SWAINSON HAWK 
342. Buteo swainsom. 20 in. 
This species has the greatest variety of plumages 
of any of our hawks. It has only three outer prima- 
ries notched near the tips, while the two last species, 
which are the only ones that can be confused with it, 
have four. Adults in the light phase have a band of 
rich chestnut across the breast. Adults in the dark 
phase are uniform blackish-brown, with some rusty 
edgings and with thighs more or less rusty. Young 
birds are buffy below, with elongated blackish spots. 
Its harmless character can be understood from the 
fact that it is no unusual sight to find other birds, 
such as Arkansas Kingbird and Bullock Oriole, nest- 
ing in the same tree; and the first mentioned species 
goes even further than this, sometimes constructing 
its home in the sides of the nests of the hawks. 
Nest.—Of sticks and twigs, either in trees or on the 
ground on rocky ledges; eggs white, spotted with 
brown. (2.20x 1.70). 
Range.—Western N. A., breeding from Texas to the 
Arctie regions; east to Illinois and west to the Pacific. 
