BIRDS OF MINNESOTA. 179 
an individual refuses to leave the southern borders of the 
State, and remains all winter, incredible as it may seem. I 
have records of its presence there during each month of the 
winter. 
Noticing frequent reports of the Marsh Hawk’s seizing small 
birds, I have taken pains to ascertain their local habit in this 
respect, but I have yet to record the first instance. I have 
met with individuals in November, long after every trace of 
either insect or reptilian life had disappeared, when presump- 
tively, if ever, the urgencies of hunger should have revealed 
this reserved proclivity, in the presence of several species of 
sparrows, without preceiving the slightest disposition to inter- 
fere with them. 
Dr. Hvoslef records the presence of the Marsh Hawk near 
Lanesboro on the 13th of January, 1886. 
Mr. Lewis found them everywhere from Bigstone to the 
northern boundaries of the State, and Mr Washburn says in 
his Red river valley notes, ‘‘Extremely common. Found 
everywhere in the vicinity of open country. The most abun- 
dant representative of the family, pairs or single birds being 
constantly seen hovering over the prairie and over the fields of 
grain. ‘The immense numbers of frogs which throng the 
meadows and fields this season must afford them bountiful 
nourishment.” 
SPECIFIC CHARACTERS. 
Form long and slender; tarsi long; ruff quite distinct on 
neck in front; entire upper parts, head and breast pale-bluish 
cinereous; back of head mixed with dark fulvous; upper tail 
coverts white; under parts white, with small cordate, or has 
tate spots of light feruginous; quills brownish-black, with 
their outer edges tinged with ashy, and a large portion of the 
inner webs white; tail light cinereous, nearly white on inner 
webs of feathers, and with obscure transverse bands of brown: 
under surface silky-white; under wing coverts-white. Young— 
Entire upper parts dark umber-brown; upper tail coverts 
white; under parts rufous, with longitudinal stripes of 
brown on breast and sides; tail reddish-brown, with about 
three wide bands of dark fulvous, paler on the inner webs; 
tarsi and toes yellow. ; 
Length (of female), 19 to 21; wing, 15.50; tail, 10. 
Habitat, North America. 
Notre—At certain times of the day,notably mid-forenoon and 
towards evening, I have repeatedly seen the young hawks while 
yet unable to fly, scattered in different directions from one to 
three yards from the nest searching for bits of food either 
