40 THE HAWKS AND OWLS OP THE UNITED STATES. 



The following- species of raaiumals and birds were positively identi- 

 fied among the stomach contents: 



MAMMALS. Spinus ifistis. 



Tamias quadrivitfatus. Ammodravim s. savanna. 



Tamias striatus. Zonotriclna I. intermedia, 



Sitjmodon hispidns. SpizeJla movtieola. 



S2)ennopliiI as heecheyi. Spizella jjxsilla. 



Lepus sylruiieiis. Junco hycitialis. 



BIRDS. Mclosptza faseiaia. 



Bonasa umhclhis. Passer doviesiicus. 



Colinus riryinianus. Pipilo erythrophihaJinns. 



Callipepla (jamheli. Helminthophilu celatu lutescens. 



Zenaidura viacroura. Sitta c. avulcata. 



Colaptes auratns. Tnrdus ii. suainsoiri. 



Stnrnella magna neyJecta. Tnrdus a. pallasii. 



Quiaealus qwiscnla. Mernla miyratoria. 



An instance of this Hawk attacking a person was experienced by INfr. 

 0. D. Walcott, in Lewis County, N. Y., August 31, 188(5. Mr. Walcott 

 was in a secluded glen busily engaged in collecting fossils, when an indi- 

 vidual alighted nearby. Almost instantly the bird pit(;hed at him an<l 

 was repelled with a geological hammer. Undaunted it made a second 

 and more vigorous attack on the paleontologist, which was met in turn 

 by more decided action on his part, and resulted in the death of the 

 Hawk from a sweeping blow of tlie hammer. 



The nest is situated iudifterently in the tops of the lofty trees or in 

 the second growth within 10 or 15 feet of the ground ; most authors 

 state that evergreen trees are principally chosen for the site, though 

 the writer does not remember of ever having found one in this situa- 

 tion. The nest resembles that of the crow somewhat in structure and 

 size, but lacks the finish and compact lining found in that of the latter 

 bird. It is often bulky, the sticks comijosing it are ({uite large, and 

 the lining usually is nothing more than the rough <mter bark of the 

 spruce, oak, or hickory. Like the preceding si)ecies, it frequently re- 

 models the old nests of other Hawks, crows, or even those of the squir- 

 rels. The male assists in building the new nest or repairing the old 

 one. When the nest is ajiproached or even when the grove containing 

 it is entered, the Hawks Mill often fly about and scold at the intruder 

 until he leaves. The eggs, which are usually four or five in number, are 

 deposited during the latter part of Ai)ril to the middle of May, accord- 

 ing to latitude. Even in Texas fresh eggs are found about the first of 

 May, though as an exceptional case Mr. Nehrling found young in April. 



The flight of this si)ecies is very rapid, irregular, and usually is car- 

 ried on at no great height from the ground, in all these particulars 

 closely resembling that of the Sharp-shinned Hawk. In the 'Birds of 

 the Northwest' Dr. Cones mentions three birds of this species which he 

 saw at a ranch in Arizona. They were perfectly tame, and at the time 

 of his visit were allowed full liberty to go where they pleased, and al- 

 ways returned to their owner at the sound of his whistle. 



