BROAD-WINGED HAWK. 



BUTEO L.4TISSIMUS. 



Char. Above, dull brown, the feathers with paler edges ; tail dusky 

 with four light bars and tipped with white ; below, buffish or tawny, barred 

 and streaked with rufous. Length i6 inches. Young : similar, but tail 

 brownish, with several dusky bars ; below buffy streaked with dusky. 



A'est. In a tree ; loosely built of twigs, and lined with leaves and 

 feathers. 



Eggs. 2-4 ; buthsh, blotched with reddish brown of various shades ; 

 r.90 X 1.55. 



This species was obtained by Wilson, in the vicinity of 

 Philadelphia, in the act of feeding on a meadow-mouse. On 

 being approached, it uttered a whining whistle and flew to 

 another tree, where it was shot. Its great breadth of wing, as 

 well as of the head and body, compared with its length, ap- 

 pears remarkably characteristic. The following day the mate 

 was observed sailing in wide circles, the Avings scarcely moving, 

 and presenting almost a semi-circular outline. These two in- 

 dividuals appear to be all that were known to Wilson of this 



VOL. I. — 4 



