282 



AMERICAN FORESTRY 



Photograph by G. A. Bailey. 



THE EYRIE OF THE BALD EAGLE 



The broad wings and fanlike tail are adaptations for a soaring flight found 

 also in the Red-tailed, Red-shouldered, Broad-winged and certain other 

 hawks commonly called "hen hawks." Birds of this type seldom, if ever, 

 take poultry, for they feed on small rodents, the bald eagle upon fish. 



easier to distinguish them by their size or their shape 

 than by their colors. Thus the red-tailed, red-shouldered, 

 broad-winged, and rough-legged hawks all have very 

 large, rounded wings and broad, fanlike tails ; the gos- 

 hawks, Cooper's, and sharp-shinned hawks have short, 



n >unded wings and narrow tails ; the marsh hawk and the 

 fish hawk have long, narrow wings and the falcons have 

 very pointed wings. Each type is adapted for a par- 

 ticular feeding habit: the large winged species circle 

 high overhead on watch for their prey and their wings 

 and tails are therefore adapted for soaring; the short 

 winged hawks lie in wait for their prey in the shelter of 

 the foliage and their wings are adapted to sudden bursts 

 of speed from a stationary position; the long narrow 

 winged hawks beat back and forth over the meadow or 

 the water and are on the wing for long periods of time 

 and their wings are adapted for sailing and long con- 



Photograph by H. H. Knight. 



THE PRIDE OF THE HAWK FAMILY 



A Duck hawk chasing a swallow. The falcons have pointed wings like 

 the swallows and arc built for speed. They strike their victims in full 

 flight and sometimes kill for the sport of killing. This is the bird used 

 pre-eminently in the days of falconing. 



A TURKEY VULTURE ALIGHTING 



The huge wing expanse of the vultures enables them to soar for hours 

 without apparently moving their wings and gives them a maiestic appear- 

 ance. On the ground and close by, however, they seem clumsy and their 

 naked heads are almost revolting. 



tinued flights. 1 lie falcons pursue their prey, striking 

 it in full fli.'n und, therefore, have pointed wings adapted 

 for great su. -J. 



All hawks are carnivorous but the diet of some species 

 consists largely of insects, snails, frogs, snakes, lizards 

 or fish and some are scavengers and feed upon decaying 

 animal matter. Their value in controlling small rodents 

 can scarcely be overestimated. 



The eyesight of hawks is extremely keen and their 

 power of focal adjustment is wonderful. From hundreds 

 of feet overhead, they scan the ground and are able to see 

 the tiniest mouse or lizard. In the instant required for 

 them to drop from that height and pounce upon their 



