1853.] 30'.5 



II is a fact worthy of note that this nobis eagle, in the absence of rocky cliffs 

 for its eyrio, does occasionally nest on ^;ee5. One instance occurred between 

 Racine and Milwaukee, in 1S51. The nest was fixed in the triple Ibrks of a 

 a large oak. 



Halmztus Wasiiingtonii, And. 



I procured, in 1850, a living bird that had been slightly wounded, which 

 answered to Audubon's description of this donhtfat species. 1 kept it in an 

 ample cage upwards of two years, but before its death it underwent changes in 

 plumage which led me to believe that, had it lived, it would have proved to b? 

 the white-headed species. I put several species of hawks and owls into the 

 same apartment, several of which the. eagle killed and devoured without cere- 

 mony. When a fowl was introduced, he pounced upon it, and without attempting 

 to kill, proceeded to pluck it with the greatest unconcern, notwithstanding its 

 piteous screams and struggles. 



It is my opinion that the Bird of Washington will prove to be only an unusually 

 marked large and fine immature white-headed eagle. My specimen, a female, 

 measured 7^ ft. in alar extent. 



*Hali/ETUS lexjcocephalus, Linn. 



Numerous throughout the State. I have seen one of these fine birds pounce 

 upon and capture a fish in the lake. The eagle did not disappear wholly under 

 the water, which led me to snspect that the fish was in some way disHibled. 



*Pandiox hali.etus, Linn. 

 Not uncommon. 



*Falco TEiiEGRii^rSy Gmcl, 



This noble falcon is frequently met with, although not so numerous as many 

 other hawks. A pair nested for several years within ten miles of this city; 

 constructing their nest on the top of a large red beech-tree. 



I have seen one of these daring hawks make a swoop into a floek of blue- 

 winged tea], killing two on the spot. 



*Fal,co colujibarius, liinn. 



This active little I'alcon is numerous, especially in spring and fall, during the 

 miiiration of the smaller birds. A few nest with us, nmany more in the pine 

 forests- of the northern part of the State. Those that nest in this vicinity regu- 

 larly morning and eveniag visit the lake shore, in quest of bank swallows, 

 which they seize with great dexterity while on the wing. 



Fai^co jERALON, Gmel. 



1 have met with three individuals of this small species, Nov. loth, 1819^ 

 Dec. a.jth, 1850, and Dec. 12th, 1852. 



*Fai.co srARVEKius, Li?/n. 

 Common. 



*AsrUR ATRICAPILLIIS, Wilson. 



This daring and powerful hawk is to be found at all seasons ; the old birds 

 on)y remain during winter, the young retiring further sowth. The young are so- 

 different in their plumage from the old birds, that few would suspect their 

 identity; they are more bold and darins:, much more destructive to the poultry 

 yards than the more sly and cautious old ones a peculiarity not, hov.ever, con- 

 fined to this species. 



*AsTrR COOPERTI, Bonaj}. 



Not uncommon. They destroy many quails and young grouse, which, toge- 

 ther with poultry, constitute their principal fare. They construct their nests- 

 on the top of large trees, in the most secluded situations, and leave us at the 

 approach of winter. 



*AsTrR Fusccs, Gmel. 



Common. Nest here about the middle of April. 



ICTINEA PLUMBEA, Gmel. 



I saw a single specimen of this southern kite on Rock River in this State, 

 in July, 1840. It is occasionally met with on the Mississppi River. 



