of the weight of its burden, it passed directly through 
them. A moment later, however, it appeared above them 
pines, keeping on to the 
in the direction of the 
south-east until lost to sight in the distance beyond the 
Ritchie pla.ce. Stone was perfectly sure that the bird 
was a Duck Hawk, and I had no doubts on this point. We 
both saw the blackish crown, the bluish back, and the 
characteristic tail—markings with perfect distinctness. 
The sharp, powerful wings were vibrated rapidly and in¬ 
cessantly as long as the bird was in sight. It came from 
the westward where the country is densely wooded for 
miles. I have never seen a Duck Hawk in such a place 
before. 
Besides the Duck Hawk, I saw,passing near the 
house this afternoon, a pair of Cooper’s Hawks, a Sharp- 
shinned Hawk and a Red-shouldered Hawk. One of the 
Cooper's Hawks was carrying in its talons what looked 
like a young chicken. \ 
