252 LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



Lachnosterna quercina, and a few of the Paplil iid>.c and 

 Sphingidce, among beetles and lepidoptera. 



These Hawks begin to mate during the latter part of 

 April, shortly after their arrival. The male has a peculiar 

 call-note with which he attracts the'attention of the female. 

 Perched upon a dead twig in an open situation, he sounds 

 his call, at somewhat irregular intervals, turning himself in 



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every direction as if to catch the response of a female, or, 

 happily, if may be, to see her agreeable presence. He will 

 thus remain for hours together, unless disturbed by intruders. 

 If he meets with no success, he darts off in much haste, and 

 tries his fortune elsewhere. This is usually the case with 

 young males. The old males mostly arrive accompanied by 

 the females, and there is noticeable less formality in court- 

 ship. The partners of past years are almost invariably 

 selected. In the case of the young male, there often seems 

 to be considerable difficulty in making a suitable choice. 

 The chief part of the trouble results from the almost un- 

 impressible character of the female, who is often prone to 

 indulge in a little flirtation, much to the annoyance of her 

 suitor. When once the latter is successful in his suit, her 

 fidelity and affection are immutable and unwavering. The 

 male is now highly elated, and gives expression to the exu- 

 berance of his feelings in the most ridiculous actions in his 

 efforts to please his partner and to strengthen the affection 

 which she most generously lavishes upon him. But two days 

 at the utmost are spent in courtship, in the which, a short 

 tour is taken around the country, diversified by many little 

 scenes which a wedded couple can only know. The honey- 

 moon being over, they now come to settle down to the prosv 

 affairs of every-day life. A proper site must be selected in 

 which to rear a family. Although both birds spend no little 

 time in searching for it, yet the male most generally defers 

 such matters to the judgment of the female. 



These Hawks do not construct a nest, but make use of 

 hollow trees, woodpeckers' nests, and even the old and often 





