BIRDS OF PREY. Oeprey 



This Hawk is a consumer of beetles and other large in- 

 sects, mice, etc. ; it kills small birds, and sometimes Pigeons, 

 but not preferably. 



In addition to the six Hawks described there are five 

 other species belonging casually, either as migrants or resi- 

 dents, to the same range, but they are rare and not easy for 

 the novice to identify. They are the 



Goshawk : A rare winter visitor. 



Broad-winged Hawk : An uncommon resident. 



Bough-legged Hawk : Rare winter resident. 



Duck Hawk : A migrant along the coast. Rare summer resident in 



Hudson Highlands. 

 Pigeon Hawk : A common migrant along coast. 



American Osprey : Pandion haliaetus* 



Fish Hawk. 



Plate 60. 



Length : About 24 inches ; female larger. 



Male and Female : Plain dark brown above, the tail having a white 



tip and a band of dark brown. Head, neck, and lower parts 



white ; breast plain, or sometimes spotted faintly with brown. 



Bill bluish black ; feet grayish. 

 Note : " Phew, phew, p-hew 1 " 

 Season : April to November. 

 Breeds : From Florida to Labrador. 

 Nest : In trees near or over water ; a bulky nest on the plan of the 



Eagle's. 

 Eggs: 2-3, variable in size and colour ; average, 2^ x If inches. 

 Range : North America, from Hudson's Bay and Alaska, south to the 



West Indies and northern South America. 



The familiar, brown. Eagle-like bird, with very large 

 talons, which is seen hovering over Sound, creek, and river, 

 particularly in spring and early fall. The Fish Hawk, as it 

 is popularly called, follows schools of fish, and, dashing from 

 considerable height, seizes its prey with its stout claws. If 

 the fish is small, it is immediately swallowed ; if it is large 

 (and it will secure occasionally shad, bass, etc., weighing 



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