54 RED-SHOULDERED BUZZARD— WINTER FALCON. 



or ferruginous plumage of western individuals ot our eastern 

 species, as illustrated also by the western representatives of the 

 B. borcalis (Red-tail), Archibiiteo lagopiis (Rough-leg) Accipiter 

 Jjisais (Sharp-shin), Circus cyaneus (Marsh Hawk), Falco commiuiis 

 or peregrinus (Duck Hawk), and other species of this famil}', all 

 of which are ordinarily more rufous than the eastern, though only 

 some of these have as yet been separated as distinct species. The 

 so-named B. clcgans, however, is not confined to the Pacific slopes, 

 as dark ferruginous plumaged birds have been occasionally met 

 with as far to the eastward as the neighborhood of Hamilton, 

 Ontario. One such was shot some years since at Baptiste Creek, 

 and is now in the collection of Mr. Mclhvraith of the city just 

 named. This specimen only differs from our ordinary form of 

 Red-shouldered Hawk in more intense coloring, and to give such 

 a distinct specific name would, it seems to me, be ridiculous." 



In East Florida, according to Allen, the Red-shouldered 

 Hawk is very abundant, and b)' far the most numerous species ot 

 the family ; " it is generally smaller and much brighter-colored 

 than New England specimens. The dark line along the shaft 

 of the feathers below, especially on the throat and breast, is very 

 distinct — in this respect, and in the bright colors, greatly resembl- 

 ing the so-called Bideo clegans of Cassin." 



This species nests in nearly every section of Canada. It 

 usually chooses a lofty tree, and builds a large and shallow nest in 

 the uppermost branches. This is constructed of branches, grass, 

 leaves and moss, and is similar in every respect to that of the 

 Red-tail. The eggs are generally four in number, but it is not 

 unusual to find but three. They are of a dull-whitish color, 

 marked irregularly with splashes of brown, and are slightly smaller 

 than those of the Red-tail, measuring 2 inches or a little more in 

 length by about i ">4^ inches in breadth. 



* Since writing tlie aljove I have been so fortunate as to procure from the neighborhood of the 

 Back River, on the Island of Montreal, a remarkably ferruginous colored Hawk of this species. 

 It is tin adult female, and differs very much in tint from any specimens I have ever talien. Indeed 

 I should not have recognized the bird save for the marked and characteristic red shouUlers. This 

 specimen cleaily denotes a passage towards the B. eh-gans of the west, which I am now more 

 convinced than ever is the same specits. 



