A Speeding Covey Of Partridges

One member of a covey of partridges has been observed flying at least 15 percent faster than the others when all birds were fleeing from a falcon. The distance flown before the testing distance was too short to enable maximum speed to be reached. For example, from the extensive speed records that have been compiled for the racing pigeon, it is known that some birds have maintained a speed of 80 miles per hour for half an hour or more, and although wind factors may have helped, it, it is certain that an expert pigeon can fly considerably faster than thirty-four miles per hour on a completely windless day.

In 1900 an American pigeon flew one hundred miles at the rate of 2,511.87 yards—nearly a mile and a half—per minute. I suspect it had a good following wind helping it along. The golden eagle and the duck hawk, when nose-diving, probably travel faster than any other birds in the world. The eagle, being the heavier bird, probably attains the greater speed, although it is difficult to obtain reliable figures. The few pilots who have followed an eagle down give speeds in the region of 200 miles per hour, but it seems at times that even this great speed is exceeded.

In fact the terminal velocity attained by a golden eagle after a stoop from an immense height (and they have been known to soar more than two miles high) must be colossal. Seton Gordon, who is an expert on the golden eagle, says he has known one to descend some 5,000 feet in six seconds. And that works out at 570 miles per hour—the speed of a fighter plane in a power-dive, or the muzzle velocity of a revolver bullet!

But it must be pointed out that even a slight error in either the estimated distance or the timing makes a considerable difference in the resulting figure. But even allowing for possible errors it would appear that this eagle certainly clocked more than 200 miles per hour during that headlong descent from more than a mile high. For the duck hawk we have the experience of a pilot that gives a fair indication of the sort of speed these wonderful flyers can put forth when they are really in a hurry.

The record is one of the most remarkable I have ever met in the whole literature of Nature speed facts. The incident appeared in The Bulletin of the Essex County Ornithological Club, and was recounted by Ralph Lawson from information supplied by the aviator in question, in whom Lawson had full confidence.

By: davidbunch

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Other Articles: fbi agent salary Who is hiring in my Area? Adecco employment agency