more indistinct ones of yellowish-brown and ochre, are often made up of numerous confluent marks, and 

 have generally ragged edges. The majority of the markings are usually about the point, instead of about 

 the base as is the case with most eggs. 



DIFFERENTIAL POINTS: 



The eggs of the Red-tailed Hawk average some larger than those of the Red-shouldered Hawk, and, 

 as a rule, arc not so heavily marked. There is also less yellow on the latter. Extreme specimens of 

 each it is impossible to identify. 



REMARKS: 



Fig. 4, Plate XLIX, represents three eggs of the Red-tailed Hawk, selected from five sets. The 

 egg at the left was taken April 19th, 1879, from a nest two miles south of Circleville. The other two 

 were taken from nests east of the same town, in 1878 and 1882. 



The Red-tailed Hawk, or Hen Hawk, has many enemies. The hunter and the whole country popu- 

 lace are arrayed against it, and the State, until recently, has paid fifty cents for every head. But, not- 

 withstanding, the species is plentiful. I rarely go to the country without seeing one or more of these 

 birds; and I can easily count a dozen nests within a radius of five miles. This Hawk, like all of the 

 family, is very intelligent, and is expert in avoiding danger. It seems to be perfectly familiar with 

 all kinds of guns, and gives them a wide birth. It is impossible to walk near enough to an old bird to 

 kill it with a shot-gun; but young ones are not so shy. 



The Red-tailed Hawk feeds principally on rats, but it is by no means limited to this diet: mice, 

 snakes, squirrels, rabbits, quail, chickens, and numerous small birds, fall prey to its hunger. Through- 

 out the year this species remains in the neighborhood of its nest, but it makes long journeys in search 

 of food, the hunting grounds of a single pair of birds often extending over many miles of territory. 

 In February, these Hawks are frequently seen in pairs circling in the air, or sitting near together upon 

 a tree. During the period of egg-laying and incubation the male is watchful, and shows his mate much 

 attention. Pie often brings food to her, and, when the young are hatched, he becomes solicitous for their 

 wellfare and hunts the greater part of the day for their support. In 1879, I climbed to a nest which 

 contained three young birds but a few days old, and, much to my surprise, found five full grown rats 

 lying upon the rim of the nest. They were nicely laid away, probably to be used at some future time 

 when the result of the days foraging would not be sufficient to appease the growing appetites of the lit- 

 tle ones. 



When sitting upon her eggs, the mother bird is often invisible from below, and is with difficulty 

 driven from her nest. Of all the birds which I have observed, the Red-tailed Hawk shows the most valor 

 and love of offspring. I have seen the female take load after load from a shot-gun, while defending her 

 home from attack, and, finally, with shattered bones and wounded muscles alight beside her youno-, when 

 she must have known that such an act would be certain death. 



The cry of the Plen Hawk is shrill and grating, and is well known by domestic fowls, which, hold- 

 ing the Hawk in dread, duck their heads and scamper for cover at every cry. The Blue Jay mimics to 

 perfection its screaming notes, and may possibly enjoy flying noiselessly into a tree under which 

 chickens are feeding and then suddenly uttering the Hawk's scream. I have seen the Blue Jay do this 

 trick several times, and I imagine he has just mischief enough in him to delight in the fear and conster- 

 nation of the chickens. 



178 



