12 BIRDS OF PREY. 



Small birds and mice constitute its principal food ; and ac- 

 cording to Wilson, it follows often in the rear of the gregarious 

 birds, such as the Blackbirds and Reedbirds, as well as after 

 the flitting flocks of Pigeons and Robins, picking up the strag- 

 glers, the weak and unguarded, as its legitimate prey. Some- 

 times, when shot at without effect, it will fly in circles around 

 the gunner and utter impatient shrieks, — probably in appre- 

 hension for the safety of the mate, or to communicate a cry 

 of alarm. 



The Pigeon Hawk is a common migrant through New England, 

 Ohio, and southern Ontario. It is always late in migrating, and a 

 few examples have been seen in Massachusetts in midwinter. It 

 breeds sparingly in the northern portions of New England, and the 

 Maritime Provinces of Canada. Its breeding area extends north 

 to the lower fur countries, and in winter it ranges to the Southern 

 States and South America. 



Note. — One example of the European Merlin {Falco regitlus) 

 has been captured off the coast of Greenland. 



