102 



FALCONID.E : HAWKS. 



be seen quartering low over the ground in search of 

 such quarry. Though it has great sweep of wing, in 

 proportion to its bulk of body, it seems to lack the 

 address, if not also the courage, to cope with creatures 

 possessing good resources for self-preservation or self- 

 defence. It is particularly attached to low, watery 

 places, where mice and reptiles most abound; and in 

 further evidence of humility, the nest is placed on 

 the ground, an exceptional manner of nidification 



FIG. 20. MARSH HAWK. 



among Hawks. The nest is about a foot in diameter, 

 and three inches in depth, consisting of twigs and 

 grasses, usually without special lining. The eggs, which 

 are laid in May, are four or five in number, measuring 

 (on an average, for they vary much) about 1.85 X 1.45. 

 They are pale greenish-white, without bold marking, 

 usually almost uniform, but sometimes with dull obscure 

 spots and blotches of very pale brown, with still paler 

 neutral tint or lavender shell-spots. 



The Harrier is one of the common New England 

 Hawks, present during the greater part of the year if 



