C. H, Merriam Birds of Connecticut. J75 



Family, FALCONID^. 



155. CirCUS CyaneUS, var. Hudsonius (Linne) Schl. Marsh Hawk; 

 Harrier; " Mouse Hawk." 



A tolerably common summer resident, especially about salt marshes, 

 where it breeds, placing its nest on the ground. Arrives in March 

 or April (April 9, 1876, Osborne), remaining into November (Nov. 6). 



I take the following interesting account of the audacity sometimes 

 displayed by this bird, from one of Dr. Wood's articles in the Hart- 

 ford Times : " If once introduced to your young poultry a faithful 

 supervision will be exercised over them to see that none are left to 

 suffer from want of attention or hunger. I know of an instance 

 where the old bird returned daily, and about the same hour, until all 

 were taken. Coming one day when the owner was there, the Hawk 

 evidently intended to convince him that he was sole proprietor of 

 that brood. The chickens having fled into the coop, he made him- 

 self quite at home by alighting on the shed near by and waiting for 

 them to appear. The farmer caught up a stick and threw it at him, 

 which so enraged the bird that it flew about his head, diving at him 

 and squealing at a most furious rate, when he returned again to the 

 shed, scolding vehemently. The farmer remarked that 4 he was the 

 sauciest little thing he ever saw.' In capturing mice partly con- 

 cealed they sometimes ' wake up the wrong passenger' and get cap- 

 tured. An instance of this occurred in East Hartford. A Mouse 

 Hawk was observed sailing over some tall grass, evidently intent on 

 game. Poising himself for a moment by the slow, easy flappings of 

 his wings, he suddenly dove, and soon appeared, ascending slowly 

 and with difficulty. The very singular movements of the Hawk 

 attracted the notice of several persons who were talking together, and 

 they watched every motion with interest. He gradually rose higher 

 and higher, till his strength began to fail, when he began to descend 

 obliquely for a little way, then headlong to the ground. On arriving 

 at the place they found that the Hawk had seized a weasel, that had 

 killed its assailant by eating into the sides of the bird, where he was 

 still at work !" 



" Some years since, a student in the seminary came running up to 

 me in a great hurry, almost out of breath, puffing like a locomotive, 

 and exclaiming, ' Doc doc doctor, can you shoot flying ?' 

 I replied that sometimes I did such things. " Well, I wish you 

 would go out East and shoot a Hawk that has chased me for half a 



