Object Status:
Extant
Accession Date:
By 1799
Primary Source Reference:
Charles Willson Peale, "Register of birds" in 1793 diary. American Philosophical Society Library, Peale-Sellers Family Collection (Mss.B.P31).
Additional Source Text:
Charles Willson Peale (1741-1827) wrote in a "Register [list] of birds" in his 1793 diary, during a collecting trip to Cape Henlopen, Delaware: "[28 August 1793]: Marsh Hawk (the testicles very small)" (American Philosophical Society Library, Peale-Sellers Family Collection, Mss.B.P31).
Peale wrote, in his 13th Lecture (ca. 1799): "No. 26 & 27. Marsh Hawk. Cere and feet yellow; plumage brown mixed with russet and white; small varied feathers forming a ring round the eyes; long tail barred above with brown and russet. They are very common where there are extensive marshes, and prey on small birds. It is the Falco pygargus of Linn. These are considerably like Buffon's Soubeuse, coloured plate No. 443. Authors disagree respecting the male and female of this bird, and whether these [specimens] are of a different sex, I cannot say, or whether it is a variety of this American Bird." (Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University Archives, coll. 40)
Peale continued; "The plumage of No. 27 is brighter; whiter on the underparts, distinctly stripes; and marked with the form of spear points on the leg feathers. No. 26 has more yellow on the under parts, very faintly striped. They measure from 20 to 22 Inches long. Buffon says they both haunt places where poultry is keept, to seize young pidgeons and chickens; both are ignoble birds which attack only the weak and feeble, and therefore deserve neither the name of Falcons nor that of Lanniers. Regard the slender make of these birds; although a spritely bird, they cannot have strength to manage large game—then why is this bird Ignoble? Forsooth because it only attacks the feeble. Strange reasoning this, to come from the French Pliny." (ANSP Archives, coll. 40)
Alexander Wilson (1766-1813) described a female specimen under the name "Marsh Hawk / Falco uliginosus" in American Ornithology vol. 6 (Pl. 51), where "Peale's Museum, No. 318" was cited (Wilson 1812: 67). / https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/175484#page/91/mode/1up (text) / https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/175484#page/90/mode/1up (plate)
Notes:
Peale's collecting efforts at Cape Henlopen were overlooked by compilers of Delaware bird records, prior to this study (Gene K. Hess, in litt. 10 February 2024).
Specimen Type:
Dead/preserved
Current Common Name:
Northern Harrier
Current Scientific Name
Accipitridae | Circus hudsonius
