MIGRATIONS OF BIRDS OF PREY. ' 311 



bottom lands of Kentucky and Missouri. Here over one hundred species of 

 small birds wintered. Here, too, were immense robin roosts, the extent of 

 which can only be reahzed by actual observation. The bottom lands along the 

 Mississippi and Ohio Rivers are green in winter with canes. Among these the 

 robins settle at night, in numbers beyond estimation. The roosts afford a plenti- 

 ful living for birds of prey which fill the woods day and night with discordant 

 cries and owlish hoots. So far, the migration of regular migrating hawks is ac- 

 counted for on a food basis. 



The regular journeys of these birds may now be considered. The owls men- 

 tioned in the list, come down from the north to get their share of the rabbits. The 

 snowy owls live principally in winter on the little grey rabbit. The latter spend 

 their nights in traversing frozen swamps for wild berries which grow there and re- 

 main in a frozen state during the cold weather, and for the soft bark of alders. I 

 find that rabbits and hares are more abroad nights than days, and consequently af- 

 ford an easy victim for the owl. The snowy owl is also fond of fish and greedily 

 devours the carcasses found on the lake shores in winter. This species is shot from 

 the piers in the city of Chicago where it watches for such prey, floating on the 

 surface or cast upon the shore. 



The bald eagle is included in this catalogue on accDunt of its following a 

 steady course for prey half the length of the continent. They are especially found 

 following large streams in winter for fish, and I have known one to ride on a 

 single cake of ice on the Mississippi River a full hundred miles, snatching up 

 whatever fishes came in his way. These migrations are wonderful on account 

 of the great distances traversed, and the apparent ease with which the flight is 

 made. 



All south-moving migrants of the birds of prey are destroyers of game. 

 They gorge on quails and prairie hens, which huddle together in the extreme cold 

 for mutual warmth. They snatch the unwary duck, exhausted in its weary 

 search for wild rice and mollusks. They fearlessly enter the barnyards, and bear 

 away the poultry, fattening on well provided grain. They know no heights, no 

 distances, no mountains, no obstacles, and everything that hath flesh, powerless 

 for defense, they boldly seize as lawful prey. 



All north-moving hawks in summer generally prey upon larger insects, main- 

 ly grasshoppers and locusts. They include the kites, of Southern United States, 

 and goshawks. The exception is the caracara eagle, which has a fondness for 

 carrion and fish. For perhaps two weeks in summer the kites may be seen in 

 Southern Illinois in lofty aerial flight, making an occasional descent upon the 

 grasshopper. 



The conclusions which may safely be drawn from this article are : That cer- 

 tain hawks mentioned migrate in flocks at great elevations. That such migra- 

 tions have escaped naturalists heretofore on account of the elevations. 



That certain birds of prey mentioned are quasi migrants on account of the 

 irregularity with which they migrate, and their doubtful movements at such 

 limes. 



