-27-2 LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



high in the atmosphere, beyond the possible reach of danger. 

 The peculiar circular movements which so eminently char- 

 acterize the Buteos have no counterpart in them. Such 

 pleasure-excursions are never indulged in. The life of this 

 species is rather more prosaic in its character. The satisfac- 

 tion of a most vigorous appetite, when its apparently slug- 

 gish movements are taken into consideration, gives it but- 

 little time if any for such recreations. In extreme winter 

 weather, its forsakes low meadows and marshy grounds, 

 for the shelter of woods, and feasts upon the small birds 

 which are driven to those coverts. 



This Hawk, when it arrives, produces a loud squealing 

 noise, which Wilson very inaptly compared to the >w neigh- 

 ing of a young colt," but with a more savage intonation. 

 It is rather difficult to express by syllables. When the 

 sexes meet, a slight variation of the same cry, pronounced 

 more mildly and in a somewhat lower key, is emitted, which 

 is one of recognition. A similar sound is uttered during the 

 spring when mating is about to begin, which is repeated in 

 loud and rapid succession for a brief spell, when a silence 

 ensues to be broken again by a similar repetition. The 

 male is decidedly more demonstrative than the female. 



The food of this species consists of small quadrupeds, 

 lizards, serpents, frogs, and insects, generally ; birds are 

 seldom attacked, and then merely the most defenceless. 

 When it captures its prey, it iscarried to its perch, which may 

 be a tree, stump, or fence-rail. When these are not conven- 

 ient, it does not hesitate to feed upon the bare ground, or in 

 the midst of a dense growth of sedges or grasses. Its food 

 consists of the following : Tropidolepis undulatus, Dia- 

 dop/iis piiuctatus* Ophibolns cxiniius, l\c^i)ia leberis* 

 Chloroso)iia -cernalis, Store ri a DckavL Leptophis astivus, 

 Raiia claniitans, R. halcchia* I\. palnstrh, 7\. sv/vattca, 

 and Hyla rers/co/or, among reptiles and batrachians ; 

 Scittnis carolitiensis* S. /uidsouius. 7\iu'as xtriaft/s, 

 Ar-cicola Gappcri. A. r/pari'a. Hesperomys leUcopus, //. 



