December 



ly found in other species) displayed by a pair 

 of great-footed hawks nesting on Mount Tom, 

 in Massachusetts. The nest was near the top 

 of the mountain, ahnost at the summit of 

 a precipitous cliff two hundred feet in height, 

 and well-nigh inaccessible. When the bold 

 climber approached the nest (which was on a 

 shelving rock, and was merely a slight exca- 

 vation, without any pretence of a structure), 

 although it was as yet entirely empty, the 

 hawks were found lingering about the siX)t, and 

 displayed great anxiety and anger at the intru- 

 sion. The narrator said that thus for weeks 

 before the eggs were laid the spot was carefully 

 guarded by the bold and watchful birds. 



Some of the ^^'ild and magnificent scenes wit- 

 nessed and participated in by those who have 

 made a study of the larger birds of prey in 

 mountainous regions are of thrilling interest, 

 and may well be said to constitute the heroic 

 side of ornithology. 



After selecting the site for the nest — an im- 

 portant matter that often causes very earnest 

 discussion — the structure is usually completed 

 with more or less rapidity according to the de- 

 gree of complexity and elegance, and the eggs 

 immediately thereafter deposited, the incubation 

 321 



