301. Circus hudsonius 
MARSH HAWK. 19 and 22 inches 
Male. Above bluish gray; rump white; long tail, with brown 
bands showing from below, tipped with white. Below whitish, 
faintly marked with brown. Female and Immature. Above 
brown ; rump white; tailand wings barred with brown. Below 
whitish, heavily streaked with brown. Common in meadows and 
open fields ; feeds on insects, mice and snakes. 
Note. ‘Ordinarily a silent bird, but when the nest is approached 
a harsh, loud, repeated cac, cac, cac is uttered.” 
Nest. On ground, loosely built, in bushy swamps and wet pas- 
TUTES. >. 
Breeds. Throughout New England. Common in southern part, 
occasionally remains through the winter. 
IOI 
