Large Nests in Trees 



339. Red-shouldered Hawk: Buteo lineatus (Gmel.) 



Adult Upper parts dark brown, slightly marked with rusty 

 brown; shoulders rufous; tail very dark, with white bars; 

 under parts reddish buff, with very fine white bars; in the 

 immature birds the under parts are white, spotted with 

 brownish gray. Length $, 18.30; $,20.35. 



Breeding Range Throughout the Eastern States. 



The nest is much like that of the red-tailed hawk. The 

 eggs are very similar, but smaller and usually more heavily 

 marked, but they vary greatly, some being very faintly washed, 

 while in others the ground colour is almost hidden by the heavy 

 splotches of reddish brown. Size 2. 15 x 1.65. 



The Red-shouldered Hawk is the most common of the larger 

 hawks, and may be found frequenting the damp woods and the 

 vicinity of ponds. 



The breeding season commences in April. 



339a. Florida Red-shouldered Hawk : B. I. alleni Ridgw. 



Breeding Range Texas, Florida, and on the Atlantic coast to 

 South Carolina. 



A southern sub-species of the red-shouldered hawk; it is 

 smaller, the head is lighter, and the under parts are not so dis- 

 tinctly barred. 



The nest is placed in large trees, and is made of twigs, green 

 leaves, and Spanish moss. The eggs resemble those of the pre- 

 ceding species. This is a very common bird in Florida, being 

 found throughout the pine woods and particularly near the rivers 

 and in the cypress swamps, where it may frequently be seen 

 perched on the lower branch of a tree, watching for its prey. It 

 is a remarkably tame bird, and will seize any small rodent or other 

 prey without the slightest regard for the onlooker. I am inclined 

 to believe this southern variety destroys far more birds than does 

 the more northern red-shouldered hawk. 



The breeding season begins in March. 



342. Swainson's Hawk : Buteo swainsoni Bonap. 



Adult $ Upper parts dark brown; feathers margined with 

 rufous; forehead nearly white ; under parts and throat white; 

 126 



