HARLAN'S HAWK 



Measurements. Similar to the Eastern Red-tail. 



113 



Range. Southeastern United States, casually coming to Ne- 

 braska, Iowa and Illinois. Breeds in Iowa. 



This handsome species is not common in the state but is occasion- 

 ally taken, and has been found breeding. At seasons of the year 

 when the Rough-legged hawks are with us, dark individuals of the 

 Rough-leg may be taken for Marian's Hawks. In the hand, however, 

 the completely feathered tarsi of the Rough-leg at once differen- 

 tiates it from Harlan's Hawk .which has the major part of the 

 tarsi bare. 



There is no distinguishable difference in the food or nesting habits 

 of this subspecies. It intergrades with the Red-tail, and though 

 well-marked individuals suggest a distinct species, no definite line of 

 differentiation separating the two and leaving no specimens unde- 

 termined, can be drawn. 



The report on the stomach contents of this form will be found 

 listed with that of the Red-tailed Hawk, the variety being indicated. 



Fig. 41. Map showing the distribution in Iowa of Harlan's Hawk. 



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

 Linnaeus. 



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



Falco harlani Audubon, Birds Amer. (folio), I, pi. 86, 1830. (Near St. 

 Francisville, Louisiana.) 



Buteo borealis harlani (Audubon). 



