126 BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 



female, who now seeks safety in flight as distant as her wings will carry 

 her. I have seen this hawk sail without a quiver of its pinions, until 

 within seizing distance of its quarry, and suddenly throw its wings back, 

 when with a clash they came together, and the vicinity was filled with 

 white feathers, floating peacefully through the air. I secured both birds, 

 and found the entire side of the Ptarmigan ripped open. 



" On another occasion I shot a fine individual as it rose from a small 

 clump of willow, to which I had approached unobserved by the bird. 

 It had been devouring a Ptarmigan, which it had secured but a little 

 while before. The flesh of the bird was yet warm, though nearly all 

 devoured. The Goshawk was only wing-tipped with shot and proved 

 to be quite vicious, seizing my boot with its talons and striving to grasp 

 my hand with its beak. The bird was so quick that I had to call the 

 assistance of a native to detach the claws from my clothing. Upon 

 skinning the bird I found its crop to be full of the flesh of the bird it 

 was eating when I flushed it. I am under the impression that the Gos- 

 hawk is not able to fly with the weight of a Ptarmigan in its claws. It' 

 is a resident of the interior and comes to the coast quite early in spring." 



GENUS BUTEO* CUVIER 

 Buteo borealis (GMEL.). 



Red-tailed Hawk. 



DESCRIPTION (Plate 15). 



The adult is easily recognized by the red tail. The tail in young birds is usually 

 ashy-brown, with about ten darker bands. Tail in both old and young is generally 



* Birds of this genius, especially borealis and Uneatus are the large hawks which we see, particularly in 

 the late fall, winter and early spring, frequenting grassy fields, meadows, swamps, etc. These birds are 

 the common ' hen hawks " or " chicken hawks 1 ' as they are usually called ; but such names are highly 

 inappropriate, as a very small percentage of their food is poultry. Three species (especially borealis and 

 Uneatus) are common residents in Pennsylvania. In order to give a clear idea of the great benefits these 

 " hen hawks " render the agriculturist and fruit grower, the following extracts, relating to the stomach 

 contents of over four hundred, captured during all seasons of the year. In various parts of the United 

 States, are taken from Dr. Fisher's report (Food of hawks and owls, by Dr. A. K. Fisher, assistant or- 

 nithologist. Annual report of U. S. Dept. Agr. , Washington, D. C., 1887); Red-tailed Hawk (B. borea- 

 lis): Of 311 stomachs examined, 29 contained poultry or game birds; 35 other birds; 203, mice; 55, other 

 mammals: 9, batrachians or reptiles; 24. insects; 3, craw-fish; 4. offal; and 29 were empty. Twohundred 

 and ten examined by the division contained 270 mice. Red-shouldered Hawk (B. Uneatus): Of 102 stom- 

 achs examined, 1 contained poultry; 5, other birds; 61, mice; 20. other mammals; 15, reptiles or batrachi- 

 ans: 40. insects; 7, spiders; 3, crawfish; 1, earthworm; 1, offal; 1, catfish; and 3 were empty. Broad- 

 winged Hawk (JB. latiasimus): Of 22 stomachs examined. 2 contained small birds; 3, mice; 5. other mam- 

 mals; 8 reptiles or batrachians; 10, insects; and 1, earthworms. The mammals mentioned here refer 

 mostly to mice, shrew, moles, some few squirrels and a few other kinds of quadrupeds. These hawks in 

 form are stout and heavy ; the wings long, wide and somewhat pointed ; third, fourth and fifth quills longest, 

 the first shorter than eighth, the three outer primaries in latissimus emarginate on innerwebs, and in borealis 

 and Uneatus the four outer quills emarginate on inner webs. The moderately long tall, conspicuously barred 

 or highly colored, is quite broad and slightly rounded; the bluish-black bill is short, wide at base, and max- 

 illa is lobedon edges. Legs and feet stout: tarsus feathered In front about third of length; thighs have 

 long feathers that in some individuals reach nearly to the feet. Tarsi yellowish ; cere yellowish or green- 

 ish; the eyes vary greatly, but are usually brown or yellow. Sexes similar in color; female larger than 

 male: immature birds differ greatly from the adults. The flight of these hawks is quite vigorous, and that 

 of borealis. in particular, is often long continued; but they do not fly with the great rapidity of species of 

 the genus Accipiter. 



