BIRDS OF KANSAS. 285 



the feathers. Primaries dusky black, mavKined termiually more or less dis- 

 tinctly with whitish (sometimes fading on the edge only); on the inner web is 

 a series of about eight transverse oval spots of white, and generally corre- 

 sponding to these are indications of bluish ashy spots on the outer web. Be- 

 neath white, this purest on the throat, which is immaculate; there is generally 

 a more or less strong tinge of fulvous beneath, this always prevalent on the 

 tibiae, and on a distinct collar extending round the nape, interrupting the blue 

 above; the tibire frequently incline to ochraceous rufous. Lateral portions of 

 the head with fine streaks of dusky, these thickest on upper edge of the ear 

 coverts, leaving a distinct whitish superciliary streak, those of opposite sides 

 meeting on the forehead. Breast, upper part of the abdomen, sides and flanks 

 with longitudinal stripes of umber, each with a shaft streak of black; on the 

 flanks their shape is modified, here taking the form of spots running in chain- 

 like series; tibice with narrower and darker streaks; lower tail coverts with nar- 

 row central streaks like those on the tibise. Frequently there is a strong bluish 

 shade on flanks and lower tail coverts, sometimes replacing the brown of the 

 spots on former, and clouding in similar form the latter. Adult female: Pat- 

 tern of coloration as in the male, but the colors difi^ereut. The blue above re- 

 placed by dark umber brown with a plumbeous cast, and showing more or 

 less distinct darker shaft lines; these on the head above very broad, giving a 

 streaked appearance; white spots on inner webs of primaries more ochraceous 

 than in the male. Tail dark plumbeous brown, shadijig into blackish toward 

 end, with five rather narrow ochraceous or soiled white bars, the first of which 

 is concealed by the upper coverts, the last terminal. White beneath, less tinged 

 with reddish than in the male, the tibiae not different from the other portions- 

 markings beneath as in the male. Toung: Above, plumbeous brown, tinged 

 with fulvous on head, and more or less washed with the same on the rump; fre- 

 quently the feathers of the back, rump, scapulars and wings pass into a reddish 

 tinge at the edge; this color is, however, always prevalent on the head, which 

 is conspicuously streaked with dusky. Tail plumbeous dusky, darker termin- 

 ally, with five regular light bars, those toward the base ashy; as they approach 

 the end becoming more ochraceous; these bars are more continuous and regular 

 thau in the adult female, and are even conspicuous on the middle feathers 

 Primaries dusky, passing on edge (terminally) into lighter; spots on the inner 

 webs broader than in the female, and pinkish ochre; outer webs with less con- 

 spicuous corresponding spots of the same. Beneath soft ochraceous; spots as 

 m adtilt female, but less sharply defined; tibiae not darker than abdomen." 



Length. 



Male 11.00 



Female... 12.50 



Iris dark brown; bill black, blue at base; cere and eyelids 

 greenish yellow; legs and feet yellow; claws black. 



This spirited little Hawk is one of the most common birds of 

 prey within its northern range. It feeds chiefly upon small 

 birds, but often attacks birds much larger than itself (killing 



