HAWKS AND EAGLES. 361 



their family, for the most part remaining near the ground, 

 contenting themselves with such humble prey as mice, snakes, 

 or frogs. They may usually be seen flying low over meadows 

 and fields, or wandering about the shores of some pond ; but 

 they also visit farms, and even molest poultry. Sometimes 

 they beat about for their game ; at other times they perch 

 upon some fence to digest their last meal or to watch for an- 

 other. They generally fly irregularly and leisurely, with in- 

 termittent sailing, up or down, to the right or left. But occa- 

 sionally they mount higher, and sail about with ease ; in au- 

 tumn, when following the migrations of smaller birds, they 

 even pursue these on wing, and often with success. Custom- 

 arily, however, they drop upon their prey on the ground, and, 

 after hurriedly poising, fall with a very certain aim, immedi- 

 ately rising, should they fail, but, if successful, feeding upon 

 the spot. Their motions are characterized by ease and light- 

 ness, but their wings seem too long for rapid motion. The 

 Marsh Hawks generally leave New England in autumn, and 

 return in April. In summer they are among the commonest 

 of our Hawks. 



d. Their love-note is an indescribable scream, which is not, 

 however, wholly characteristic, though distinct from any 

 scream of the Buzzards. Their winter notes, says Audubon, 

 " are sharp, and sound like the syllables pee^ ^jee, pee^ the first 

 slightly pronounced, the last louder, much prolonged, and 

 ending plaintively." 



11. FALCO. 



A, RUSTICOLUS GYRFALCO.* Gyrfalcoii, Gerfalcon, {Jer- 

 falcon.^ In Massachusetts, an extremely rare winter visitor, f 



a. About twenty-four inches long. Everywhere white, 

 much marked with dark brown or black. Of several races, 

 variety islandicus is said to be the only one which occurs in 

 New England. In this form, white is especially predominant 

 on the head. 



* Given as IP. gyrfalco in the origi- tumn and winter visitor, chiefly to 

 nal edition. — W. B. northern New England. — W. B. 



t An ii-regular and rather rare au- 



