254 LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



The latter is, however, more circumspect and cautious. In 

 the case of a leathered intruder, even though of superior 

 physique, they fight with desperation, and not unfrequcntly 

 triumph in the unequal warfare. Where not interfered with 

 they visit the same locality year after year, but any meddling 

 with the nest or eggs apprises them of anticipated trouble, 

 and they quit the place for another of greater security. 

 The period of incubation varies from fifteen to sixteen days. 

 But a single brood is raised in a season. 



The young are first covered with a white down. They 

 are carefully watched over by their parents and provided 

 with plenty of suitable nourishment. The parents are seldom 

 both absent from the nest at the same time in quest of food. 

 While one is foraging, the other is a vigilant and attentive 

 parent at home. The food of the young consists chieflv of 

 grasshoppers and crickets, and a few caterpillars of the 

 Phal&nidce i at first. But being rapid growers, thev are 

 soon able to feed upon bits of the fiesh of rodents and birds, 

 which their parents tear from the still warm victims which 

 they hold in their talons. At the age of four weeks, they 

 are able to feed themselves ; but at the expiration of a fort- 

 night longer, they quit the nest, and receive their food 

 while perched upon the tree-branches. Wlun about two 

 months old they shift for themselves, but continue, however, 

 to live with their parents. Like the latter, they reject 

 their prev. when it is possessed of an unsavory taint. 



It is asserted by Dr. Brewer that these Hawks were seen 

 to attack ClifV Swallows while incubating in the vicinity of 

 Denysville, Maine, tearing open their well protected nests, 

 and capturing the occupants, for food. We have never 

 witnessed such assaults. 



The cry of this species is said to be similar to that of the 

 European Kestrel, and would doubtless be mistaken for it, 

 but for its more powerful intonation. Audubon affirms 

 that the parents imitate the feeble cries of their young, when 

 the latter have vacated their nest, and are following them. 



