THE RED-TAILED HAWK 



Fig-. 34. The Red-tailed Hawk. 



Fig. 35. The Red-tailed Hawk, 

 another view. 



Genus Buteo Lacepede. 

 Subgenus Butso 



9. BUTEO BOREALIS BOREALIS (Gmelin). 337. 



Red-tailed Hawk. Eastern Red-tail. 

 Big Chicken-Hawk. Hen-Hawk. 



Field Characters. A hawk of large size, dark above, whitish be- 

 low. In adult birds the tail rusty red above, lighter below. The red 

 of the tail showing from beneath where the bird soars toward the sun. 

 Cry, a high-pitched penetrating keeeee keeeeee. 



Immature birds as large as adults, but with several dark bands on 

 the tail and no red anywhere. 



Description. Above blackish with irregular markings of whitish, 

 tawny and rusty. Below, white or buffy white. Throat clear white 

 or with a few dark streaks. Upper breast at sides dusty. Lower 

 breast and belly marked more or less with dark streaks and spots. 



