272 PIGEON HAWK. 



Adu/t female. Quite similar to the male in general coloration but overwaslicd above, to a greater or less extent, with- 

 brown, and the markings below are broader and the tints darker. 



Younff. Diifers from the adult female in having but little asliy above. The wings are barred on the inner webs with 

 reddish-white and there is a line of the same color extending over the eye. The tail is dark-brown, tipped with white, and 

 barred with reddish. 



Youmj of thf year. Show no traces of asliy above, and the top of the Iiead is overwashed with reddish, especially on 

 the forehead and occijiut. The inner webs of the wings are barred with deep red and spotted on the outer with it, while 

 the markings below are a little broader. 



Nestlm(js. Are at first covered witli a yellowish down, then gradually assume the plumage la.st described. Bill, black, 

 blue at base, cere and feet, yellow, iris brown, in all stages. 



OBSERVATIONS. 



There is some variation in specimens of the same age, especially below, where the brown markings occasionally broad- 

 en out into transverse bands on tlie sides. The under tail coverts are sometimes immaculate. Known from sparverius by 

 the sujierior size and absence of any cinnamon-red, and from communis by the inferior size, absence of any dark markings 

 on the sides of the head, and in having the two outer quills incised on the inner webs. Distributed, as a suuuiier resident, 

 throughout North America, north of latitude 42^, and in winter, south of this point, mto South America and the West 

 Indies. 



DIMENSIONS. 



Average measurements of male specimens from Eastern United States. Length, 11-50; stretch, 23-75; wing, 7-75; tail, 

 S-15; bill, -55; tai-sus, 1-40. Longest specimen, 12-00; greatest extent of wing, 24-00; longest wing, S'OO; tail, 5-25; bill, 

 -fiO; tarsus, 1-50. Sl'.ortest specimen, H'OO; smallest extent of wing, 23-25; shortest wing, 7-50; tail, 5- 10; bill, -50; tarsus,. 

 1-30. 



Average measurements of female specimens from Eastern United States. Length, 12-00; stretch, 25-25; wing, 8-25; 

 tail, 5-50; bill, -70; tarsus, 1-45. Longest specimen, 12-50; greatest extent of wing, 26-50; longest wing, 8-50; tail, 5-70; 

 bill, -80; tarsus, 1-55. Shortest specimen, 11-25; smallest extent of wing, 24"00; shortest wing, 8-00; tail, 5-10; bill, -fiO; 

 tarsus, 1-35. 



DESCRIPTION OF NESTS AND EGGS. 



Nests, placed on rocky cliffs, on the branches, or in holes, of trees. They are composed of sticks and grass, lined with 

 feathei-s. 



Etjrjs, four to six in number, rather oval or splierical in form, varying from whitish to deep reddish-brown in color, 

 spotted, dotted, anil blotched, irregularly, and usually very thickly, with reddish-brown of varying shades. ■ Dimensioas 

 from 1-25x1-75 to l-30x 1-80. 



HABITS. 



The Pigeon Hawks may be met with almost anywhere in New EngL^nd during the au- 

 tumnal migrations which occur in September and October. Not that they are particularly 

 abundant then but their appearance is not uncommon, and they may often be seen dashing 

 through the woodlands, coursing over the meadows, or hunting along the shore. When on 

 the wing in search of prey, they are full of energy, but Falcon like, when satiated, will 

 sit for hours silent and apathetic, regardless of the multitudinous avian life that is con- 

 stantly sweeping by them within easy reach. What a lesson is here presented to the 

 sportsman who destroys until he is weary, often leaving his victims to decay where they 

 fall! 



As the Pigeon Hawks usually spend the greater portion of their time in sections re- 

 mote from man, or rather, in sections where every urchin is not armed with a cheap breech- 

 loader, they are not very shy when passing us and, in the unsettled portions of the South, 

 they are very tame; thus I found two or three pairs on the northen end of Key West, where 

 there are no houses, that were so unsuspicous that I walked within twenty-five feet of them, 

 before they attempted to fly. 



