THE PIGEON HAWK 16? 



Range. North America; breeding chiefly north of the United 

 States ; only on rare occasions in Iowa. 



The Pigeon Hawk is not a common species in Iowa at any season 

 of the year. It is noted, however, during the spring and fall migra- 

 tions, and has also been found nesting in the state. 



R. M. Anderson in his "Birds of Iowa" speaks of having shot a 

 Pigeon Hawk December 18, 1894, in Winnebago county, and records 

 it as seen by Currier in winter in Lee county. 



The habits of this small falcon are much like those of its larger 

 relative, the Duck Hawk, in manner of flight, fearlessness in strikjng 

 game birds even larger than itself, and also in nesting. 



Eggs have been taken from open nests resembling those of the 

 Crow, from cavities in hollow trees, and from ledges of rock. 



Professor Lynds Jones found a nest of the Pigeon Hawk in a hole 

 in a linden tree, near Grinnell, April 28, in which were four eggs. In 

 the Coe College Museum there is a set of two eggs of this species col- 

 lected by Mr. George H. Berry in Wild-cat Grove, seven miles north- 

 east of Marion, April 27, 1908. They were taken from a hole in the 

 side of a bass-wood tree twenty-five feet from the ground. 



These eggs are quite evenly covered with cinnamon-brown spots on 

 a buffy background, one egg appearing somewhat lighter and less 

 rich in coloring than the other. 



The average size of eggs of this falcon is 1.60 by 1.25 inches. 



On one occasion in the early fall while watching at close range a 

 flock of Least Sandpipers, my observation of the waders was cut 

 short by their sudden departure. On looking about to determine what 

 had startled them, I discovered a Pigeon Hawk close by on top of a 

 muskrat house. His sudden arrival had escaped my eye, but not the 

 alert eyes of the Sandpipers. 



Writers generally agree on the large numbers of small birds cap- 

 tured by this little Falcon, tame doves, and formerly the Passenger 

 Pigeon being included among the victims. 



Of the fifty-six stomachs examined and reported upon by Dr. A. 

 K. Fisher, 41 contained small birds, 16 contained insects, and only 2 

 contained poultry. 



