File:The birds of America - from drawings made in the United States and their territories (1840) (14562421877).jpg

Identifier: birdsofamericafr01audu (find matches)
Title: The birds of America : from drawings made in the United States and their territories
Year: 1840 (1840s)
Authors: Audubon, John James, 1785-1851 Bowen, John T., ca. 1801-1856?, lithographer
Subjects: Birds Birds
Publisher: New York : Published by J.J. Audubon Philadelphia : J.B. Chevalier
Contributing Library: Smithsonian Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Biodiversity Heritage Library

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then they would alight on some of the highstakes placed on the shore as beacons to the fishermen who visit the coast,and stand for a few minutes, not erect like most other Hawks, but in theposition of a Lestris or Tern, after which they would resume their avocations,and pounce upon a Puffin, which they generally did while the poor bird wasstanding on the ground at the very entrance of its burrow, apparently quiteunaware of the approach of its powerful enemy. The Puffin appeared toform no impediment to the flight of the Hawk, which merely shook itselfafter rising in the air, as if to arrange its plumage, as the Fish Hawk doeswhen it has emerged from the water with a fish in its talons. These Falcons were all that were seen of this species during our expedi-tion, and I am inclined to think that this bird must be rare in that part ofLabrador. On dissecting the two killed, I found them to be a male and afemale, and saw that the latter had laid eggs that season. It is therefore N°4 PI. 19
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from (feiure by J JAuuiu THE ICELAND OR JER FALCON. 83 probable that the two which left the nest at the approach of the party werethe young birds. I made my drawing of them the day after their death. It was one of theseverest tasks which I ever performed, and was done under the most dis-agreeable circumstances. I sat up nearly the whole of the night, to sketchthem in outline. The next day it rained for hours, and the water fell on mypaper and colours all the while from the rigging of the Ripley. The weight of the female was 3 pounds 2 ounces, that of the male 2 pounds14 ounces avoirdupois. Their flesh was tough and bluish, and their wholestructure was remarkable for the indications of strength which it exhibited.The intestines measured 4 feet 9 inches. The heart was extremely large,and very remarkable for its firmness. The liver also was large. Thestomach, which was thin, contained remains offish, feathers, and hair. From the account which I received from my son and his companions, Iw

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