THE WESTERN RED-TAIL 



111 



Range. Western United States generally, extending eastward to 

 the western part of the plains region. Casually reaching Iowa and 

 Illinois. 



This darker western form of the Red-tailed Hawk is taken occa- 

 sionally in Iowa not only in the western part, but in the eastern as 

 well. 



It has been found nesting in the state, but aside from the color of 

 the birds there is nothing to distinguish it from the other varieties 

 which may be found in the same region. The contrast in color be- 

 tween a typical Red-tail of the eastern type, and this western form, 

 in a well-marked specimen is pronounced, but intergradations seem 

 to be the rule rather than the exception. 



The stomach contents of this form will be found listed with that of 

 the Red-tailed Hawk, the variety being indicated. 



Fig. 39. Map showing the distribution in Iowa of the Western Red-tail. 



Buteo Lacepede, Tableaux Ois., 4, 1799. Type, by tautonymy, Falco buteo 

 Linnaeus. 



Falco borealis Gmelin, Syst. Nat, I, 1, 266, 1788. (Carolina.) 



Buteo calurus Cassin, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sei. Phila., VII, 281, 1855. (Near 

 Fort Webster, Rio Mimbres, New Mexico.) 



Buteo borealis calurus Cassin. 



*Buteo borealis harlani. Keyes, Charles Reuben, The lowan Raptores: 

 The Iowa Ornithologist, Vol. 3, No. 1, p. 3, 1897. 



