BIRDS OF h'AXSAs. 285 



the feathers. Primaries dusky black, margined terminally more or less dis- 

 tinctly with whitish (sometimes tailing on the edge only); on the inner web is 

 a series of about eight transverse oval spots of white, and generally corre- 

 sponding to these are indications of bluish ashy spots on the outer web. l'e- 

 neath whito, this purest on the throat, which is immaculate; there is generally 

 a more or less strong tinge of fulvous beneath, this always prevalent on the 

 tibia-, and on a distinct collar extending round the nape, interrupting the blue 

 above; the tibire frequently incline to oehraceous rufous. Lateral portions of 

 the head with fine streaks of dusky, these thickest on upper edge of the ear 

 coverts, leaving a distinct whitish superciliary streak, those of opposite sides 

 meet ing on the forehead. Breast, upper part of the abdomen, sides and flanks 

 with longitudinal stripes of umber, each will i a shaft streak of black; on the 

 Hanks their shape is modified, here taking the form of spots running in chain- 

 like series; tibire with narrower and darker streaks; lower tail coverts with nar- 

 row central streaks like those on the tibia-. Frequently there is a strong bluish 

 shade on flanks and lower tail coverts, sometimes replacing the brown of the 

 spots on former, and clouding in similar form the latter. Adult female: Pat- 

 tern of coloration as in the male, but the colors di tie rent. The blue above re- 

 placed by dark umber brown with a plumbeous cast, and showing more or 

 le-., distinct darker shaft lines; these on the head above very broad, giving a 

 -ireaked appearance; white spots on inner webs of primaries more oehraceous 

 than in the male. Tail dark plumbeous brown, shading into blackish toward 

 end, with five rather narrow oehraceous or soiled white bars, the first of which 

 is concealed by the upper coverts, the last terminal. White beneath, less tinged 

 with reddish than in the male, the tibiae not different from the other portions; 

 markings beneath as in the male. Young: Above, plumbeous brown, tinged 

 with fulvous on head, and more or less washed with the same on the rump; fre- 

 quently the feathers of the back, rump, scapulars and wings pass into a reddish 

 tinge at the edge; this color is, however, always prevalent on the head, which 

 is conspicuously streaked with dusky. Tail plumbeous dusky, darker termin- 

 ally, with five regular light bars, those toward the base ashy; as they approach 

 the end becoming more oehraceous; these bars are more continuous and regular 

 than in the adult female, and are even conspicuous on the middle feathers. 

 I'ri maries dusky, passing on edge (terminally) into lighter; spots on the inner 

 webs broader than in the female, and pinkish ochre; outer webs with less con- 

 spicuous corresponding spots of the same. Beneath soft oehraceous; spots as 

 in adult female, but less sharply defined; tibiae not darker than abdomen." 



Stretch of 

 Length. wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill. Cere. 



Male 11.00 23.50 7.00 4.70 1.85 .50 .16 



Female... 12.50 20.00 8.50 5.75 1.40 .55 .20 



Iris dark brown; bill black, blue at base; cere and eyelids 

 greenish yellow; legs and feet yellow; claws black. 



This spirited little Hawk is one of the most common birds of 

 prey within its northern range. It feeds chiefly upon small 

 birds, but often attacks birds much larger than itself (killing 



