HYPOTRIORCHIS COLUMBARIUS — PIGEON HAWK. 239 



rence in this State. Dr. Kirtland says that it is a permanent 

 resident. A pair have built their nest for several years 

 past near his house at Rockport, and he has observed them 

 during the whole season. They visit his barns and out- 

 houses in pursuit of mice and other small prey. He shot 

 two young specimens, but the old ones are too shy to be 

 approached within shot. They are now (December, 1858,) 

 in very fine dark plumage, the young being much lighter 

 colored. 



Its name of Pigeon Hawk is probably derived from its 

 size, which is that of a pigeon, and not from any habit of 

 making war on that bird. Its food consists of small quad- 

 rupeds, such as mice, and, in all probability, frogs and 

 small snakes. Small birds may also be destroyed by it, 

 but it is too small to harm any of the denizens of the farm 

 yard. 



The head and body of this little hawk are broad and 

 strong. Tarsi and toes slender, but stronger than those of 

 the Sharp Shinne<l Hawk — AoGipiter fusous. Bill short; 

 wings with the second and third quills longest; tail slightly 

 rounded. 



The color of the adult male is of a blueish slate on the 

 upper parts, each feather with a black stripe; under parts 

 yellowish or reddish white, each feather also lined with a 

 blackish stripe. Throat and forehead white; feathers of 

 the legs light reddish. Quills of the wings black, with 

 bands of white on their inner webs, and tipped with whitish. 

 Tail on the upper side blueish gr&y, tipped with white and 

 a broad subterminal band of black, with several smaller 

 bands of the same color towards the rump, and inner webs 

 white; feet and cere yellow; bill blue. 



Less mature specimens have the upper parts brownish 

 black, and the under side of a deeper reddish yellow. The 

 longitudinal stripes brownish, and the tail with four bars 

 of white, while still younger birds have th forehead and 



