Evening star., 1938-07-03
By William Wimsatf and
Robert McDermOff


(AH Photographs by the anthors.)
-EW people realize that we have
l. peregrine falcon in America
the wild duck hawk. This is
L the falcon of the days of chival-
~, when the knights and their ladies
used the deadly .''stoop" of this
courageous hawk for sport. The speed
and accuracy of these birds is amazing
and their tireless wings and bodies
seem to resist all fatigue. The duck
hawk is also one of the handsomest
and most intelligent of our hawks.
On cliffs overlooking the beautiful
river valleys of New York and Penn
sylvania we found recently this noble
bird at home They prefer nesting
sites secluded from the eye and visits
of man, but we encountered several
that had chosen for their eyries cllf1s
overlooking towns and villages. The
chief fare of these birds consists OF
pigeons living in church steeples ana
cornices Of buildings.
On our trip we visited the nest of
pair Of hawks on cliff many miles
from travelled roads. Because the
precipice extended distance on either
side Of the eyrie, and it was impossible
to scale the perpendicular rock, we ap-
preached the nest from above. This,
unfortunately, required a walk Of sew
eral miles under the weight OF our
eouipment. The heat and strain tired
us until, by the time We reached
position over the eyrie, we were al
most ready to call it quits. But at
that moment an adult peregrine came
plunging and screaming high over our
heads and, inspired by this sight, we
felt all Of our enthusiasm returning.
WE WE'RE then high on a noun
w tain above the cliff and began
tough descent to the edge. There was
no trail on this slope. so we picked our
way down the steep incline, covered
with loose boulders and heavy under
brush. At last we parted the matted
growth which overhung the very edge
of the cliff, and what sight greeted
US! Was that the river so far below
us? We were able to trace It's course
for miles. The mountain ranges and
checkerboard of many fields pre-
sented a beautiful picture.
Across this panorama, to interrupt
our soliloquy, dashed the very soul OF
fury. The female duck hawk had
seen us approach her nest and was
prepared to take any risk to protect
shielded from her onslaught by the
heavy brush as we made our prepara-
tions for descent. Every precaution
was taken to see that each knot was
property tied, as one faulty knot
might have proven fatal.
A half Inch rope was anchored
firmly to stout tree and the loose
end dropped over the cliff. Taking
another, we tied running bovine
Tn it and then climbed into the loops
formed by the knot. This rope was
wrapped about the tree several times
and paid out by those above as the
lucky one descended.
The descent was accomplished by
climbing down the anchored rope and
the seat rope. As we looked over the
edge of the cliff we were suddenly un-
nerved and our grip on the anchor
rope perceptibly frightened This feel
Ing was only momentary. for suddenly
we heard loud swish and felt great
gust OF air.
THE peregrine had us in the open
at last and was trying to avenge
the invasion of her eyrie. Naturally
We were at decided disadvantage
40 we climbed down with utmost
speed. We knew if we reached the
nesting shelf before her next attack
We would be better able to defenc
ourselves.
It was fortunate that we did this
= because as we neared the nest. thl
hawk became much bolder. Many
. times she dove upon us and Otter
!. we felt the brush of a wing tip AM
= involuntarily drew close to the wal
:, of rock, as we remembered the ex
perience Of a friend who was scarce
]. for life by these birds
Finally the nest was located unde
q slight overhang of rock. and b.
watching the bird and swinging unde
the ledge at the proper moment, W
safely avoided her rushes. In tn
nest . thrilling spectacle greeted on
eyes. There We saw four downy whit
hawklets, which already showed sign
of their parents fierce disposition. q
they hissed at us angrily. Strewl
all about were the feathers and flesl
Of many birds brought to them b
their parents. OF these remain!
those of pigeons and bluejays wer
the most common.
We were then ready to photograph
and at our signal those above lowere
the cameras and films to US in
basket. We placed our feet firml
against the rock, sat back in tn
rope and began to take pictures. Th
: young duck hawks, which up to thl
time had resented our intrusion, wei