The student may advantageously bear in mind that of those above, which were originally described by Pennant, in English, abstracts or compilations only, in Latin, are given by Gmelin in his edition of the Systema Natura of Linnæus. These abstracts are mostly very short, and not always to be relied on as conveying strictly the sense of the originals. Nor are they at all improved by Turton in his edition of Linnæus, in which, so far as relates to these species, he merely retranslates into English the Latin text of Gmelin without reference to Pennant. In the study of the obscure species alluded to, the original descriptions only can be consulted without risk of error.
Plate 16
The American Lanier
Falco polyagrus (Cassin)
FALCO POLYAGRUS.—Cassin.
The American Lanier Falcon.
PLATE XVI.—Male and Female.
The researches of late naturalists have tended to demonstrate that the animals of Western North America have a more intimate relationship with those of Asia and the old world generally than those of the Eastern portion of this continent. Nor is this affinity restricted, apparently, to any one class, or to such as might have migrated, but is found to exist in a greater or less degree in classes of animals, as that of reptiles, possessing powers of locomotion too limited to admit of such supposition. When, too, we have had our attention directed to the family of Sparrows and Finches, to the beautiful Jays and Magpies, or the various species of Grouse, Partridges, and many other families, we have been almost persuaded to entertain the opinion that the birds of Western America are of a higher grade of organization than those of the Atlantic States. Whether such is the case in other classes of animals, we are not prepared to say, but, if true, it is singularly accordant with the fact that, of the aboriginal American races of men, the West has produced the superior. And it is remarkable, too, that there are Western tribes which very intimately resemble the Mongolian variety of the human race, if they do not really belong to it; thus connecting themselves with the Chinese and Japanese, and other nations of Northern Asia.
The remarkable Falcon which we now have the pleasure of introducing to the reader, is one of the species that show close affinity to an Asiatic congener. It is so much like a common Falcon of India, a bird much used for the purposes of falconry, and known by the name of the Jugger, in the valley of the Indus and other parts of India (Falco jugger. Gray, Ill. of Indian Zoology, II. pl. 26, and Jerdon, Ill. Indian Orn., pl. 44), that it can scarcely be distinguished from it by any character, except size. It is in fact one of the most remarkable instances of close proximity to an Asiatic relative to be found in American birds. It is larger than the Indian Jugger, and more powerful and robustly organized.
Though trained for the chase, the Asiatic bird alluded to is not held in as high estimation as several others; the greatest favorites being the Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus), nearly related to the Duck Hawk of the Atlantic coast of America (F. anatum), and the Indian Goshawk (Astur palumbarius), which is also a relative of an American species. Falconry, though now little cultivated in Europe, is yet a much-pursued and favorite pastime in several countries of the East. In addition to the Hawks just mentioned, several others, a few of which are more or less nearly related to species of this country, are employed. Some of the smaller Hawks of India are so easily trained that they are set free at the close of a hunting season, the Falconer not considering them of sufficient value to induce him to keep them until another.
The home of the bird now before us, appears to be the mountainous regions of Oregon and California, from which it descends in the winter season to the lower districts, in the valleys of the rivers, and on the shores of the Pacific. In the former country, near the sources of the Platte river, the first specimen that we ever saw, was obtained by the late Dr. John K. Townsend during his trip across the continent in the year 1834, and in whose collection, now belonging to the Philadelphia Academy, it yet remains. Since that period it has been observed in the Rocky Mountains and on the Columbia river, by the naturalists attached to the United States Exploring Expedition, in the Vincennes and Peacock. In the fine zoological collection made by this expedition, is preserved the only female specimen, in the dark plumage, described below, yet known to have been brought to the attention of naturalists. In California, Dr. Heermann particularly noticed this bird, and his collection contains several specimens which he obtained in the plains near Sacramento city.
DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS.
Genus Falco. Linnæus, Syst. Nat., I. p. 124. (1766.)