On the Migration of North American Birds. 87 



It is doubtful whether there are any birds that never migrate du- 

 ring the changes of the season. Hawks and Crows are infinitely 

 more abundant in the north during summer, than in winter ; the 

 greatest number of them retreat southerly; those of the south may 

 at the same time proceed still farther toward the Equinox. Our 

 cardinal Grosbeaks, (Fringilla cardinalis,) are found in New Jersey 

 during summer, and are abundant in Virginia, hence the name of 

 Virginia nightingale and yet during winter very few remain in those 

 states. In the mean time as our number of birds, of this species 

 does not increase, it is very probable that those which have been 

 raised among us, remove still father to the south. As our summer 

 birds, such as the blue Grosbeak, (Fringilla ccerulea,) painted bun- 

 ting, (Fringilla ciris,) and our warblers and fly catchers, abandon 

 us towards the close of autumn, we receive at the same time fresh 

 supplies of feathered hordes from Canada and the northern portions of 

 the United States. Many of these remain in our mild climate of 

 Carolina, during the whole winter. Some of them such as the Fox 

 colored sparrow, [Fringilla iliaca,) the Siskin, (F. Pinus,) the 

 Purple Finch, (F. purpurea,) and the Woodcock, (Scolopax mi- 

 nor.) only approached our southern climates in proportion as they are 

 pursued by the cold. These seem to beg their subsistence on their 

 passage, and linger among us no longer than their necessities re- 

 quire. 



When our winter birds return to their breeding places in the north, 

 they are in the early period of spring replaced by analogous species 

 from the tropics, which resort to South Carolina and principally along 

 our maritime districts, to engage in the affections and cares of re- 

 production. Of the many species of northern hawks, the red shoul- 

 dered, {Falco lineatus, Wilson,) one of the most common species in 

 the United States, is the only one that remains in our low country 

 during summer. In the mean time, several interesting species from 



p I 



the south, arrive among us of gentler and less destructive habits, 

 feeding principally on insects and lizards. The beautiful swallow- 

 tailed hawk, {Falco furcatus,) a Mexican species which seems to be 

 ever on the wing, builds its nest on the highest trees of our forests. 

 The Mississippi Kite, (Falco plumbeus, Gmel.) with similar habits 

 and also feeding whilst on the wing, is found occasionally in groups of 

 four or five, soaring high in the air. This bird is so gentle when not 

 on the wing, that it generally suffers you to walk under the tree with- 

 out being disturbed. The black winged Hawk, (Falco dispar, 



