242 NORTH AMERICAN felRDS, 



locality in Woston, until the latter part of May. It was found breeding in 

 Iowa by Mr. S. N. Marston. INIr. Victor Brooke records in tlie Ibis, 1870, 

 p. 538, the occurrence, in Ireland, of an example of this species. It was shot 

 in the Galtce MountaiiLs, in February, 1870. The bird was a mature female, 

 with tlie ovary somewhat enlarj^ed. The stomach contained the remains of 

 a ral)bit. 



On the Pacific coast it is comparatively rare in California, though much 

 more abundant fartlier north, in Oregon and in Wasliington Ten-itory. Dr. 

 Cooper noticed several in tlie dense spruce forests of Washington Territory, 

 and regarded it as a special I'requenter of dark woods, where other Hawks 

 are rarely seen. Dr. Suckley also obtained several specimens of this bird 

 botli at Fort Dalles and at Fort Steilacoom. 



Sir Jolm Ilichardson met with this Hawk and procured several specimens 

 in the Arctic regions, and Captain Blakiston also met witli it in the valley 

 of the Saskatchewan. He states that it ranges througiiout the interior from 

 Hudson's Bay to the Rocky ^lountains and ^lackenzie IJiver. He found it 

 breeding on the Sa.skatchcwan, and one of his specimens was sliot on its 

 nest. The Oosliawk was obtained at Sitka by Bischoff; and a pair was taken 

 by Mr. Dall, April 24, 18G7, within a few miles of Nulato Fort, on the 

 Yukon liiver. The nest was on a large pojdar, tliirty feet above the ground, 

 and made of small sticks. No eggs had hoen laid, but several nearly mature 

 were found in the ovary of the female. Tlie nest was on a small island in a 

 thick grove of poplars, a situation wliich this species seemed to prefer. Mr. 

 Dall adds thiit tliis was the most common Hawk in the valley of the Yukon, 

 where it feeds largely on the White rtarmigan {Lmjopns alhus), tearing off 

 the skin and feathers, and eating only the Hesh. Mr. Dall received skins 

 from the Kuskoquim Kiv?r, where it was sakl to be a resilient species. 



Dr. Suckley speaks of this Hawk as bold, swii't, and strong, never hesi- 

 tating to sweep into a poultry-yard, catch up a chicken, and make off with 

 it almost in a breath. Its manner of seizing its prey was by a horizon- 

 tal approach for a short distance, elevated but a few feet from the ground, 

 a sudden downward sweep, and then, without stopping its flight, making its 

 way to a neighboring tree with the struggling victim securely fastened in 

 its talons. For strength, intrepidity, and fury, Dr. Suckley adds, it cannot 

 be surpas.sed. It seems to display great cunning, seizing very opportune 

 moments for its attacks. In one instance it was several days before he was 

 able to have one of these birds killed, although men were constantly on 

 the watch for it. So adroit was it in seizing opportunities to make its at- 

 tacks, that it regularly visited the ]ioultry-yard three times a day, and yet 

 always contrived to escape unmolested. He found these birds much more 

 ])lentiful during some months than at other times, and attributed it to their 

 breeding in the retired recesses of the mountains, remaining there until 

 their young were well able to fly, and then all descending to the open plains, 

 where they obtain a more abundant supply of food. 



