OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. 227 



female is thus engaged, the male not uncommonly divides a 

 part of his booty with her, especially when he has been so 

 fortunate as to come into possession of a juicy frog, or of 

 some other great delicacy. 



When the nest is disturbed by human intruders, the occu- 

 pant leaves very suddenly, starts oft' in pursuit of her mate, 

 but quickly returns accompanied by the latter, when the 

 two endeavor by threatening actions to deter the invader. 

 The male is remarkably shy, seldom uttering a single cry, 

 while the female is quite venturesome, circling close round 

 the head of the intruder, and evincing her extreme anxiety 

 by the most vociferous clamors. 



The young are objects of the most thoughtful attention by 

 their parents, who vigorously apply themselves to their 

 maintenance. Their extreme voracity taxes severely the 

 time of the latter. It is seldom that both parents are absent 

 from home .at the same time, save when the young are so 

 artfully concealed that there is little apprehension of danger. 

 Ordinarily, but one parent is abroad at a time in quest of 

 food, the other remaining in the immediate vicinity to guard 

 the nest and inmates from the depredations of enemies. 

 The food of the young consists of the flesh of frogs, and also 

 of small birds and insects, during their early existence. But, 

 as they become older, and are able to help themselves in a 

 measure, less care is manifested by the parents. The food 

 is now administered in its entirety, the requisite division be- 

 ing effected by the young birds themselves. When able to 

 quit the nest and seek their own sustenance, they do not 

 separate like the young of most species, but keep together 

 tor a time, and hunt in company. In this respect, they are 

 slightly gregarious, and differ from all other species of 

 hawks. During the breeding-season, the sexes shovvconsid- 

 erable affection and fidelity towards each other, which is 

 continued to be displayed as long as their cares and pleas- 

 ures are mutually shared. 



The eggs of this species vary both in sixc and markings. 



