125 



rare resident species. Never abundant except occasionally during 

 migrations. 



On February 18, 1879, Dr. Clinton L. Bagg saw a Sparrow Hawk at 

 the foot of 110th street, at the East River in New York City, where it 

 seemed to be chasing the House Sparrows {Passer domesticus). It 

 appeared to be in nowise frightened at the numerous workmen about 

 the docks, and flew about amongst them, and out over the river, fre- 

 quently perching on some iron pillars on shore. 



Dimensions. — Measurements of No. 1,355, ^ ad. April 25, 1877, 

 Highland Falls, N. Y., E. A. M. : length, 10-42; stretch, 22-38; wing, 

 7-37; tail, 4-85; culraen, measured from cere, -45; gape, .70; tarsus, 

 1-40; middle toe and claw, 1-21. 



139. Buteo borealis (G^weZin). Red-tailed Hawk. A perma- 

 nent resident; abundant; breeds. 



This handsome Buzzard feeds on mice, moles and shrews, which it 

 finds in meadows. Though it likes to sit on a hay-pole and swoop 

 down upon such small fry, it is often quite formidable, carrying off 

 fowls from the barn-yards. It is able to capture even the Ruffed 

 Grouse (Bonasa innhellus). I once saw a Red-tail fly a quarter of a 

 mile, bearing a full grown Ruffed Grouse in its claws. I followed, and 

 fired a shot at it, which caused it to let its prey drop to the ground 

 from the tree where it was feeding ; it afterwards appeared to regret 

 leaving the Grouse, which was quite neatly picked, and had one side 

 of the breast partly eaten. 



Mice, shrews and moles are especially abundant upon the salt 

 marshes which join numerous so-called islands in the Hudson River to 

 the main-land. Upon the edges of these marshes and on the hay-poles, 

 our three Buzzard Hawks {Buteo boreaJis, B. lineatus and B. pennsyl- 

 vanicus) are ever present during the hard times in winter, hungry and 

 shy, and ever ready to pounce upon the first unlucky quadruped that 

 makes its appearance on the scene. It is pleasant to see them swoop 

 upwards from the ground and alight upon a haystack, closing their 

 wings instantly as their strong claws grasp the top of the pole, and 

 striking at once a perfect balance, without a wing-stroke or a sudden 

 movement. 



Dimensions. — Measurements of adult female : length, 21-90; stretch, 

 51-00; wing, 14-75; tail, 9-00; culmen, 1-07; cere, -54; gape, 180; 

 tarsus, 3-34; middle toe, 160; its claw, -88. 



140. Buteo lineatus (Gmelin). Red-shouldered Hawk. A 

 permanent resident; abundant; breeds. 



141. Buteo pennsylvanicus (iriVson). Broad-winged Hawk. 

 Our most abundant Hawk. A permanent resident, but only occasional 

 in winter; breeds. 



Migrants begin coming early in March, and, ere long, large flocks 



