, you will not lay presumption to 
my charge, when I tell you, that I think myself some- 
what qualified to decide in a matter of this kind ; or say 
that I go too far, when I assert, that the hawk which 
sails before me, at a distance so great, that a careless 
observer might he apt to fancy it something else, I can 
distinguish and name with as much ease as I should 
recognize an old friend by his walk, or his tournure . 
Independently of the cast of countenance so conspicu- 
ously distinctive of different species of birds, there are 
characters of separation in their peculiar notes, or cries ; 
and, if you add to these, the distinctions that exist in 
their habits, it will be easy for you, when you have 
looked at the plate of the winter falcon and that of the 
red-shouldered hawk, and have been told that their 
notes and manners differ greatly, to perceive that these 
birds, although confounded by some, are truly distinct.” 
8. FALCO TEMERARIUS. LE PETIT CAPORAL. 
AUDUBON, PLATE LXXXV. 
This is a new species, allied to the hobby. It is a 
native of Pennsylvania. 
