DESCRIPTIVE LIST 167 



KEY TO SPECIES 



1. Four outermost wing quills with webs distinctly emarginated (abruptly narrowed on about 

 the outer half). See 2. 



1. Only three outer wing quills emarginate. See 3. 



2. Outer webs of primary quills distinctly spotted with white. Red-shouldered Hawk. 



2. Outer webs of primaries unspotted. Red-tailed Hawk. 



3. Wing less than 12.00. Broad-winged Hawk. 

 3. Wing more than 14.00. Swainsoris Hawk. 



149. Buteo borealis borealis (Gmel.). RED-TAILED HAWK; "HEN HAWK." 



Description. Dark brown above, underparts white, much marked with rusty on the breast 

 and dusky on the belly, the markings being heaviest and darkest on the belly. Tail rufous above, 

 with subterminal black bar in adult, duller in young, with a number of narrow black bars. L. 

 20.00 to 23.50; W., 15.75 to 17.00; T., 9.00 to 9.75. The largest birds are usually females. 



Range. Eastern North America. 



Range in North Carolina. Whole State at all seasons. 



FIG. 126. RED-TAILED HAWK. 



The Red-tailed Hawk is not as a rule distinguished by our people from the next 

 mentioned species, for, although larger, its superficial appearance is somewhat 

 similar. 



It is not very particular in its feeding habits, eating almost any living thing it 

 can capture, from a spider to a hen. The major part of its food, however, appears 

 to consist of mice, frogs, snakes, lizards, crawfish, and insects. 



The nest is usually situated in the crotch of some large oak, and the same tree 

 is frequently used by one pair for many years. It is a bulky structure of small 

 sticks, lined with finer material. The eggs, which are deposited generally in April, 

 vary from two to four in number. They are dull white, and are usually more or 

 less heavily marked with irregular spots and blotches of brown. Size 2.38 x 1.80. 



150. Buteo lineatus lineatus (Gmd.}. RED-SHOULDERED HAWK. 



Description. Dark brown, the breast (in the adult) rust-red crossed with narrow bars of 

 white; four outer primaries notched on their inner sides; tail with narrow bars of white. Im- 

 mature birds with underparts white, streaked with dark brown, this streaking heaviest on the 

 breast; tail dusky, barred with dull buffy. L., 17.75 to 19.75; W., 12.25 to 13.75; T., 8.25 to 9.25. 



Range. Eastern North America. 



Range in North Carolina. Whole State, resident at least east of the mountains. 







The Red-shouldered Hawk is often confused in the popular mind with the pre- 

 ceding, and is likewise called "Chicken Hawk" or "Hen Hawk," although we have 



