620 



BULLETIN UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 



depression. It was composed of dried grasses, rather neatly disposed, 

 resting upon a bed of rose-twigs. It contained five eggs, slightly incu- 

 bated. These were of nearly equal size at both ends, and measured 

 respectively 1.87 by 1.45, 1.86 by 1.45, 1.83 by 1.44, 1.80 by 1.45, 1.80 by 

 1.42. The color was dull white, with a faint greenish tinge, but with- 

 out distinct markings of any kind, though much soiled mechanically. 

 On approaching the spot where I had supposed, from observing the 

 birds two or three times, that the nest was concealed, the female did not 

 fly up till I was within a few feet of her, when she made off with all 

 speed and great outcry, calling her mate. He soon appeared, and 

 the pair circled for some time overhead, the male silent and at a very 

 reasonable distance ; the female, more impetuous or more anxious, came 

 nearer, and constantly uttering a harsh note. At Turtle Mountain, in 

 July, nearly a whole family, the young of which were newly on wing, 

 was shot, the prudent male alone escaping. While encamped on Mouse 

 Elver I had frequent opportunities of observing the birds fishing for 

 frogs in the stagnant pools near the main stream. 



List of specimens. 



ACCIPITER FUSCUS, {Gm.) Gray. 

 Shaep-shinned Hawk. 



This dashing and elegant little Hawk is probably less rare in the 

 region surveyed than my observations would indicate. I only recog- 

 nized it on one occasion, when a specimen was procured, as below indi- 

 cated. The second North American species of this genus, A. cooperij 

 undoubtedly occurs in this country, though it was not noticed. 



While at Pembina I was assured by Colonel Wheaton, TJ. S. A., of 

 the occasional occurrence in that vicinity of the Swallow-tailed Kite, 

 JEJlanoides forficatus. This officer seemed to know the bird perfectly 



