THE MARSH HAWK. 493 



seven distinct, blackish bands ; remaining feathers barred with ochraceous and 

 blackisli ; underparts ochraceous or bufty, streaked broadly on the breast, and 

 narrowly on the belly with light brown or dusky. I in mature: Similar to adult 

 female but darker, — rich chocolate-brown above, and on sides of neck and cheeks : 

 the underparts darker, cinnamon-rufous, — the belly unmarked. Males show 

 every gradation between immature and adult plumage, and indeed the perfect 

 adult male plumage is rarely found. Adult male, length: 17.50-20.00 (444.5-508) ; 

 wing 13.00-14.00 (330.2-355.6): tail 8.50-10.00 (215.9-254); bill from nostril 

 .65 (16.5). Adult female, length: 19.00-24.00 (482.6-609.6): wing 14.00-16.00 

 {355.6-406.4): tail 9.50-10.50 (241.3-266.7). 



Recognition Marks. — Crow size : white upper tail-coverts make the best 

 field mark : long tail ; marsh-haunting habits. 



Nesting.^A'^Mf; on the ground in marshes, of twigs and dry grasses or moss. 

 Bggs: 3-6. 8 of record, pale bluish white, usuall}- unmarked but sometimes spotted 

 or blotched vvithpale rufous. Av. size, 1.78x1.40 ( 45.2 .x 35.6 ). Season: May 

 i-June 10: one brood. 



General Range. — Xorth .America in general, south to Panama and Cuba. 

 Breeds thruout its Xorth .American range. 



Range in Washington. — Not uncomninn summer resident and migrant thru- 

 out the State, rather more common easterly : casual in winter. 



Authorities. — Circus lindsoniiis, A'ieill. Cooper and Suckley, Rep. Pac. R. 

 R. Surv. XII. pt. TI. i860, p. 150. T. C&S. Rh. D'. Ra. D-'. Ss'. B. E. 



Specimens. — Prov. B. E. 



HUMILITY is the leading characteristic of this "ignoble" bird of prey, 

 whether we regard its chosen paths, its spirit, or the nature of its quarry. 

 Pre-eminently a bird of the meadows and marshes, it usually avoids the woods 

 entirely, and is to be seen coursing over the grass and weed tops with an easy 

 gliding flight. Since it flies at such a low elevation as neither to see nor be 

 seen, over the limits of an entii"e field, it oftenest moves in a huge zigzag course, 

 quartering its territorv like a hunting-dog. Now and then the bird pauses 

 and hovers to make a more careful e.xamination of a suspect, (ir drops sud- 

 denlv into the grass seizing a mi)le i>r cricket, and retiring ti) a convenient 

 spot — a fence-post or a grassy knoll — to dexnur its catch. 



The food of the Marsh Hawk consists entirely of meadow-mice, gophers, 

 garter-snakes, frogs, lizards, grasshoppers and the like. In hunting for 

 gophers the bird flies higher and secures its prey by a headlong dash, pinning 

 the \-ictim to the ground and making sure of the kill before rising. So great 

 is its fondness for mice that one may, with sufticient cover for concealment, 

 succeed in calling tlie Hawk very close by imitating the squeak of a mouse in 

 distress. In winter, when other food is scarce, small birds nm\ be attacked. 

 Occasionallv the Harrier essays nobler game, as a Teal or a Grouse : but he 

 makes a poor fist at it, and usualK' retires \'f)wing ne\'er again to as])ire above 

 his station. 



This Hawk is one of the most unwarv, as it is the most useful of its race. 



