HAWKS AND OWLS 147 



is the avoidance of over-supply. To remain in good health 

 and condition, hawks must be keen at meal-time. To insure 

 this, the food should be limited to just what the bird will 

 take readily at one feeding. At least once weekly a fast 

 should be observed, and no food whatever given. This, 

 of course, is in accordance with the natural habits of rap- 

 torial birds. 



Hawks seldom drink, but occasionally do so. Many 

 species, however, are fond of bathing, and fresh, clean 

 water, in a receptacle of sufficient size for the ablutions of 

 the birds, should always be at hand. 



Few hawks besides the native forms are to be had in this 

 country. The genus Buteo, the members of which are 

 known collectively as " hen-hawks," offers the greatest num- 

 ber of species. The Red-tailed (B. borealis), the Red- 

 shouldered (B. lineatus) and the Broad-winged (B, 

 platypterus) are the best known. These birds feed chiefly 

 on small rodents, and their great economic value should 

 save them from the persecution to which they are commonly 

 subjected. In captivity they are uniformly quiet and docile, 

 and are easily tamed. They live longer than most other 

 hawks, but are especially susceptible to the effects of damp- 

 ness. 



The Marsh Hawk {Circus hudsonicus) belongs to the 

 great group of Harriers, which occupies an important posi- 

 tion in the fauna of the Old World. Wild-caught adults 

 are timid and nervous and seldom thrive. Hand-reared 

 young birds, however, become very tame, and if suitably 

 housed live very well. 



Even more difficult are the bird-killing Sharp-shin (Ac- 

 cipiter velox) and Cooper Hawk {A. cooperi). These 

 birds are essentially wild and intractable, and the writer has 

 never known one of these, or their Old World allies, to live 

 in captivity for more than a short time. They are not keen 



