264 LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



ted, unless in close proximity to a thickly-timbered grove, 

 when they alight, but take due care to select a spot in 

 the most unfrequented portion. If so seriously wounded as 

 to preclude flight, they erect themselves upon their stern, 

 and fight with desperation, rather than tamely submit to 

 capture. 



During the spring, when the sexes consort together, they 

 are less silent, and utter a somewhat plaintive cry, which 

 sounds much like ke^-bo-ke^-bo-ke^-bo. These notes are evi- 

 dently indicative of recognition, and are produced by the 

 sexes when they meet. We have often heard them during 

 favorable days in the winter, when a pair has come together 

 after a voluntary separation of several weeks. During the 

 season of mating, these cries are often prolonged for nearly 

 fifteen minutes, and are more energetic and forcible than at 

 any other period. There is, however, a feeling therein, 

 which strikes a sympathetic chord in many a bosom. 



The food of this Hawk consists of small quadrupeds and 

 small birds generally, reptiles, and many insects. The fol- 

 lowing list embraces a part of its voluminous bill of fare : 

 Sciurus cinereus, S. carolincnsis* S. hudsonius, Taniias 

 striatus, Leptis sylvaticus, Piitorius nigrescens, Arvicola 

 Gapperi, Hespcromys Icucopus, Jaciilus hudsonius, Mns 

 mnscuhis* and other rodents ; Ortyx Virginia nus* Sturnella 

 magna, Gallinago \Yilsouii, PJiilohcla minor, QuiscalttS 

 Ver si color, Corvus americanus, C. ossifragns. Mintus 

 carolinensis, PlarporJiyiicJius rnfiis, Turdns migratorius, 

 Cardinalis virgin iau us, Dolichonyx oryzivorns, and many 

 of the smaller Sylvicolidcc and Fringillidtc; among batra- 

 chians, Rana pipiens, R.sylvatica, R. halccina. J\. CJam- 

 itaijs, II\'la versicolor, Plethodon crythronoiiis: and J??(f&- 

 nia sirtalis, Chlorosoma vcrnalf's, Storcria Dekctyi* 

 Ophibohts cximius, and Ncrodia* among reptiles. The 

 following coleopterous, orthopterous, and neuropterous in- 

 sects, are occasionally eaten : J^ucainis dama, Prionus 

 laticollis, P. tmicolor, Stenocorus putator^ E later oculatns* 



