450 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. 



He also describes their flight ns graceful, vigorous, and protracted. 

 It feeds on the wing with gieat ease and dexterity. It ranly, if 

 ever, ahglits on the earth ; and, when wounded, its niovenu-nls on 

 the ground are very awkward. It is nevi-r known to attack birds 

 or qxiadnipcds of any kind, though it will pursue and annoy foxes 

 and crows, and drive tlieni to seek slulter from its attacks. The 

 Mississippi Kite is said to be by no means a shy bird, and may l)e 

 easily approached when alight, yet it usually perches so high that 

 it is not always easy to shoot it. (Brkweu.) 



Gems circus LACKPhinE. 



'• Cirrus Lacepede, Mem. de I'liist. iii, iwiti. 'Md. Typo Faico ri/aiieim LlUN. 



Gen. Cbab. Form very slender, the wines iiml (nil very lontr. tlio liciiil Bniall. hill 

 weak, nnd feet slender. Fare surroundeil by a nill of stilT. eunipaet feutlierH. ns in the 

 Owls. Claws stronk'ly curved, very ai'Ute. Wines viTy lone, the third or fourth quills 

 longest; first shortiT tlinn the si.xth; outer three to (Ive with inner webs sinuated. Tail 

 very lone, about two thirds the wini;; rounded. 



The relationships of this well-niavked genus are to Atcijiitir on 

 the one hand, and Elaiiiin on tiie otiier ; nearest the former, though 

 it is not vei-y intimately aUied to either. 



The species are quite numerous, numbering about twenty, of which 

 only three are American. North America possesses but one (('. 

 hudsmiiim, Linn.), and this with the C. riiicreiis, Yieill., of South 

 America, is closely related stnicturally to C. cf/rt/ifHs of Europe, 

 but is sufliciently distinct. 



The birds of tliis genus frequent oixii, generally marshy, locali- 

 ties, where they course over the meadows, moors, or marshes, with 

 a steady, gliding flight, seldom Happing, in pursuit of their food, 

 which consists mainly of mice, small birds, and rejitiles. Their 

 assault upon their prey is sudden and determined, like the "Swift 

 Hawks," or the species of Acripitcr. 



Circus hudsonius (Ijinn.) 



MAHSH HAWK. 



Popular synonyms. AunM'ii'un Harrier: lUn;:-t;iil''.| IIiiri-i<'r. 

 Fnlin //»,/.s.,„iii.v J.INN. S. N. eil. Iii, mv,. liS. 

 Cin-e.v /iiirfsoiiiii.i ViEll.1.. 1S07.— Cass, in Hairil's B. N. Am. 1SS8, 38.— Baiud. Cat. N. 



Am. B. ISW.No. .'B.— UiDow. Norn. N. Am. B. 1(W1. No. -BO. 

 Ch-oKs ci/atieus hiKlsoniii.i StHLEti. Mus. P.-B, Circi, 1S62, 2.— C0UES.2dCheckLl8t, 

 18i£!,No.489. 



