36 UPLAND AND MEADOW. 



considered, the eight species that I have mentioned may 

 be called "meditative" hawks, in contradistinction to 

 the three small falcons, which may be classed as " im- 

 petuous." The latter, to which reference will be made 

 hereafter, are visitors only to the banks of Poaetquis- 

 sings Creek, but the meditative hawks are characteristic 

 wi"nter features of the stream. Many of these birds are 

 migratory, and those that are resident are busy with 

 their nests, and haunt the thick woods, except from No- 

 vember to March, and it is then only that we find thenc. 

 perched in the tall trees along the creek, or sailing for 

 hours over the broad expanse of meadows far beneath 

 them. 



As I walk along the frozen creek I mark them as 

 they appear in the course of my progress down the 

 stream, and generally recognize the several species by 

 the positions they assume. A "red-tail" sits with more 

 extended neck, and is more alert, than the less common 

 broad - winged buzzard ; which hawk sits in what my 

 Bon calls a " scrouged - up " manner. As I draw near, 

 these birds become alarmed and take flight, the red- 

 tailed hawk when I am within a hundred yards of it ; 

 but its broad-winged cousin is willing to take a some- 

 what greater risk, and I can cover half the distance be- 

 fore it, too, sails away, usually with an impatient scream. 

 Quite differently, too, do these birds start from their 

 perches. The wary "red-tail" tumbles off the limb, 

 and flaps in a hurried and evidently frightened manner, 

 while the other, with deliberation, literally sails away, 

 moving the wings as little as possible. 



Thus we see that the broad- winged hawk is not only 



