THE MARSH HAWK 185 



and in such cases the nests are frequently bulky affairs. The usual number 

 of eggs laid by this species is from four to six, rarely more. 



Mr. John Swinburne writes me that in Arizona the usual number of eggs 

 found by him is two Or three. I found a neat near the Laguna, !) miles from 

 Tucson, Arizona, with two newly hatched young and an egg about to hatch. 

 I also took a much incubated set of three eggs near Fort Lapwai, Idaho, 

 June 15, 1871. As an offset to sucli small sets, I had the good fortune to 

 find one of eight, near Walla Walla, Washington, on May 8, 1882. The nc-t 

 was placed in a pasture, close to a small stream, alongside of and concealed by 

 a tall bunch of rye grass. It was principally constructed of dry grasses care- 

 lessly arranged. The eggs were in different stages of incubation, five con- 

 tained large embryos that required rotting out, one was quite fresh, and two 

 nearly so. 



The earliest date on which any of the eggs were taken among the series 

 of this species in the U. S. National Museum collection is April 29, 1837, 

 collected by Audubon, near Galveston, Texas. On the Pacific coast the Marsh 

 Hawk lays in the beginning of April, and even at Camp Harney, Oregon, I 

 have taken their eggs on April 29, 1877. 



In Connecticut they nest usually between May 15 and 25. Mr. John N. 

 Clark, of Saybrook, writes me: "I observe that the female sits very closely 

 and the male procures the food with great diligence. I have located the nests 

 often by watching him. The moment he appears in sight the female utters 

 shrill cries from the nest, and leaves it as he approaches, rising in the air to 

 meet him, and seizing with dexterity the morsel that he drops in her talons. She 

 then retires to the nest, to feed or distribute it to the young. I have examined 

 the stomachs of several specimens, and found meadow mice, their favorite food. 

 One I examined contained not less than eleven, another nine, and nothing else. 

 I have rarely seen them disturb domestic fowls. I have reared these birds from 

 the nest, to study their habits, and have found them very interesting, though 

 never becoming very gentle pets. They showed a decided fondness for frogs 

 and mice of all kinds, and they rarely declined fish." 



Mr. J. W. Preston, of Baxter, Iowa, writes me: "The nests of the Marsh 

 Hawk are usually built of weeds and grass, but I remember seeing one placed 

 on a tussock over water, which was bulky and well made. The foundation 

 consisted of plum twigs and small branches. It was thick, the depression 

 deep, and was well lined with grass and down. They nest here sometimes on 

 tiie highest ridges. Their call note is a peevish scream, not unlike that of the 

 Red-tailed Hawk, though not so strong. A peculiar clucking or cackling, in a 

 short jerky way, is also uttered at times, while ascending in the air. This seems 

 to be done for diversion. The male assists in incubation, and I have seen him 

 reluctant to abandon the nest to its mate. The earliest date on which I have 

 found these birds nesting here was April 20. In a set of eight found by me 

 the eggs ranged from fresh to well incubated. This nest was placed in a low 

 hazel thicket, on a high ridge." 



