T H E STANLEY HAWK.
FALCO STANLEII.
P L A T E X X X V I . MALE AND FEMALE.
BEFORE entering upon the description of this interesting species, allow
me to submit to your consideration a few observations respecting the
flight of the different species of Hawks, which I have had occasion to examine
both in America and in Europe.
All such species as are usually referred to the subgenus Astur, or are
most nearly allied to it, and which consequently have shorter wings, as
well as longer tails, than the true Falcons, sail less frequently and less
continuously in circles, and embrace a smaller space in their gyrations,
than the latter birds. Their general flight is low, sometimes only a few
feet above the ground, and their velocity surpasses that of the true Falcons
on such occasions. Their body is more compressed and elongated,
and appears to be propelled through the air chiefly by the action of their
long tail. None of these birds ever glide down on their prey from a great
height, with closed wings, and the rustling noise produced by Eagles or
other nobler tribes of the genus. The types of this group I would consider
to be the Goshawk (FALCO PALUMBARIUS) and the Stanley Hawk.
For the type of the True Falcons, no species could answer better than the
Great-footed Hawk (FALCO PEREGRINUS).
A distinct and intermediate kind of flight belongs to such Hawks as
have both a long tail and long wings. These species are able to dive
through the air, either when in pursuit of their prey, or for amusement
or exercise, although with less firmness of action than the True Falcons;
and they fly over the earth with less velocity than the Asturs, their motions
then consisting of easy flappings, or loose protracted sailings. The Henharrier
{FALCO CYANEUS), the Forked-tailed Hawk {FALCO JIIRCATUS), and
the White-tailed Hawk (FALCO DISPAR), are of this tribe.
It may be remarked here, that most species of Shrikes bear a great resemblance
in their flight to the Asturs. But, let us return to the Stanley
Hawk.
On the 5th of December 1809, I made a drawing of the male of this
species, in its matured state of colouring, at Louisville, in Kentucky,
where I then resided. That drawing is now before me, and the bird which
it represents is to this day undescribed. The figure would have been engraved
and presented to your consideration, kind reader, had it not been
as stiff, and as little indicative of life, as those usually seen in books on
Natural History. The expectation of being able to procure another individual
in precisely the same state of plumage, has, together with the
above circumstance, induced me to content myself, for the present, with
offering to your inspection a male, probably two years old, and an adult
female. I have killed many of the latter in the course of my rambles, but
I had not the good fortune to obtain an old male, although I have seen
several on wing, and once wounded one whilst perched near its nest. In
this article, I shall give you a full description of the three different figures,
as they shew considerable diversity, especially in the colour of the eyes,
the adult bird having the iris of a reddish-orange tint, while the young
bird has it of a bright yellow. But as I am desirous of adhering to
my plan, I shall speak of its habits before I trouble you with its description,
remarking in the mean time, that I have honoured the species
with the name of the President of the Linnean Society of London, the
Right Honourable Lord STANLEY, a nobleman whose continued kindness
to me I am happy in acknowledging.
The flight of the Stanley Hawk is rapid, protracted, and even. It is
performed at a short height above the ground or through the forest. It
passes along in a silent gliding manner, with a swiftness even superior to
that of the Wild Pigeon (Columba mrgratorid), seldom deviating from a
straight-forward course, unless to seize and secure its prey. Now and
then, but seldom unless after being shot at, it mounts in the air in circles,
of which it describes five or six in a hurried manner, and again plunging
downwards, continues its journey as before.
The daring exploits performed by the Stanley Hawk, which have taken
place in my presence, are very numerous, and I shall relate one or two
of them. This marauder frequently attacks birds far superior to itself in
weight, and sometimes possessed of courage equal to its own. As I was
one morning observing the motions of some Parakeets near Bayou Sara,
in the State of Louisiana, in the month of November, I heard a Cock crowing
not far from me, and in sight of a farm-house. The Stanley Hawk
the next moment flew past me, and so close that I might have touched it
with the barrel of my gun, had I been prepared. Its wings struck with
extraordinary rapidity, and its tail appeared as if closed. Not more than
a few seconds elapsed before I heard the cackling of the Hens, and the