112 



THE HAWKS AND OWLS OF THE UNITED STATES. 



In California the Pigeon Hawk generally has a full complement of 

 eggs by the middle of April, while in the mountains of Colorado, in 

 Labrador, and farther north, the eggs are not usually all deposited 

 before the 1st of June. The complement of eggs varies from four to six ; 

 five being the most common, and six the rarest number. Often when 

 the nest is approached both birds will dart at the intruder, circling 

 within a few feet of his head, at the same time uttering shrill, chatter- 

 ing screams. 



This Falcon, with the exception possibly of the Broad- winged Hawk, 

 is the least shy of all of our diurnal birds of prey, and often may be ap- 

 proached within a few rods. It frequents the more open country and 

 edges of woods and is common along the shores of large bodies of water. 

 In September and October during the fall migrations -large numbers 

 pass along certain of the sea beaches. The writer was once informed 

 by his lamented friend William L. Breese that on several occasions he 

 had seen hundreds of these little Hawks during tlie course of a day 

 migrating along the meadows and outer beaches on the south side of 

 Long Island and ifew Jersey coast. 



The flight is very rapid, and resembles that of the wild pigeon quite 

 closely; nor does the similarity end here, for while sitting on a tree the 

 general poise is that of a pigeon in repose, and siiecimeus have been 

 mistaken and shot tor the latter bird. 



DESCRIPTION. 



Middle tail feathers crossed by not more than four blackish or five 

 light bands. Above, bluish gray or brownish; below, whitish, buffy, or 

 light rusty, streaked with brownish or dusky. The Black Merlin is 

 much darker : Above, plain brown ; beloAV, heavily marked with dusky. 



Length: 10 to 13.25 inches (254 to 336'"'") ; extent, 23.75 to 26.50 

 inches (604 to 673"^™); wing, 7.40 to 8.60 inches (188 to 218'"'"); 

 tail, 4.65 to 5.50 inches (118 to 139'"'")- 



Table showing the results of examinations of 56 stomachs of the Pigeon Hatvk 

 (Falco columbarius). 



