Buteo Pennsylvanicus ( JFi/sonJ Boxap. 



BROAD-'WINGED BUZZARD. 

 PLATE Xlll. 



Contrary to the general rule among our Birds of Prey — most 

 of which range across the continent — the longitudinal dispersion 

 of the present species is" quite restricted. It inhabits the temper- 

 ate parts of eastern North America, and the only instance of Its 

 occurrence in the Missouri region is recorded by Prof. Snow, who 

 observed it in Kansas. It appears to be particularly numerous 

 along the Atlantic coast, and in New England, where it is one of 

 the most abundant species of the family. Further westward it is 

 met with chiefly in the fall and winter. It has been observed 

 about Washington, D.C., is given as common in Plorida, is known 

 to reach as far south at least as Ecuador, and to reside in Cuba. 

 Audubon, however, gives it as rare south of the middle States, 

 and Dr. Coues does not mention it in his list of the birds of South 

 Carolina. 



In Canada it is not a common species. I have only met 

 a few individuals, most of these in immature plumage ; but the 

 bird is tolerably well represented in most of our collections. Mr. 

 Mcllwraith of Hamilton says : " I have noted extensive migrations 

 of this Hawk in March of different years — as many as twenty or 

 thirty being in view at one time ; they passed along at a consider- 

 able height, moving in circles toward the North-West. Those 

 met with in the woods appeared to be stragglers from the main 

 body." It has been taken about London, Ont., and according to 

 Mr. Passmore a considerable number in the vicinity of Toronto of 

 both young and adult birds. It occurs also in the neighborhood 

 of Montreal, frequenting the Ioav grounds, and Mr. Wm. Couper, 

 naturalist and taxidermist, informs me that the young of this 

 species occurs commonly in the neighborhood of Quebec in the 

 autumn, where they frequent the swamps to the northward of that 

 city. Mr. Couper also states that the adult birds are only seen 



