396 



THE MARSH HAWK. 



member of the agrarian police. A farmer would have as just cause to be 

 indignant at some interloper who shoots a Marsh Hawk on his premises as at 

 another who breaks up his gopher traps. 



As the breeding season approaches, the male Harrier, feeling the impulse 

 of the ennobling passion, mounts aloft and performs some astonishing aerial 

 evolutions for the delectation of his mate. He soars about at a great height 

 screaming like a Falcon, or he suddenly lets go and comes tumbling out of 



Taken in Morgan County. 



Photo by the Author. 



ON THE LOOKOUT FOR SIR HAWK. 



space head over heels, only to pull up at a safe distance from the ground 

 and listen to the admiring shrieks of his spouse. "At other times," says 

 Mr. Ernest E. Thompson, "he flies across the marsh in a course which 

 would outline a gigantic saw, each of the descending parts done in a somer- 

 sault and accompanied by the screeching notes, which form the only love song 

 within the range of his limited vocal powers." This operation is not neces- 

 sary in order to win his mate, for he is supposed to have won her "for keeps," 

 but after all, it is well enough to remind her now and then that he is a very 

 good fellow, for she is a size larger than he and a little exacting in matters of 

 courtesy. 



