SWAINSON'S HAWK 231 



ing its home immediately under the nest of these Hawks or in the 

 sides of it. Two such instances came under my personal observation." 



English sparrows and house finches and also mourning doves have 

 been known to build their nests in the lower parts of a Swainson's 

 hawk's nest. Frank Stephens (Bendire, 1892) says: "On one occasion 

 I took a set of eggs of this species, and a set of Icterus cucuUafus 

 nelsoni from a nest pendant from some of the twigs composing the 

 Hawk's nest; another time I found nests of Tyrannus verticalis 

 and Carpodacus 'niexicanus frontalis built in the mass of the Hawk's 

 nest, all occupied at the same time." 



Grinnell and Storer (1924) speak of a tree, regularly used as a 

 perch by a pair of these hawks, that "was tenanted by a pair of 

 Plain Titmouses, with their brood of young, and a pair of Western 

 Bluebirds with a completed set of eggs; while a likely looking hole 

 higher up was being prospected by a pair of Violet-green Swallows." 



But the small neighbors are not always friendly to the good- 

 natured hawks, Mr. Cameron (1913) writes: 



lu one instance during 1899, a pair of Kingbirds had built their nest in 

 some choke cherries immediately below that of the hawk, which was in an 

 ash tree growing amidst them. Yet another Swainson's Hawk, nesting close 

 by, was so unfortunate as to have a pair of Sparrow Hawks {Falco sparverius 

 phalaena) domiciled alongside. Neither of the Swainson's Hawks could flap 

 out of the nesting tree without being immediately attacked by one or other of 

 these aggressive birds — sometimes by all of them together. * * * When ids 

 mate was sitting, I have seen a male Kingbird {Tyrannus tyrannus) alight 

 on the hawk's back and be carried round for several seconds, while he vented 

 his rage by pecking at her. No matter how high the hawk might soar, the 

 small aggressor would keep above her, renewing his attacks at intervals until 

 both were lost to view. The hawk responded to each assault by merely giving 

 four sluggish, downward flaps after which she would sail on motionless wings 

 as before. 



Mr. Munro (1919) says: "In trying to escape from their tormen- 

 tors, they sometimes turn completely over, sideways, in a 'loop the 

 loop' movement. I once saw two Swainson's Buzzards fly towards 

 each other, fasten their claws together and drop several yards, rolling 

 over and over." 



Swainson's hawk is one of the tamest hawks; while perched on a 

 tree, a pole, or a fence post it will often allow a close approach; it 

 will sometimes return to its nest while the observer is standing under 

 the tree. But it is not aggressive and has rarely been known even to 

 threaten to attack an intruder. It appears sluggish and lazy, as it 

 spends much time sitting erect on some convenient perch. It shows 

 a decided preference for some favorite perch or observation point, 

 which it regularly occupies; this may be a dead tree, dead branch, 

 post, stump, or the crest of some cliff or cut bank; such places are 

 well marked by the profusion of droppings, bits of down, and 



