386 Camerox, Swainson's Hawk in Montana. [july 



A flight by any kind of wild eagle or hawk is rarely witnessed, 

 even by those persons, who, by reason of a lifelong familiarity with 

 the raptores in their haunts enjoy special opportunities for seeing 

 it. Of the Red-tailed Buzzard (Butco borealis) which in its second 

 plumage hears a strong resemblance to a Swainson's Hawk of the 

 same age, and does not surpass (even if it equals) the latter in flying 

 powers, Or. A. K. Fisher has written: "On one occasion the 

 writer saw one of these birds stoop at a crow which had just heen 

 shot. During the descent the crow made considerable commotion, 

 which evidently attracted the Hawk, for with a swiftness of flight 

 that would have dime credit to the Duck Hawk, it struck the crow 

 just as it reached the ground." ' The above is very different 

 behavior to the usual conception of this bird. 



III. Plumage. 



The first plumage of Swainson's Hawk has been admirably 

 described by the distinguished ornithologist, Coues and other 

 writers. As regards the subsequent plumage changes, however, 

 it appears to me that much confusion has arisen; nor is this to be 

 wondered at when it is considered that immature birds, both male 

 and female of the same age, exhibit endless differences in coloration. 

 In an authoritative work on birds the following passage occurs: 

 "The Buzzards have usually been placed next the Eagles, with 

 which they have many points in common: but they differ, among 

 other things, in assuming, it is said, the adult plumage after the 

 first moult, whereas it takes several years for the Eagles to attain 

 full plumage." - 



While the above may possibly apply to some species of buzzards, 

 it is certainly incorrect in the case of Archibutco ferruginous, Butco 

 borculia calnrus, ami Butco swainsoni, all of winch I have kept in 

 domestication. To the two former I will again refer, and at present 

 ileal only with the latter. In my opinion, at least four distinct 

 plumage changes can be traced in normal individuals of this species 

 — in other words, the adult dress is assumed at about four and a 



1 Hawks and Owls of the United States, pp. 4S-49. 

 * Birds of The World. Frank H. Knowlton. 1909. 



