364 LAND-BIRDS AND GAME-BIRDS 



bits," squirrels, minks, rarely rats or mice, snaJces (especially 

 the striped kind or garter-snake), frogs, grouse, quail, and 

 poultry. They do not, however, often catch our so-called par- 

 tridges, owing to the latter's rapid flight and rather persistent 

 occupation of the woods, and it is not uncommon to find these 

 game-birds in groves where the " Hen Hawks" have their nest. 



It may be said that the natural home of the " Hen Hawks " 

 is the woods (in our climate, particularly those of old pines, 

 and such as are somewhat swamp} 7 ), but it must be added that 

 during the day they are much away from home. Their favorite 

 hunting-grounds are open places, especially farms and mead- 

 ows, but there are few kinds of land over which they do not 

 fly, including even our smaller cities. Occasionally they may 

 be seen in roads or perched on roadsides. 



Towards man the " Hen Hawks " are naturally shy, though 

 it is generally eas}" to approach them when gorged, or at other 

 times to do so in a vehicle, or on horse-back. By this latter 

 means, I have actually passed under one. They frequently 

 leave their food when approached, instead of carrying it off in 

 the manner of many hawks. Like other barbarians, they re- 

 fuse to show signs of suffering, or to allow their spirit to 

 become subdued, when shot and mortally wounded, they 

 usually sail on unconcernedly while their strength lasts, until 

 obliged to fall. If not dead, they turn upon their rump, 

 and fight till the last, like others of their tribe. Their eyes 

 gleam savagely, and they defend themselves with both bill and 

 talons. With these latter they can inflict severe wounds, if 

 incautiously treated, and they sometimes seize a stick with 

 such tenacity that I have seen one carried half a mile through 

 his persistent grasp. I have never known one to be tamed, 

 but, on the contrary, they sometimes die from refusing to eat. 

 This is in accordance with their natural pride, and their fond- 

 ness for a wild life. 



In autumn and winter the " Hen Hawks" lead a solita^ life, 

 but in summer, and more often spring, they may be seen in 

 pairs. They then hunt together, or sail high i'n circles, as if 

 to remove themselves from the common crowd of birds. Un- 



