THE RED-SHOULDERED HAWK. 39 



always an easy matter, as our beech-trees are not only vei-y 

 smooth, but frequently without any boughs to a considerable dis- 

 tance from the ground, as well as of rather large size), the female 

 bird, if she happens to be sitting, flies off silently, and alights on a 

 neighboring tree to wait the result; but should the male, w^ho 

 supplies her with food, and assists in incubation, be there, or make 

 his appearance, he immediately sets up a hue and cry, and plunges 

 toward the assailant with such violence as to astonish him. 



" "When, on several occasions, I have had the tree, on which the 

 nest was placed, cut down, I have observed the same j^air, a few 

 days after, build another nest on a tree not far distant from the 

 spot in which the first one had been. 



"The mutual attachment of the male and the female continues 

 during life. They usually hunt in pairs during the whole year; 

 and, although they build a new nest every sjiriug, they are fond of 

 resorting to the same parts of the woods for that purpose.^ 



" The young remain in the nest until fully fledged, and are fed 

 by the parents for several weeks after they have begun to fly ; but 

 leave them, and begin to shift for themselves, in about a month, 

 when they disperse, and hunt separately, until the ajiproach of the 

 succeeding spring, at which time they pair. 



" Tliis Hawk seldom attacks any kind of poultry, and yet fre- 

 quently pounces on partridges, doves, or wild pigeons, as well as 

 red-winged blackbirds, and now and then young rabbits. On one 

 or two occasions, I have seen them make their appearance at the 

 report of my gun, and try to rob me of some blue-winged teals, 

 shot in small ponds. I have never seen them chase any other 

 small birds than those mentioned, or quadrupeds of smaller size 

 than the Cotton Rat." 



My experience has been different from the above para- 

 graph ; for I have known of this Hawk attackiiig poultry, 

 and, even several times in the same flock, killing a fowl each 

 time. The breeding habits of this and the Red-tailed Hawk 

 are so exactly similar, that the above description well 

 answers for both. 



1 T have known of the same nest being occupied by a pair of these birds fot 

 Bevera. seasons. — E. A. S. 



