BIRDS OF INDIANA. 



781 



Length, 19.00-25.00; wing, 13.50-17.75; tail, <S. 50-10.50. (Fisher). 



RANGE. Eastern North America, west to Great Plains; from 

 Mexico to North Labrador, Manitoba and Northwest Territory. 

 Breeds almost throughout its range. 



Nest, in high trees, of sticks, twigs, grass, etc. Eggs, 2^4; white, 

 often irregularly and variously marked with different shades of brown; 

 2.36 by 1.80. 



Common resident; more numerous in southern two-thirds of the 

 State, in most places, where it is the most abundant Buteo. In the 

 region adjacent to Chicago all but a few have been destroyed. Tltrv 



Head of Red-tailed Hawk. Natural size. 



are slightly migratory, perhaps more some years than others, as they 

 are more numerous during the migratory periods, August, September, 

 and March and April. 



This is the best known of the larger hawks, being in most places 

 commonly known as "Hen Hawk," or Chicken Hawk. This name is a 

 misnomer. Occasionally an individual of depraved nature becomes a 

 chicken-eater, but as a rule it is exceptional for them to attack poultry. 

 In an examination of twenty stomachs, made by me a few years ago, 

 there were but two that had eaten chickens. One contained the re- 

 mains of a Bobwhite; the remainder, principally mice and small 

 rodents. 



In his report on "The Hawks and Owls of the United States," Dr. 

 Fisher gives the results of the examination of 563 stomachs of this 



