Jones — On Birds of Cedar Point. 193 



89. Buteo horealis. — Red-tailed Hawk. 



Tolerably coinnion over the whole region, and often remaining 

 in usual numliers all winter When there are mice and squirrels 

 enoug'h ; otherwise going south to the limit of snow. A pair has 

 regularly nested near the east end of the Cedar Point marshes, and 

 one or both birds have often been seen soaring over the mainland 

 edge of the marsh. I have seen them west of Marblehead, and on 

 North Bass island. None were seen at Pelee island, nor at any 

 of the other large islands. Occasionally several of these large 

 hawks may be seen in company of several species, circling and mov- 

 ing northward in spring. Nests are placed in as inaccessible trees 

 as possible, frequently on the brow of the bluff bordering the rivers. 

 The birds are staunch defenders of the nest, and excellent providers. 



90. Buteo lineattis. — Red-shouldered Hawk. 



Our commonest large hawk, breeding in practically every woods, 

 even to the scattering remnants of big timber. It is present all the 

 year when the winter supply of mice is sufflcient. otherwise it ac- 

 companies tlie Red-tail southward, returning with the warm days of 

 early March. Large flights of this hawk have not been noted in 

 this state, but were occasionally witnessed in Iowa. It is perse- 

 cuted by poultry raisers without cause. The seeming incapacity of 

 the average person for distinguishing one hawk from another — if, 

 indeed, there is any desire to do so — will probably continue to re- 

 sult in the destruction of considerable numbers of this useful hawk 

 ■ because it is more easily approached than its larger and more de- 

 sti'uctive relative, the Red-tail. The nesting time of this hawk is 

 about two weeks later than that of the Red-tail, coming in the last 

 of March. Nests are much more accessible than those of the Red- 

 tail, being built in trees less difficult to climb and nearer the 

 ground. There has been some decrease in numbers in the last de- 

 cade, but the species is still common. 



91. Buteo platyptervs. — Broad-winged Hawk. 



Sometimes common for a day or so during the migrations, but 

 unusual in winter and rather scarce in summer. The considerable 

 flights noted which have been distinct migrations liave come during 

 the last week of April and the first ten days of May. The two most 

 conspicuous of these flights were May 2, 1904. when a large company, 

 associated with six Red-tails, four Red-shoulders, three Rough-legs, 

 three Sparrow, two Marsh, and two Bald Eagles, was watched from 

 the top of a sand-stone knoll two miles south of Oak Point. The 

 Broad-wings disappeared to the northeast, but all of the others re- 

 turned apparently to their nesting places. The Red-tails occasionally 

 screamed, but none of the others was beard. There was a very lit- 



