126 



These are the true Buzzards. The Turkey Vulture is called Buzzard 

 in the south, but incorrectly so. The Buzzards lack the dash, speed, and 

 spirit of either the Falcons or the Acdpiters and confine themselves to 

 humbler game and slower, heavier methods of hunting. They are the 

 common high-flying Hawks of summer, can be seen circling for hours 

 high in the air, and are little given to dashing about the thickets like 

 the agile Acdpiters. With the exception of the Broad-winged, their charac- 

 teristic habitat is the wide open, though they usually nest in the forest. 



Economic Status. On the whole their mousing and insectivorous 

 habits more than compensate for some undeniable damage done by indi- 

 viduals of a few species. Though the Buzzards include some of our 

 largest Hawks, the harm they do does not begin to compare with that 

 done by the smaller Acdpiters. Indeed the very largest species of the 

 group, the Rough-legs, are the least harmful. Their principal food is 

 mice, other small mammals, reptiles, and insects and the size of many 

 of these guarantees that the good they do is on a large and important scale. 



337. Red-tailed Hawk. HEN HAWK. FR. LA BUSE A QUEUE ROUSSE. Buteo 

 borealis. L, 20. Plate XIII A. 



Distinctions. Our largest common Hawk; usually to be distinguished from all others 

 by size. The Rough-legged, which is its equal or superior in this respect, can be distin- 

 guished easily by its feathered tarsus. Broad red tail is distinctive of the adult. Juveniles 

 vary only slightly from the Red-shouldered Hawk of equal age but are larger. Except for 

 this the best distinction between them is the lack of any indication in the Red-tailed of 

 reddish on the shoulders or upper wing-coverts and the presence of a roughly circular, 

 unspotted, area on the breast. 



Field Marks. Adults can be recognized specifically in life by the red tail, and all ages 

 generically by their characteristic Buzzard outline of short wings and broad, ample, round 

 tail. Juveniles are likely to be mistaken only for the Red-shouldered; from these the 

 white breast and the voice are probably the most reliable guides. The call of the Red- 

 shouldered is identical with some of the Blue Jay calls. The notes of the Red-tailed are 

 similar, but different enough in quality and execution to be recognizable after having once 

 been heard. 



Nesting. High up in trees in the larger woodland patches. 



Distribution. Eastern North America north to near the tree limit. Breeds in Canada 

 wherever found. 



S UBSPECIES. The Red-tailed Hawk is represented in Canada by several subspecies , 

 but only the typical form, the Eastern Red-tail, is to be looked for in the east. 



The Red-tailed is a shy and a cautious Hawk. It is more often seen 

 sailing in great circles high overhead than close by. It requires larger and 

 wilder woodland patches than the Red-shouldered for its headquarters 

 in summer, though like that species it hunts in the surrounding open. 



Economic Status. This large, fine bird occupies a debatable position 

 of usefulness and so much depends upon local conditions and the personal 

 characteristics of individuals that no hard and fast conclusion respecting 

 it can be laid down. Of 473 stomach examinations, 54 contained poultry 

 or game-birds; 51, other birds; 278, mice; 131, other mammals; 37, batra- 

 chians or reptiles; 47, insects; 8, crawfish; 1, centipede; and 13, offal. 

 Of the "other mammals" 16 were rabbits or grey squirrels. This gives us 

 about 121 food items against and 464 for the species, and there are 48 that 

 can be regarded as neutral besides the 13 of offal that can only be listed 

 as favourable. It should also be borne in mind in studying these food 

 contents that those birds coming closest to the farmyard are the most 



