Red- Shouldered Haivk. 259 



quently found in the complement. Of 105 sets reported 

 to Mr. F. H. Carpenter as found in New England, 42 

 were of two eggs each, and 63 were of three eggs each. 

 Colonel Gross states that the eggs in a set number three or 

 four. The eggs also vary greatly in color, from a dull 

 white to bluish -white, or rarely greenish-white ground, 

 variously and irregularly marked with shades of brown, 

 drab, and purple, though most commonly as with weak 

 solutions of these colors. Sometimes the eggs are un- 

 marked. 



EED-SHOULDEEED HAWK. 



This mild-spirited congener of the red-tailed hawk has 

 generally received less notice than its character merits, 

 owing to the similarity of its habits and appearance to 

 those of the fiercer species last sketched. Seen at a dis- 

 tance these two buzzards closely resemble each other, but 

 the red-shouldered hawk is less robust in outline, and 

 consequently seems the smaller, yet it is only a trifle less 

 in length and expanse of wing. In many localities it is 

 more common than the red-tailed hawk, while in other 

 regions apparently as well adapted to its needs, it seems 

 to be less common. Doubtless the two species are often 

 confounded by careless or superficial observers, and one 

 may receive praise or censure deserved by the other. 

 Since the red-tailed buzzard begins its nesting while the 

 trees are yet bare, it generally attracts more attention to 

 its habits than the red-shouldered hawk, which often 

 delays its nidification until the unfolding leaves conceal 

 its operations. It is probable that more individuals of 

 this species migrate from this section in the fall, and that 

 more of the red-tailed hawks remain through the winter, 

 though in the east the red-shouldered hawk is commonly 

 known as the "winter hawk." According to Mr. Thomas 

 Mcllwraith, in his "Birds of Ontario," the red-tailed buz- 

 zard is resident in that Province, while the red-shouldered 

 buzzard has not been observed during the winter. Colonel 

 Goss, in his "Birds of Kansas," says that both species are 

 resident in that State. 



