FLIGHT OF A FALCON.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 139, 13 June 1936, Page 6 (Supplement)

FLIGHT OF A FALCON.

By E. G. TURBOTT.

THE BUSH HAWK,

WHY do men like the falcon, and rather dislike the common harrier —"hawk"—of the open country? Being birds of prey, both of these are enemies to farmyard creatures to a certain extent. Yet a falcon is a fearless, dashing adversary, while a harrier is a wavering, oven cowardly one. Among the birds-of-prey-that-fly-bv-day New Zealand has only two living kinds, the common harrier, or kahu, and the New Zealand falcon, bush hawk or karearea (Falco novaeseelandiae). Another, the nankeen kestrel, from Australia, has beei; recorded three times as a visitor, while many years ago there lived in this land large eagles, which we have called harpagornis. These extinct eagles had very strong legs but fairly short wings, as their skeletons show. For not being still common in all districts, the New Zealand falcon (bush hawk) has only himself to blame. He is utterly fearless. His one aim is to catch whatever he is chasing, and lie pursues this aim regardless of all else, even of man himself. "Even on his autumn and winter hunting grounds, and long after the time has gone for the defence of young or protection of nest, he will pass unconcernedly in strong, level flight but a few feet distant." His flight across the sky is, however, not always level, but often swift, irregular and dashing. It is this manner of flight which a watcher remembers beet.