RAPTORES. 95 



ranges across the state. Being semi-nocturnal in habits it 

 is not often seen by those who go out only during bright 

 day, and so is regarded rare or absent from many regions 

 where it undoubtedly occurs. I have found it in Lorain 

 county only after -the holidays, usuaily in- late winter and 

 early spring. In feeding habits it somewhat resembles the 

 Marsh Hawk, beating low over the meadows and fields and 

 pouncing upon the mice and moles from its low flight. 



Dr. Fisher says : "Its food consists principally, if not 

 almost exclusively, of the smaller rodents, and most promi- 

 nent among them are the arvicoline mice and lemmings." 

 It is therefore clear that this hawk should be welcomed to 

 our fields and meadows and orchards where these pests 

 abound. 



Probably the chief character which will distinguish this 

 large hawk from all the others in flight is its dark color. It 

 is so much smaller than the eagles that the comparison, 

 would appeal to any one at once. 



131. (349.) Aquila chrysaetos (Linn.). 175. 

 Golden Eagle. 



Synonyms: Aquila chrysaetus var. canadensis, Falco fulvus, F. 

 clirysaetus, Aquila canadensis. 



Ring-tailed Eagle. 

 Kirtland, Ohio Geol. Surv., 1858, 67, 177. 



It is not at all likely that this eagle nests in the state. It 

 seems to be a rare winter visitor, but is reported from all 

 sections. Mr. Harry B. McConnell tells me that three have 

 been captured in the vicinity of Cadiz within the past three 

 years. I have four records for Lorain county within the 

 last five years. One was shot, not far from Oberlin, in the 

 act of carrying off a hen from a barn-yard. 



"The food consists mainly of mammals and birds, of 

 which spermophiles, rabbits, fawns, lambs, turkeys, water 

 fowl and other large birds form the principal part, though 

 offal and carrion are sometimes taken. 



"To sum up, it may be stated that in sections of the coun- 

 try where rabbits, prairie dogs and gophers are abundant 



