HAWKS AND EAGLES. 367 



as I have observed them, though never common, to be most 

 numerous near Boston in fall. Occasionally they may be 

 seen traveling, even in pairs, moving leisurely along at some 

 height in the air. They do not sail so much as most of our 

 Hawks, but often perch on a tree to watch for their prey, 

 which they pursue with indescribable speed and skill, and 

 with a rapid beating of the wings. They feed principally on 

 birds (even attacking those of their own size), pursuing them 

 through thick and thin, and following every turn with sur- 

 prising agility, until, overtaking their victim, they thrust their 

 talons into its vitals, causing instant death. They generally 

 begin their repast upon the spot, and do not carry off their 

 prey. They frequent the woods rather less than the Sharp- 

 shinned Hawks, but more often occur in pastures with scat- 

 tered trees, or about open lands. Their movements and 

 haunts seem more or less dependent upon the progress of the 

 smaller birds, whose migrations they often follow. They are 

 somewhat shy of man, but are said to be so bold as to carry 

 off chickens from the farm-yard. In summer, I have seen 

 them among pines, where I have known them to build their 

 nest. 



On consulting other authors, I find the following facts, 

 which I have either not mentioned or never observed. Wilson 

 says of this species : " Sometimes when shot at, and not hurt, 

 he will fly in circles over the sportsman's head, shrieking out 

 with great violence, as if highly irritated. He frequently flies 

 low, skimming a little above the field." 



Samuels says: "The Pigeon Hawk, in alighting on a 

 branch or other object, always descends below the level of it, 

 and rises up ; and usually turns abruptly about, and faces 

 the direction from which it came, as soon as it has struck its 

 perch. This habit is observable in many of the other Hawks. 



" While perching, the tail is often flirted up and down, 

 and the wings are partially opened and shut in a nervous 

 manner, as if the bird were anxious to be off again in the 

 pursuit of game." 



Says Dr. Wood: "This bird, when sitting on a tree, so 

 closely resembles a Pigeon that it will oftentimes deceive the 



