SWALLOW-TAILED HAWK. 369 



ly course. At that season, and in the beginning of September, when 

 they all retire from the United States, they are easily approached when 

 they have alighted, being then apparently fatigued, and busily engaged 

 in preparing themselves for continuing their journey, by dressing and 

 oiling their feathers. At all other times, however, it is extremely chffi- 

 cult to get near them, as they are generally on wing through the day, 

 and at night rest on the highest pines and cypresses, bordering the river- 

 bluffs, the lakes or the swamps of that district of country. 



They always feed on the wing. In calm and warm weather, they 

 soar to an immense height, pursuing the large insects called MuSQuito 

 Haz&ls, and performing the most singular evolutions that can be con- 

 ceived, using their tail with an elegance of motion peculiar to themselves. 

 Their principal food, however, is large grasshoppers, grass-caterpillars, 

 small snakes, lizards, and frogs. They sweep close over the fields, some- 

 times seeming to alight for a moment to secure a snake, and holding it 

 fast by the neck, carry it off, and devour it in the air. When searching 

 for grasshoppers and caterpillars, it is not difficult to approach them un- 

 der cover of a fence or tree. When one is then killed and falls to the 

 ground, the whole flock comes over the dead bird, as if intent upon carry- 

 ing it off. An excellent opportunity is thus afforded of shooting as many 

 as may be wanted, and I have kiUed several of these Hawks in this man- 

 ner, firing as fast as I could load my gun. 



The Forked-tailed Hawks are also very fond of frequenting the creeks, 

 which, in that country, are much encumbered with drifted logs and ac- 

 cumulations of sand, in order to pick up some of the numerous water- 

 snakes which lie basking in the sun. At other times, they dash along 

 the trunks of trees, and snap off the pupae of the locust, or that insect it- 

 self. Although when on wing they move with a grace and ease which 

 it is impossible to describe, yet on the ground they are scarcely able to 

 walk. 



I kept for several days one which had been slightly wounded in the 

 wing. It refused to eat, kept the feathers of the head and rump con- 

 stantly erect, and vomited several times part of the contents of its sto- 

 mach. It never threw itself on its back, nor attempted to strike with its 

 talons, unless when taken vip by the tip of the wing. It died from inani- 

 tion, as it constantly refused the food placed before it in profusion, and 

 instantly vomited what had been thrust down its throat. 



The Swallow-tailed Hawk pairs immediately after its arrival in the 



A a 



