364 LAND-BIRDS AND GAME-BIRDS 
bits,” squirrels, minks, rarely rats or mice, snakes (especially 
the striped kind or garter-snake), frogs, grouse, quail, and 
poultry. They do not, however, often catch our so-called par- 
tridges, owing to the latter’s rapid flight and rather persistent 
occupation of the woods, and it is not uncommon to find these 
game-birds in groves where the ‘‘ Hen Hawks” have their nest. 
It may be said that the natural home of the ‘*‘ Hen Hawks” 
is the woods (in our climate, particularly those of old pines, 
and such as are somewhat swampy), but it must be added that 
during the day they are much away from home. Their favorite 
hunting-grounds are open places, especially farms and mead- 
ows, but there are few kinds of land over which they do not 
fly, including even our smaller cities. Occasionally they may 
be seen in roads or perched on roadsides. 
Towards man the ‘‘ Hen Hawks” are naturally shy, though 
it is generally easy to approach them when gorged, or at other 
times to do so in a vehicle, or on horse-back. By this latter 
means, I have actually passed under one. They frequently 
leave their food when approached, instead of carrying it off in 
the manner of many hawks. Like other barbarians, they re- 
fuse to show signs of suffering, or to allow their spirit to 
become subdued. When shot and mortally wounded, they 
usually sail on unconcernedly while their strength lasts, until 
obliged to fall. If not dead, they turn upon their rump, 
and fight till the last, like others of their tribe. Their eyes 
gleam savagely, and they defend themselves with both bill and 
talons. With these latter they can inflict severe wounds, if 
incautiously treated, and they sometimes seize a stick with 
such tenacity that I have seen one carried half a mile through 
his persistent grasp. I have never known one to be tamed, 
but, on the contrary, they sometimes die from refusing to eat. 
This is in accordance with their natural pride, and their fond- 
ness for a wild life. 
In autumn and winter the ‘* Hen Hawks” lead a solitary life, 
but in summer, and more often spring, they may be seen in 
pairs. They then hunt together, or sail high in circles, as if 
to remove themselves from the common crowd of birds. Un- 
