260 Sketches of Some Common Birds. 



The red-shouldered hawk is partial to the borders of 

 woods and to isolated trees in fields and meadows for its 

 post of observation, and in such situations it can often be 

 seen "waiting for something to turn up." In thickly 

 settled regions it has learned to be wary and to eye with 

 suspicion the approaching lords of creation, though in the 

 thicker woods it frequently alights within reach of favor- 

 able observation when unaware of one's presence. This 

 hawk- is more noisy than the red-tail, having a similar cry, 

 but often repeating it many times at 'short intervals, 

 especially when harassed by a group of braggart crows. 

 In early spring its cries, uttered as it sails low over the tree 

 tops, vibrate through its wooded quarters, and are regular 

 features of woodland life, always awakening the notice 

 of the lover of birds. These shrill vernal calls are usually 

 the first intimations to the strolling bird-gazer that he has 

 reached the domains of a pair of these birds, and looking 

 upward he sees that 



" O'erhead the balanced hen-hawk slides, 

 Twinned in the river's heaven below." 



The blue jays are adepts at imitating these cries, executing 

 them with less force and a greater degree of harshness 

 than the real authors, though their version is enough like 

 the original to deceive the inexperienced ear of the novice. 

 These cries are the love notes of the rough troubadour, 

 and are seldom heard after incubation begins, the silence 

 of this hawk after that time being in marked contrast to 

 its noisy demonstrations during the mating and breeding 

 time. After the young are hatched, however, the cries 

 are again heard, the quarters of a family of old and young 

 birds being readily determined by their cries. 



Wooded swamps, groves inhabited by squirrels, and 

 patches of low timber, are regular resorts of the red- 

 shouldered hawk. It is a bountiful provider for the wants 

 of its young. Quoting again from "J. M. W.," Norwich, 

 Conn, we find these statements of interest: "Every one who 

 has climbed to nests of young buteos nearly fledged must 

 have been astonished at the great quantity of these young 

 rodents supplied by the parent birds. In one nest of red- 

 tailed hawks I have seen portions of nine red squirrels, 



