In Oregon and Russian-America, there are also very probably species which have not been recognized as inhabitants of this continent, though well known as birds of Northern Asia, and others entirely unknown to naturalists.
B.
Doubtful and obscure species which have been described as inhabiting North America.
1. Falco americanus. Gm., Syst. Nat., I. p. 257. (1788.) The Black-cheeked Eagle. Pennant, Arctic Zoology, I. p. 227.
“With a dusky and blue-bill; yellow cere; head, neck and breast of a deep ash-color, each cheek marked with a broad black bar passing from the corner of the mouth beyond the eyes; back, belly, wings, and tail, black; legs yellow; feathered below the knees. Is about the size of the last (the Golden Eagle) North America,” (Pennant, as above.)
Of this bird, Gmelin gives a short abstract of Pennant’s description, and applies a scientific name. Naturalists relying solely on that abstract, have erroneously considered the species meant as the Golden Eagle (A. chrysaetus), and the name Falco americanus has accordingly been usually quoted as a synonyme. Though “feathered below the knees” is somewhat indefinite, yet, taken in connexion with “legs yellow,” it is clear that this cannot be the Golden Eagle, which has the tarsus densely feathered. There is no North American species known to which the original description applies.
2. Falco candidus. Gm., Syst. Nat., I. p. 258. (1788.) The Louisiana White Eagle. Lath., Syn., I. p. 36. Du Pratz, Hist. Louisiane, II. p. 109. Falco conciliator. Shaw, Gen. Zool. Aves., VII. p. 77. (1809.)
White; tips of the wings black. Smaller than the Golden Eagle.
This bird is represented by Du Pratz as held in high estimation by the aborigines of Louisiana, who used its feathers for ornamenting the calumet or symbol of peace. It may have been an albino of a known species, or distinct and now unknown. The description applies to a beautiful Mexican species, Buteo Ghiesbrectii (Dubus), which is about the size of the Red-tailed Hawk (B. borealis), and should it ever be observed in Louisiana, the question may be considered as settled.
3. Falco variegatus. Gm., Syst. Nat., I. p. 267. (1788.) The Speckled Buzzard. Lath., Syn., I. p. 97.