OF NEW ENGLAND. 361 



from an elevation of several hundred feet. They also often 

 peich upon some tree, as in a meadow, and watch for move- 

 ments in the grass. Tliey are somewhat shy and difficult to 

 approach, but tliey are bold enough to carry off poultry, and 

 I have been told of one actually caught in a hen-house. 



(d). I can perceive no essential difference between their 

 cries and those of the next species. 



(B) LiNEATUS. Eed-shoiddered Haivk {or Buzzard). '■'■Hen 

 Hawk." 



(In Massachusetts, a common resident throughout the year.) 



(«). Much less stout than the " Red-tail," and less in aver- 

 age size, the female being rarely or never more than twenty- 

 three inches long. The coloration is variable, but the follow- 

 ing description of a fine mature specimen will answer for 

 otiiers. Above, dark brown. Head, streaked witli rusty and 

 white ; back and rump marked with the same colors. Tail, 

 and quill-feathers, black ; the former tipped, and both barred, 

 with white. Shotdders, rich rufous or pheasant-bi'own. Be- 

 neath, white. Breast, etc., streaked, chiefly with fulvous, with 

 which the belly, etc., is tinged and finely barred. Under tail- 

 coverts, white ; tail the same, with bands of pearly gray. Im- 

 mature birds have the white above and black impure, the 

 rufous wanting or restricted. Beneath, white, streaked (and 

 spotted) with dark brown. "Tail beneath silvery white." 

 Under wing-coverts usually more or less fulvous as in the 

 adult. 



(b). The " lien Hawks" generally build a fresh nest every 

 year, though they may occasionally occupy the same nest " for 

 several seasons," as Mr. Samuels states to be the case. Should 

 their home be destroyed during the season of incubation, they 

 usually repair an old nest for a second brood, as they some- 

 times do for their first. Their nest, when finished, is a large 

 structure of sticks (from eighteen to thirty inches in diameter), 

 and is commonly lined with small branches of hemlock, or 

 with tree-moss. It may be found in rather secluded or unfre- 

 quented woods and pine-groves, particularly those which con- 



