THE PIGEON HA WK. 449 



Following them in their migrations, columbarius subsists 

 mostly on the smaller birds, capturing them on the wing. 

 His northward movements are in April, and his southward in 

 September and October. Ensconced away in the bushes, 

 you may witness his deadly chase, as with astonishing speed, 

 darting to the right and left, he pursues some Thrush, Spar- 

 row, or Blackbird, or even a bird near his own size; striking 

 his claws into its vitals, on overtaking it, and devouring it 

 near the place of capture. He does not hover like the Spar- 

 row Hawk. Always taking his prey alive, he prefers an 

 open pasture or grove for his swift pursuit. Here he may 

 sit on his perch quietly awaiting his victim, and if he change 

 place, flying up a little when about to alight, he will turn 

 about and face his late site or route, and presently dropping 

 down, skim the ground almost as low as a Buzzard; not 

 in the same sailing manner, however, but with frequent 

 and nervous strokes of the wings. When, occasionally, he 

 does sail, it is in an uneasy, tipping style, which distin- 

 guishes him almost as readily as does the mottled appear- 

 ance under his wings. When he is satiated with his prey, 

 his destructiveness ceases; and those birds which are usually 

 his victims may disport themselves around him in perfect 

 safety. 



The Pigeon Hawk's general breeding place is to the north- 

 ward. The nest, which may be on a rock, but more com- 

 monly in the hollow of a tree or in its branches, is made of 

 sticks and grasses; sometimes strips of bark are added, the 

 lining being of moss or feathers. The eggs, 4 or 5, some 1.65 

 X 1.30, are sometimes quite roundish, and again even elon- 

 gate-oval. u Coloration ranges from a nearly uniform deep, 

 rich brown (chestnut or burnt sienna), to whitish or white 

 only, marked with a few indistinct dots of dull grayish or 

 drab." (Stearns.) 

 29 



