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SWAINSON HAWK 

 342. Buteo swainsoni. 20 in. 



This species has the greatest variety of plumages 

 of any of our hawks. It has only three outer prima- 

 ries notched near the tips, while the two last species, 

 which are the only ones that can be confused with it, 

 have four. Adults in the light phase have a band of 

 I rich chestnut across the breast. Adults in the dark 

 phase are uniform blackish-brown, with some rusty 

 I edgings and with thighs more or less rusty. Young 

 birds are buffy below, with elongated blackish spots. 

 I Its harmless character can be understood from the 

 I fact that it is no unusual sight to find other birds. 

 I such as Arkansas Kingbird and Bullock Oriole, nest- 

 ing in the same tree; and the first mentioned species 

 I goes even further than this, sometimes constructing 

 I its home in the sides of the nests of the hawks. 



Nest. Of sticks and twigs, either in trees or on the 

 I ground on rocky ledges; eggs white, spotted with 

 brown. (220x1.70), 



Range. Western N. A., breeding from Texas to the 

 Arctic regions; east to Illinois and west to the Pacific. 



