THE BIRDS OF WAYNE COUNTY. 279 



observed it was engaged in pursuing Mourning Doves, which were there quite 

 numerous; its method being to remain quietly perched on a limb until one came 

 within range, then giving chase, sometimes for a long distance. The Doves, however, 

 being swift of fl'-ght, almost invariably succeeded in finally eluding their pursuer, for 

 if too closely pressed, they would, while in full flight, suddenly close their wings and 

 drop as if shot into the dense underbrush, whither of course the Hawk would not fol- 

 low. 



SUBGENUS ^ESALON KAUP. 



62 Falco columbarius (LINN.). 

 ) igeon Hawk. 



Apparently rare; added to the list on the strength of a single mounted specimen 

 in the collection of Prof. S. S. Milligan, of Wooster. In regard to this specimen there 

 are unfortunately no data available, beyond the mere fact of its having been shot in 

 the vicinity of the town. A Hawk seen October 16, 1891, on the bottom-lands along 

 the Kill buck, was probably of this species, though its identity was not positively de- 

 termined. 



SUBGENUS TINNUNCULUS VIEILLOT. 



63. Falco sparverius (LINN). 

 American Sparrow Hawk. 



Abundant; with the exception of Buteo lineatus the most numerous Hawk. It is 

 resident, excepting perhaps in very severe winters, but is always more frequent in 

 spring and summer than at other seasons, the migrant portion returning north during 

 the latter part of February or early in March. 



Nidification takes place in April, and the young are hatched usually about the 

 third week in May. The situation chosen for the nest is either a natural cavity or an 

 old Woodpecker's excavation, usually from thirty-five to sixty-five feet from the 

 ground. It is commonly in the dead top of a living tree, though sometimes in a tree 

 wholly dead and even tottering from decay. 



A Sparrow Hawk was captured November 9, 1893, in the building of the Wooster 

 High School, where it had apparently flown for shelter. A bird of this species was 

 observed on April 3, 1894, to pick up and fly away with a snake fully eighteen inches 

 in length, and so heavy as to be with evident difficulty carried. 



SUBFAMILY PANDIONIN/E. OSPREYS. 

 GENUS PANDION SAVIGNY. 



64. Pandion haliaetus carolinensis (GMEL.). 

 American Osprey; Fish Hawk. 



A rare summer visitor ; perhaps in former years morecomman. It has occasion- 

 ally been seen singly or in pairs, fishing on the larger bodies of water, but is not at 

 the present time of regular occurrence. 



