774 REPOKT OF STATE GEOLOGIST. 



Length, 19.50-24.00; wing, 12.90-16.00; tail, 8.80-10.50. (Fisher.) 

 RANGE. North America, from Panama and Cuba to Alaska. 

 Breeds from Gulf States northward. Winters from Indiana and Mary- 

 land southward. 



Nest, a collection of sticks, weeds, grass, twigs or moss, on ground, 

 on prairies, marshes, bogs and meadows. Eggs, 3-8; white to pale 

 bluish-white, sometimes faintly spotted with drab-gray, burnt umber 

 or cinnamon; 1.77 by 1.39. 



Head of Marsh Hawk. 



Resident in northern Indiana; winter resident farther south. 

 Breeds. Of rare or irregular occurrence in fall, winter and spring in 

 the southeastern part of State. Its residence is confined more or less 

 closely to the original prairie region. There, in the northern part of 

 the State, it is a common, well known bird, and breeds. It is probable 

 that it also breeds southward along the western side of the State. Mr. 

 Deane reported a nest and six eggs taken, May 19, 1889, at English 

 Lake. Audubon found it nesting in the Kentucky Barrens. It is 

 also reported to breed in the following counties in this State: Knox 

 (Balmer), Fulton (Bunnell), Dekalb (H. W. McBride, Feagler), Allen 

 (Snyder). In Franklin County it has been seen but a few times. I 

 have records of only four specimens. 



They begin their wanderings away from the more open regions of 

 the State in August and are most commonly seen through September, 

 October and November. In spring they are most often observed in 

 March and April. The quantity of food upon the meadows has more 

 to do with the numbers of these birds in southeastern Indiana than 

 the weather changes. They are much more often seen when the 

 meadow mice are abundant. These birds are known as "Harriers'' 

 or "Mouse Hawks." The light blue or gray color of the adult male 

 is not nearly as familiar as the brown and black plumage of the fe- 

 males and immature birds. The white rump, slender form, long tail 

 and long, slender wings will distinguish it. It is thought they often 

 remain paired throughout the year. They begin mating late in March 



