BIRDS OF MINNESOTA. 179 



an individual refuses to leave the southern borders of the 

 State, and remains all winter, incredible as it may seem. I 

 have records of its presence there during each month of the 

 winter. 



Noticing frequent reports of the Marsh Hawk's seizing small 

 birds, I have taken pains to ascertain their local habit in this 

 respect, but I have yet to record the first instance. I have 

 met with individuals in November, long after every trace of 

 either insect or reptilian life had disappeared, when presump- 

 tively, if ever, the urgencies of hunger should have revealed 

 this reserved proclivity, in the presence of several species of 

 sparrows, without preceiving the slightest disposition to inter- 

 fere with them. 



Dr. Hvoslef records the presence of the Marsh Hawk near 

 Lanesboro on the 13th of January, 1886. 



Mr. Lewis found them everywhere from Bigstone to the 

 northern boundaries of the State, and Mr Washburn says in 

 his Red river valley notes, -'Extremely common. Found 

 everywhere in the vicinity of open country. The most abun- 

 dant representative of the family, pairs or single birds being 

 constantly seen hovering over the prairie and over the fields of 

 grain. The immense numbers of frogs which throng the 

 meadows and fields this season must afford them bountiful 

 nourishment.'* 



SPECIFIC CHARACTERS. 



Form long and slender; tarsi long; ruff quite distinct on 

 neck in front; entire upper parts, head and breast pale-bluish 

 cinereous; back of head mixed with dark fulvous; upper tail 

 coverts white; under parts white, with small cordate, or has 

 tate spots of light feruginous; quills brownish-black, with 

 their outer edges tinged with ashy, and a large portion of the 

 inner webs w^hite; tail light cinereous, nearly white on inner 

 webs of feathers, and with obscure transverse bands of brown; 

 under surface silky- white; under wing coverts-white. Young — 

 Entire upper parts dark umber-brown; upper tail coverts 

 white; under parts rufous, with longitudinal stripes of 

 brown on breast and sides; tail reddish brown, with about 

 three wide bands of dark fulvous, paler on the inner webs; 

 tarsi and toes yellow. 



Length ^of female), 19 to 21; wing, 15.50; tail, 10. 



Habitat, North America. 



Note — At certain times of the day, notably mid-forenoon and 

 towards evening, I have rej)eatedly seen the young hawks while 

 yet unable to fly. scattered in different directions from one to 

 three yards from the nest searching for bits of food either 



