_Duck-Hawk._
_Falco anatum._
_Falco Peregrinus_, +Wilson+.—Aud. pl. 16.
_Falco anatum_, +Bonap.+
[3] Length 20 inches, expanse—? tail 7, flexure 14¹⁄₈, rictus 1¹⁄₂,
tarsus 2²⁄₁₀, middle toe 1⁹⁄₁₀, claw ⁹⁄₁₀.
The only individual of this species that has fallen under my notice is
a preserved specimen, now before me, which was obtained and prepared
at the Pedro Kays, about the end of March, 1846. The rocks so named,
of which I may have an opportunity of speaking more at large, are
situated about sixty miles to the south of the western end of Jamaica,
forming the prominent points of a large shoal, which is marked on
the old Spanish charts as the Vibora bank. The islets or kays are
the habitation of immense numbers of sea-fowl, especially Boobies
and Terns; and the eggs of the latter form no unimportant article of
commerce. Several small vessels are annually sent from Kingston and
other ports, in the month of March, which return loaded with eggs: and
parties are often made by sporting gentlemen, to enjoy the pleasure of
shooting on these desert rocks.
It is to the politeness of George Wilkie, Esq., who visited the Kays in
the past Spring, that I am indebted for the present specimen, shot by
him.
In the United States this bird is found to prey principally upon ducks,
which it appears to strike with its feet, but allows to drop to the
ground before it secures them. If, as is probable, its predilection
extends to other aquatic birds, its presence at the Pedro Kays, where
such prey abounds, on which it may riot undisturbed, is not surprising.
But, as the period of its occurrence is that of the migration of many
species of ducks from the Spanish main to the United States, our bird
may have been a follower, with predatory intent, of some of the many
bands of migrant ducks which were passing the rocks about that time.
The Prince of Canino has separated this species from the Peregrine
Falcon of Europe, with which it was supposed to be identical. The
European bird, which was renowned as the Tiercel and the Faucon of
falconry, is inferior in its dimensions to our species.