BIRDS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 269 



ping of their wings : all the while they make a mournful cry, 

 as if wholly intent upon their own sorrows, but they are in 

 reality keeping sharp watch on every thing that moves below ; 

 should they see an animal, they alight, take deliberate aim, 

 and shoot down like an arrow to secure it. They will some- 

 times, as if in the mere enjoyment of this power, soar upwards 

 till they are lost in the clear blue sky. These birds rear their 

 young in Massachusetts, building in forests where they may 

 escape persecution. The frame-work of their nest is made of 

 sticks, and finished with twigs and coarse grass. The eggs 

 are of a dull white, blotched with black and brown. The 

 young are fed with squirrels, rabbits, and various other food. 

 As soon as the young are able to take care of themselves, the 

 old birds dissolve their partnership, and treat each other as 

 perfect strangers. 



The Black Wakrior, Falco Harlani, was first discovered 

 by Audubon in Louisiana. He at first supposed it to be the 

 black hawk of Wilson, but on examination it proved to be a 

 new species, allied to the preceding, but superior to it in every 

 thing but size. It is considerably smaller, and, though not 

 able to contend with its enemy, the red-tail, escapes by its 

 superior fleetness. It seldom preys on animals, but subsists on 

 poultry, partridges and other birds. Nuttall informs us that 

 these birds are occasionally seen in Massachusetts ; and, though 

 it is not known that any one has been taken, the observation 

 of such a naturalist is not to be disregarded. Of the nest and 

 habits of this bird at the breeding season, nothing is yet known. 



The Red-shouldered Hawk, Falco lineatus. It has been 

 a subject of discussion whether this is a species distinct from 

 the Winter falcon, Falco hiemalis ; Audubon, in his first vol- 

 ume, maintained that they were different, and said that the 

 winter falcon was much more common than the former. I 

 have since understood that he has found reason to change his 

 opinion ; and if it be true that they are the same, F. lineatus^ 

 the name of the supposed adult, is the one that should be pre- 



