230 LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



it into forbidden grounds, for which it often pays the dearest 

 penalty. Its pertness and destrnctiveness render it an object 

 of utter detestation, and the hands of the husbandman 

 are ever raised to mete out to it summary and condign 

 punishment. 



The food of this species consists mainly of small birds, 

 but quadrupeds, reptiles, and insects, are eaten in great 

 numbers. The following list embraces a portion of its bill 

 of fare : Rana lialecina^ R. svhat/ca. Pseudotriton nibcr, 

 'Plethodon erythronotus, Rana clamitans, Arvicola Gap- 

 peri, Hesperomys leucopus, Jaculns /unison ins. Mus mtis- 

 ciihis* Melospiza mclodia. Turd its migratorius^ Si alia 

 stalls* Harporhynchus ru/us, ^\fimns carolinensis*, Ortyx 

 virg'iniamts*. and many other vertebrates ; Cyrtophyllus con- 

 rmv/y. PJn'lloptcra oblongifolla* (Edipoda Carolina, Cal- 

 optcinis femur-rubrum^ Gryllotalpa borcalis, .Lncauns 

 dama, Passalus corn-utus, Orthosoma nnicolor. Lacluws- 

 tcrna qucrcina, Tele a polvp/icnins. Platvsaniia cecropia, 

 Callosamia -proniethea. and many of the larger Papilioii- 

 idic and Sphin<>'idcc. 



The notes of this Hawk are loud and shrill, and are 

 mainly uttered during the breeding-period. Whilst foraging 

 for food, it is perfectly silent. But, when surprised whilst 

 engaged in feeding, it is occasionally heard to utter a sharp 

 piercing 1 shriek, which is seemingly indicative of commin- 

 gled alarm and indignation. 



Mating commences during the last week of April, or the 

 beginning of May. It is at this time that the males are 

 mostly heard. Perched upon an exposed tree-branch, on 

 the borders of a grove, or in the midst of an open field, it 

 utters its shrill call-notes, which reverberate through the 

 woods. These sounds are produced at irregular intervals, 

 the author turning the head in every direction, eagerly intent 

 on descrying, in the distance, the object of his search'. \\V 

 have known him to remain in the same position for nearly 

 an hour, unless disturbed. At the expiration of this period 



