380 LAND-BIRDS. 



times to do so in a vehicle, or on horseback. On a horse, I 

 have actually passed under one. They frequently leave their 

 food when approached, instead of carrying it off in the man- 

 ner of many Hawks. Like other barbarians, they refuse to 

 show signs of suffering, or to allow their spirit to become sub- 

 dued. When shot and mortally wounded, they usually sail 

 on unconcernedly while their strength lasts, until obliged to 

 fall. If not dead, they turn upon their rump, and fight till 

 the last, like others of their tribe. Their eyes gleam savagely, 

 and they defend themselves with both bill and talons. With 

 these latter, if incautiously treated, they can inflict severe 

 wounds, and they sometimes seize a stick with such tenacity 

 that I have seen one carried half a mile through his persistent 

 grasp. I have never known one to be tamed, but, on the con- 

 trary, they sometimes die from refusing to eat. This is in 

 accordance with their natural pride, and their fondness for a 

 wild life. 



In autumn and winter the " Hen Hawks " lead a solitary life, 

 but in summer, and more often spring, they may be seen in 

 pairs. They then hunt together, or sail high in circles, as if 

 to remove themselves from the common crowd of birds. Un- 

 less very seriously molested, they build their nest every year 

 in nearly the same place. The females vary as regards cour- 

 age or prudence, some leaving their nest on hearing one's ap- 

 proach, others waiting till the tree is rapped, and others until 

 one has begun to climb or has even ascended several feet. I 

 have never known them to attack man, v>^hen thus disturbed. 

 The young are fed for several weeks after being hatched, and 

 are often noisy. 



d. The screams of our two " Hen Hawks " do not materi- 

 ally differ, if at all.* They are slightly prolonged, and are 

 usually repeated several times at once, as kee-o^ kee-o^ kee-o. 

 They are frequently heard, especially in spring, but are ex- 

 actly imitated by the Blue Jays. 



* This is incorrect, for the respective Red-tailed Hawk never utters the hee-o 

 cries of the two species are really all or anything at all closely resembling 

 perfectly distinct and diagnostic. The it. — W. B. 



