I02 MEMOIRS OF THE NUTTALL ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB 



150 [339] Buteo lineatus Hneatus (Gmel.). 

 Red-shouldered Hawk ; " Hen Hawk." 

 Permanent resident, common in summer, uncommon in winter. 

 Eggs: April 3 to June 6. 



At times this hawk, Hke the other hawks, migrates in large companies. One 

 such was recorded by DamselP at Amesbury on September 18, 1886, when a 

 "flock of about 300" passed. 



The scream of this bird is so exactly imitated by the Blue Jay that one is 

 often uncertain which species is present. The hawk sailing in circles is con- 

 stantly changing the locality from which the sounds come, while the Blue Jay 

 often screams from the same point in the woods. The latter bird is very apt to 

 betray its identity by lapsing into its customary jay jay cry. 



A Red-shouldered Hawk, sailing in circles, lowered its legs until they hung 

 straight down, voided, and then drew the legs back again under the tail. 



An adult female of this species was caught by a farmer at Ipswich on Janu- 

 ary 20, 1913, in a trap baited with a dead hen. Although this confirmed the farm- 

 er's contention that the hawk was a veritable " Hen Hawk," there is reason to 

 believe that it was attracted by carrion and the case does not prove that it would 

 attack living poultry. 



The large size of this hawk, its broad wings, and short tail (which is not 

 rufous in color), its habit of soaring in circles, as well as its cry so often imitated 

 by the Blue Jay, serve to identify it. It is to be remembered, however, that the 

 immature Red-tailed Hawk lacks the rufous tail color. Only under very favor- 

 able circumstances can the red shoulders of lineatus be distinguished. 



151 [342] Buteo swainsoni Bonap. 



Swainson's Hawk. 



Accidental visitor from the West. 



I am glad to be able to report here a fourth record of this hawk for Essex 

 County. On October 28, 1917, my son and I while motoring near Candlewood 

 Corner, Ipswich, saw a bird flying across the fields toward us that we at first 

 thought was a Crow. It crossed the road within seventy-five yards and although 

 it was nearly black it was evident from its form that it was not a Crow but a small 



1 Allen, G. M. Auk, vol. 30, p. 25, 1913. 



