FALCONID^ — THE FALCONS. 289 



from Panama. Mr. Gosse states that it is the most common bird of this 

 family in Jamaica, where it is a resident, and where it breeds. Mr. Lem- 

 beye and Dr. Gundlach both include it in their lists of the birds of Cuba, 

 and the latter marks it as breeding in that island. It has been observed in 

 Florida by Mr. Allen, and is not uncommon in all the New England States, 

 where it is resident throughout the year. In the Southern States it is most 

 abundant in the winter months. 



Specimens of this bird are recorded in the government reports as obtained 

 from the Yellowstone, from the Pecos Ptiver in Texas, and from Fort Fill- 

 more in New Mexico. Mr. Dresser found it common throughout all of Texas 

 in all seasons of the year, breeding in all parts, but preferring the heavily 

 timbered country. He obtained its eggs from Systerdale and from the Me- 

 dina Eiver. 



This Hawk is a strong and powerful bird, with a firm, steady, and pro- 

 tracted flight, frequently at a great elevation, and often moving quite a 

 distance without any apparent motion of the wings. It is said to gen- 

 erally descend upon its prey from some fixed position, as the branch of a 

 tree, and rarely to dart upon it when flying. It is a cautious bird, and 

 rarely ventures near a house for poultry except when the dwelling is isolated 

 and near its own haunts. It preys chiefly upon small quadrupeds, small 

 birds, and reptiles. It usually darts upon a snake from the branch of a tree, 

 and seizing it near the head bears it writhing through the air. In the val- 

 ley of the Saskatchewan, Eichardson states that it watches for the marmots, 

 and when one imprudently ventures from its burrow, darts upon it, bears it 

 a short distance off, and tears it to pieces. 



As they fly, these birds utter a very peculiar and unpleasantly harsh cry 

 or scream, which they repeat very frequently. Capt. Blakiston observed 

 this at the Pted Eiver settlement, and speaks of it as the Squealing Hawk. 



Though said to be thus generally cautious in exposing itself to danger in 

 approaching a poultry-yard, it is not always thus cautious. jNIr. Downes 

 mentions an instance where one of these birds entered a garden in Halifax 

 to pounce upon a tame Crow, and was captured alive by the owner. 



Mr. Audubon states that after rearing their young they no longer remain 

 mated, but separate and evince rather jealous hostility to each other than 

 good-will. When one has taken any prey in sight of another, the latter will 

 pursue and struggle with it for possession of the plunder. In these fights 

 they scream vociferously while struggling for possession. 



In the Southern States these Hawks begin to build in February ; in the 

 Middle States, from Marcli the 24th to April 15th ; and in New England 

 usually from April to May. They construct a large nest, composed exter- 

 nally of coarse sticks and twigs, and lined with dried grasses, moss, and 

 leaves, built for the most part in the fork of a lofty tree. The eggs are 

 usually four in number. 



Mr. Augustus Fowler of Danvers, who is familiar with the habits of this 



VOL. III. 37 



