OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. 2<jr> 



/s cornutus. PhyUoptera oblongifolia* Cyrtophylliis 

 CEdipoda Carolina^ CE. uclnilosa, LibcUula 

 triniaciilata. and ^-Eschna heros. When larger prey is 

 captured, instead of carrying it to a convenient perch, par- 

 ticularly if of superior size, it is either deserted, or digested 

 upon the ground. 



This Hawk does not appear to breed in Eastern Pennsyl- 

 vania, although it may do so in the Blue Mountain region. 

 Paired birds, however, have been observed in thick pine- 

 forests, during the months of May and June, which would 

 lead to the presumption that a few remain for this purpose. 

 The nest is placed in a dense pine-forest, or in other secluded 

 woods, especially when they contain swamps, rivulets, or 

 ponds. A pine generally, or if a suitable one does not 

 exist, an oak-tree, is selected. A finished nest is composed, 

 externally, of coarse sticks for a framework, and is lined 

 with moss and soft leaves. It measures from eighteen to 

 twenty-four inches in diameter. At a distance, there is a 

 close resemblance to the Crow's nest, save being more bulky. 

 It is placed at a height varying from fifteen to sixty feet, 

 seldom in an isolated, or young tree. When the nest is ap- 

 proached, the birds utter loud and frequent qries of commin- 

 gled fear and resentment, but never make any determined 

 resistance. The females vary considerably in courage, some 

 leaving the nest on the approach of intruders, others being 

 scarcely forced to leave even when the tree has been severely 

 rapped, while others again cling to the nest, until they are 

 forced to desert it by the uncomfortable approach of danger. 



The young are objects of considerable attention by their 

 parents, who work with the greatest diligence in procuring 

 the necessary articles of food. They possess quite vigorous 

 appetites, and are consequently very rapid in attaining de- 

 velopment. After they have reached maturity, they con- 

 tinue to inhabit similar retreats with their parents. Hut as 

 the cold weather approaches, both parents and young sepa- 

 rate. Their food consists of fragments of the quadrupeds 

 34 



