202 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 



barren, but in nine instances out of ten, I am satisfied that 

 some luckless cur-dog, mink, or weasel deserves the onus 

 for the poor bird's broodless lot. 



About the end of March the large flocks begin to break 

 up and divide into parties of twenty or thirty, each detach- 

 ment selecting a knoll on which to exhibit their fascinations 

 to the fair sex or select partners. On the first glint of dawn 

 the males utter their war-cry, and either wait to receive their 

 rivals in love, or swiftly wing their way to accept the chal- 

 lenge of some distant gallant. The fiercest battles now en- 

 sue.* Nor is it only between two, for sometimes a dozen may 

 be observed engaged in the melee, each fearlessly attacking 

 his nearest neighbor, rising and striking with the wings and 

 feet much after the manner of domestic poultry, when feath- 

 ers fly and severe and numerous injuries are received, till 

 the weaker, finding their strength inadequate to the trial, 

 reluctantly retire, and some old veteran alone remains, ex- 

 hausted and war -stained, to make selection of his future 

 mate. Often have the birds been found, after these con- 

 tests, so exhausted that they were scarcely able to rise off 

 the ground or avoid the traveler's feet. And well do the 

 hawks know their enfeebled condition after such tourna- 

 ments, and are not slow to avail themselves of the advan- 

 tage, and pounce upon the unfortunate conquerors, who, 

 but for their now exhausted condition, resulting from their 

 prowess, could easily have avoided the relentless destroyer. 



As soon as the victor has made his choice he retires. 

 The same scenes are again and again enacted till all are 

 mated. 



Like the turkey-cock and domestic pigeon, when making 



* Until a late date I believed these battles were a description of tourna- 

 ment, in fact, all for show. However, this is not the case, and numbers 

 of the combatants get severely injured. 



