Plate LIX. 



Fig. 1. OIRGUS HUDSQNIUS-Marsh Hawk. 



The first recoi'd of the Marsh Hawk in Ohio was made by Dr. Kirtland of Cleveland, in 1838, on 

 the authority of Dr. Sager. In 1858, Mr. Kirkpatrick found it quite common about Sandusky Bay. In 

 " Geological Survey of Ohio," vol. iv. 1882, Dr. Wheaton writing of this species says: "In the vicinity 

 of Columbus it was once rather common, and bred in the swamp 'prairies south of the city. A few remained 

 here during the winter but "they were never numerous in summer. Now, it is comparatively rare ; in 

 some seasons none are seen." Mr. Dury a few years ago found it breeding at the Mercer County 

 reservoir. 



At the present time, the Marsh Hawk is in some localities of the State a permanent resident; in 

 some, it is an occasional or a rare summer resident only ; while in other sections it is not found at all 

 except as an irregular spring and fall migrant. In the spring of 1870, I first met with it in the Scioto 

 Valley. Since this date I have several times seen it during the spring, summer, and fall. In 1882, a 

 pair built a nest within two miles of Circleville, but 1 do not think it has nested in Pickaway County 

 during the past two years, although several pairs have been seen each spring. 



Nidification begins the last of April or the first of May. But one brood is reared during a year, 



LOCALITY : 



The nest is generally placed near a swamp, pond, or wet prairie-land upon moderately dry ground. 

 There are in the State many acres of land too wet for cultivation, which in the summer grow luxuriant 

 grass, and often patches of flags, rushes, and low bushes, that fulfill in every particular the requirements 

 of the Marsh Hawk during the breeding season. And it is in such places, although sometimes cf but 

 few acres in extent, that the nest is to be looked for if the Hawks are suspected of breeding in the 

 locality. About large ponds with swampy borders the nest is often built in an adjoining meadow, instead 

 of in the grass near the edge of the marsh. More rarely the site is among the dead leaves at the root 

 of a tree in the border of a wood adjoining wet land. 



POSITION: 



The nest is almost invariably situated on the ground, upon whatever dead or growing vegetation 

 happens to be on the site. Sometimes it is in open grass, sometimes it is beside a log, and sometimes 

 under a bush ; but wherever placed little or no effort is made at concealment. 



MATERIALS : 



The eggs are sometimes laid upon the natural debris cf the site, without much if any arranging by 

 the birds. More commonly, however, dead grass, leaves, weed-stems, and small sticks in various propor- 

 tions compose a rough and scanty foundation upon which the eggs are deposited. But some birds go 



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