98 BIRDS OF OHIO. ■ 



A. Hengartner, of Lorain, taken near the lake shore ; and a 

 specimen was taken in one of the State University buildings 

 during the winter of 1902-3. Mr. W. L. Dawson reports 

 one positively identified, at Columbus, JVIarch 5, 1903. There 

 are reports of other birds having been seen, but if there have 

 been any captures they have not been reported. Dr. Whea- 

 ton supposed that it might be found nesting in the north- 

 western part of the state, but if it does it is unknown to me. 



The large size for a Falcon and the boldness and swift- 

 ness of this hawk are about all the field characteristics that 

 I can give. It could not be taken for one of the Buteo group, 

 nor for anything but a Falcon. It is the largest of that 

 group inhabiting Ohio. 



"The food of this hawk consists almost exclusively of 

 birds, of which water-fowl and shore birds form the greater 

 part. In sections of the country where its nest is surrounded 

 by cultivated lands, the bird is bitterly complained of by 

 the farmers on account of its inroads on the poultry.'^ 

 (Fisher.) 



134. (357.) Falco columbarius Linn. 163. 

 Pigeon Hawk. 



Synonyms: ^salon columbarius, Hypotriorchis columbarius, 



Falco lithifalco var. columbarius. 

 Kirtland, Ohio Geol. Surv., 1838 161, 178. 



This little Falcon appears to be rare in the state, as a 

 migrant or winter resident everywhere except in the north- 

 ern tier of counties where it has been found breeding rarely. 

 There are generally several records each winter near Ober- 

 lin. During the migrations it may be found near or even 

 traveling a little behind the flocks of blackbirds and other 

 small flocking birds, preying upon them. It should be 

 found during the winter in the southern parts of the state 

 pretty regularly, but in small numbers. 



"The food of the Pigeon Hawk consists mainly of small 

 and medium sized birds, especially the gregarious species, 

 insects, and occasionally small mammals. Pigeons, Flickers 

 and Crackles are about as large birds as it usually attacks. 



