[13.] 2. A c c ip it e r P e n n s y l v a n ic u s . (Swainson.) Slate-coloured, Hawk;
Genus. Accipiter. Antiq.. Ray.
Slate-coloured Hawk. (Falco Pennsylvanicus.') Wilson, vi., p. 13, pi. 46, f. 1. Male.
Autour à bec sinueux. T e m m . Pli col. 67. Female. ?
Falco (Astur) velox. Bonap. Syn., p. 29, No. 14r
Accipiter Fringilloides. Vigors. Zool.Jtmm., iii^ p. 436, No. 11. ?
Peepeequaisees. Cr é é I ndians. (Monsonees.)
A specimen of this bird, killed in the vicinity of Moose Factory, and deposited
by the Hudson’s Bay Company in the Zoological Museum, enables us to enumerate
it as an inhabitant of the fur countries, although it was not seen by any of the
members of the Expedition in their several journeys. The admirable figure of
Wilson is so perfectly characteristic of this Hawk, that we feel no doubt in considering
our specimen as truly belonging to the same species. Less certainty, however,
attends the synonyme here quoted of the Planches coloriées of M. Temminck ;
for the figure is either remarkably inaccurate, or it represents a bird very different
from the female of F. Pennsylvanicus,—the tail being represented as distinctly
rounded, whereas, in the species described by Wilson, the termination of all the
feathers is perfectly even. The text, unfortunately, affords nothing to solve the
question : should this be an error of the artist, the figure must be considered, not
as “ le jeune de l’année," as supposed by M. Temminck, but as a male of the
second year, just assuming the adult plumage,—a fact sufficiently indicated by
the figure, which represents some indistinct transverse bands on the breast. The
females and males of the first year are marked with longitudinal stripes on all
parts of the under plumage. Still greater doubts impede the right understanding
of the Accipiter fringilloides of Mr. Vigors, whose description, minute in all that
regards colour, is deficient in the three most material points which might have
solved our difficulties; namely, the form of the tail, the relative proportion of the
quills, and the comparative sinuosity of the upper mandible. So far, however, as
this account goes, it might lead to the suspicion of its having been taken from a
young male A. Pennsylvanicus, the “ frontis plumas brunnescentes fusco striatoe ”
being probably the indication of youth ; while the measurements of the bill and
tarsus sufficiently agree with those of our bird*. Yet the length of the wings,
stated at only five inches, if not an error of the press or of transcription, consider*
It is very desirable that authors should adopt one uniform mode'of measurement, or at least explain their methods
more accurately, until some definite plan is adopted.—S w.
ably militates against this supposition. It is to be hoped that this respectable
ornithologist will give an improved account of his A. fringilloides, that its true
characters may be known. This is the more necessary from there being another
Accipiter, inhabiting the extratropical latitudes of America, so completely resembling
A . Pennsylvanicus in its immature plumage, or in the female dress, that the
colours in both are precisely alike. It differs, however, from both Pennsylvanicus and fringilloides not only in being much larger, but in having the tail distinctly
rounded, and the upper mandible of the bill much less festooned. We have
hitherto seen only the female of this species; but the above characters may be
advantageously employed to separate it from Pennsylvanicus*. It was sent from
Real del Monte, and is now in the possession of our friend, Mr. Taylor. Independent
of the above distinctions, it is important to notice, that the anterior scales
on the tarsus of Pennsylvanicus are entire, being, apparently, formed externally of
one entire piece; whereas, in Mexicanus, the transverse divisions are distinctly
visible. The particular structure of these parts in fringilloides has not been
mentioned@i-Sw.
DESCRIPTION
Of a specimen killed near Moose Factory, lat. 51°. "
Colour of the upper plumage blackish-grey, brightening towards the rump into bluish-grey;
all the shafts being black. There are several concealed large white spots on the scapularies.
The bastard wings, primary coverts, and five first quill feathers, have a dull umber-brown
colour, as if much worn : the succeeding five (new ones) have a shining blackish-brown tint,
and the secondaries are nearly of the colour of the rest of the superior plumage. Deeper
shades of colour form some obscure bars on the quill feathers, and there are six or seven large
white marks on their inner webs. The tail has also a worn appearance, and it is crossed by
several alternate bars of umber and wood-brown, and is tipped with white. The shafts ol
the flag and tail feathers are brown. Under surface. Throat white, with black shafts.
Breast, belly, flanks, and thighs wood-brown, broadly barred with white. The linings of the
wings are brownish-white, with transverse peaked brown spots. The bars on the under surface
of the quill and tail feathers are very distinct. The under tail coverts are white. Bill
and claws blackish. Legs yellow.
Form, &c.—Bill curved from the base, compressed, with a very distinct obtuse lobe on
* Accipiter Mexicanus. (Swainson.)
Sp . Ch.—Larger than A. Pennsylvanicus. Tail rounded, bill less sinuated. Length of the wing when closed, nine
inches and a quarter. Inhabits Real del Monte, Mexico. The validity of this specific distinction must, nevertheless,
depend upon an accurate examination of the F. velox of Wilson, to whose description the Mexican bird closely approximates.
The size of velox appears smaller, being stated at thirteen inches, and the tail is “ nearly even.” Our bird is
full seventeen inches, and the tail much rounded, the four outer feathers being graduated, and the outermost nearly
three-quarters of an inch shorter than the middle feathers. We have not yet personally examined a specimen of velox,
which Prince C. Bonaparte considers the female of Wilson’s Pennsylvanicus ; this supposition, however,»is clearly
erroneous.—Sw.