_Falco peregrinus anatum_
The adult is slaty blue above; buff below marked
with black, and with black cheek-patches. Immature
birds are blackish above margined with rusty,
below deep rusty buff streaked with blackish. L.,
male, 16; female, 19.
_Range._ Northern Hemisphere, breeding south
locally to New Jersey and in Alleghanies to South
Carolina; winters from New Jersey southward.
Washington, rare and irregular W.V. Ossining,
casual. Cambridge, rare T.V., casual in winter,
SE. Minn., uncommon S.R., Apl. 4.
As the Peregrine of falconry we know of the Duck Hawk as a fearless,
dashing hunter of greater power of wing and talon. It nests in rocky
cliffs in April and from its eyrie darts upon passing Pigeons and other
birds. It is most often seen following the coast-line during migrations
where it takes toll of Ducks and shore-birds. Three to four heavily
marked, brownish eggs are laid in April.