284 RCSTEHAMUS SOC1AB1L1S. 



The Marsh Hawks hunt by flying a short distance above the ground, when, upon per- 

 ceiving their prey, will poise for a moment in air upon vibrating wings, then drop suddenly 

 downward; but they are not quick enough to be sure of their victim every time they try 

 to catch it and will often make several attempts before they succeed. 



These Hawks are very methodical in their habits and will hunt over certain portions 

 of a marsh or meadow every day, passing a particular point about the same time. This 

 is especially noticeable in summer when they are securing food for their young. 



The Marsh Hawks breed about the first week in May in the North, usually placing 

 the nest on the ground in some secluded bit of meadow. When the female is sitting, the 

 male is very watchful, guarding the immediate locality with great assiduity, and when- 

 ever he perceives an intruder, he gives notice to the female by uttering short, shrill screams, 

 when she stealthily leaves her eggs. Thus the nest is not easy to find but by watching 

 the male when he is flying about, one may judge of the approximate position of it; for he 

 will frequently pause a moment, when he thinks he is unobserved, to hover over the spot 

 or will swoop down toward it, evidently to assure the female of his presence. The young 

 are cared for by the parents until they have left the nest, after which they soon begin to 

 forage for themselves and by the middle of October, both young and old migrate south- 

 ward. 



GENUS II. ROSTRHAMUS. THE CURVE-BILLED HAWKS. 



GEN. CH. Bill, lony, well curved, with the cutting edge of upper mandible not lobed. Tarsus, not lony and nearly nak- 

 ed. Tail, slightly emaryinale, about equal in lenyth to one half the len/jlh of the wmys which are considerably elon/jated. 

 There is no ruff on the face. 



Members of this genus have no ruff, or facial disk, nor are the ear cavities strikingly large. The leg is short and the 

 tarsus is naked to the heel behind, but is slightly feathered in front. The claws are very long and pointed. Four outer 

 quills are incised on the inner webs. Sexes, not similar in color. There is but one species within our limits. 



EOSTKHAMUS SOCIABILIS. 



Everglade Kite. 

 Rostrhamus sociabilis BAIRD, Birds N. A.; 1858, 32. 



DESCRIPTION. 



Sp. Cn. Form, rather slender. Size, medium. Sternum, rather stout, with the marginal indentations varying with 

 age. Tongue, short, not very fleshy, and about the same width for nearly its entire length, then abruptly rounded but not 

 bifid. Bill and claws, long. 



COLOR. Adult male. Above, including upper wing coverts, sides of head, and upper throat, dull hlack, tinged with 

 pale bluish-ash, which is brightest on the back of the head and upper neck. Upper wing coverts, shoulders, and scapula- 

 ries, overwashed with reddish-brown. Upper and under tail coverts, white. Wings, black, edged on the outer webs of 

 secondaries and tertiaries with rufous. Tail, black, with the basal portion of one half the four outer, and two thirds of the 

 remaining, feathers, white, and all the feathers are broadly tipped with reddish-brown, while a band of the same color pre- 

 cedes the basal white above.. Under portion of wings and tail, whitish. Beneath, including under wing coverts and tibia, 

 dark-brown, becoming reddish on the latter. Cere, naked space before eye, commissure, base of lower mandible, and feet, 

 bright-orange, Claws and remainder of bill, black. 



Adult female. Above, dark-brown, more or less tinged with ashy, with the feathers of the back and wing coverts edged 

 with rufous. Beneath, including under wing coverts and tibia, dark-brown, streaked and spotted with rufous. Narrow 

 band on the forehead, upper portion of throat, and under tail coverts, yellowish-white, with the shafts of the feathers of 

 the two former, black. Cere, etc., yellow. Otherwise as in the male. 



