December 
ly found in other species) displayed by a pair 
of great-footed hawks nesting on Mount Tom, 
in Massachusetts. ‘The nest was near the top 
of the mountain, almost at the summit of 
a precipitous cliff two hundred feet in height, 
and well-nigh inaccessible. When the bold 
climber approached the nest (which was on a 
shelving rock, and was merely a slight exca- 
vation, without any pretence of a structure), 
although it was as yet entirely empty, the 
hawks were found lingering about the spot, and 
displayed great anxiety and anger at the intru- 
sion. ‘The narrator said that thus for weeks 
before the eggs were laid the spot was carefully 
guarded by the bold and watchful birds. 
Some of the wild and magnificent scenes wit- 
nessed and participated in by those who have 
made a study of the larger birds of prey in 
mountainous regions are of thrilling interest, 
and may well be said to constitute the heroic 
side of ornithology. 
After selecting the site for the nest—an im- 
portant matter that often causes very earnest 
discussion—the structure is usually completed 
with more or less rapidity according to the de- 
gree of complexity and elegance, and the eggs 
immediately thereafter deposited, the incubation 
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