BiHDs OK Indiana. 



781 



licngtli, 1!>.0(>-2:).(I0; wing, 1:^.50-17.7:); tail, S. 50-10. 50. (Kislici). 



Range. — Eastern North America, west to Great Plains; from 

 Mexico to North Fjabrador, Manitoba and Northwest Territory, 

 lireeds almost throughout its range. 



Nest, in high trees, of sticks, twigs, grass, etc. Eggs, 2-4; white, 

 ol'ten irregularly and variously marked with different shades of brown; 

 2.36 by 1.80. 



Common resident; more numerous in southern two-thirds of the 

 State, in most places, where it is the most abundant l^uteo. In the 

 region adjacent to Chicago all hnt a few have been destroyofl. They 



Head of Iled-tailod Hawk. Natural size. 



are slightly migratory, perhaps more some years than others, as they 

 are more numerous during the migratory periods, August, September, 

 ajid March and April. 



'J'his is the best known of the larger hawks, being in most places 

 commonly known as "Hen Hawk," or Chicken Hawk. This name is a 

 misnomer. Occasionally an individual of depraved nature becomes a 

 (bieken-eater, but as a rule it is exceptional for them to attack poultiy. 

 In an examination of twenty stomachs, made by me a few years ago, 

 there were but two that had eaten chickens. One contained (he re- 

 mains of a Bobwhite; the remainder, principally mice and small 

 rodents. 



In his report on "Th( awks and Owls of the United States," Dr. 

 I*'isber gives the results of the examination of 5fi2 stomachs of this 



