124 FALCONID^ : HAWKS. 



variability in size and color, but they are usually more 

 highly-colored than those of the Red-tail, just as the 

 general plumage of the bird is, the pale or nearly white 

 varieties being rare. In size they range from 2.00 to 

 2.25 in length by about 1.75 in breadth ; the usual 

 number is three or four, sometimes five, and even six 

 have been found in the nest in one instance. 



SWAINSON'S BUZZARD. 



BUTEO SWAINSONI Bp. 



Chars. Three outer quills emarginate on outer web. Extremely 

 variable in color, but usually showing a broad dark pectoral band 

 contrasted with light surroundings and numerous (8-12) narrow 

 dark tail bars. A smaller bird than the foregoing; female about 

 20.00; wing, 16.00; tail, 8.50; male less; not so stoutly built; wings 

 and tail relatively longer ; chiefly Western North America, also 

 Canada and Massachusetts. A western species, of casual occur- 

 rence in our country, thus far in two known instances. 



Mr. Wm. Brewster sums up the evidence of this rare 

 visitor as follows : " The claim of the above-named 

 species to be regarded as a bird of New England has 

 hitherto rested solely upon a specimen in melanistic 

 plumage (formerly specifically separated as^'. insignaUis) 

 shot a few years since at Salem, Mass., and now in the 

 Museum of the Peabody Academy (as recorded by Allen, 

 Bull. Essex Inst., x, 1878, p. 22). It is with pleasure 

 that I can now announce the capture of a second indi- 

 vidual at Wayland, Mass., on or about September 12, 

 1876. Through the kindness of Mr. Arthur Smith, of 

 Brookline, to whom it was originally sent in the flesh, 

 this bird has recently come into my possession. It is a 



