72 THE HAWKS AND OWLS OP THE UNITED STATES, 



WHITE-TAILED HAWK. 



Buteo albicaudatus. 



This Hawk inhabits the territory from eastern South America north 

 to southern Texas. The iirst specimen taken within our limits was 

 shot by Mr. G. B. Sennett near Corpus Ohristi, Tex., March 27, 1878, 

 since which time it has been found not uncommon in the lower Eio 

 Grande Valley. Mr. William Lloyd's records for western Texas in fall 

 and winter undoubtedly refer to the Ferruginous Kough-leg. (Auk, 

 vol. IV, 1887, pp. 188, 189.) 



Very little has been written on the food of this Hawk, but i^resuma- 

 bly it does not differ much from that of the Red- shouldered Hawk. Mr. 

 G. B. Benners says its food consists of snakes, frogs, rabbits, and quails. 

 (Ornithologist and Oologist, vol. xii, 1887, p. 68.) 



The White-tailed Hawk breeds along the sand ridges near the coast, 

 and usually places its nest in a Spanish bayonet (yucca) or other low 

 plant from 5 to 10 feet from the ground. The nest is a bulky affair, 

 often several feet in diameter, although the cavity is small, and just 

 sufficient to accommodate the bird. The greater mass of the structure 

 is composed of sticks and coarse herbage, while the lining is made up 

 of dry grass and small fibers. The eggs, which are usually two in 

 number, rarely three or four, are deposited in the early part of May, 

 and the young are found about the 1st of June. 



The bird is quite shy and difficult to secure, and when its nest is 

 approached will circle about out of gun range. 



DESCRIPTION. 



Tail less than half as long as wing. Three outer wing feathers with 

 inner web distinctly cut out. Tail, and the feathers covering it, white, 

 crossed near the end with a broad band of black, in front of which are 

 numerous narrow broken lines of blackish. Above, blueish-gray or 

 slaty; front of shoulders rufous; rump and lower parts white; throat 

 sometimes dusky. 



Length: 23 to 24 inches (584 to 609""") ; extent, 48 to 54 inches (1220 

 to 1372"™); wing, 14.50 to 17.75 inches (368 to 450"'"'); tail, 7.50 to 

 10.30 inches (190 to 261">"). 



SWAINSON'S HAWK. 



Buteo swainsoni. 



[Plate 9— Adult.] 



Swainson's Hawk inhabits western North America, ranging from 

 Alaska and the Mackenzie Eiver district south through middle Amer- 

 ica and the greater part of South America to the Argentine Eepublic. 

 In North America it extends east to Hudson Bay, Wisconsin, Illinois, 



