BROAD-WINGED HAWK. 81 



its enormons value ranks above all otlier birds, and that is in the de- 

 struction of immense numbers of injurious larvaj of large moths, which 

 most birds are either unable or disinclined to coi)e with. The good serv- 

 ice it does shoixkl insure it the protection extended to the other Buteos. 

 The following si^ecies of mammals were positively identified among 

 the stomach contents ; 



Sciunts hudsoiiicits. BlarUta t, caroUnensis. 



ArvicoJa riparius. Tamias striatus. 



Anicola pinetorum, Lepus sylvatious, 



Soalops aqiiaticas. Mua decumanus. 

 Blarina hrevioaiida. 



The nest, which is placed in a fork of either an evergreen or decid- 

 uous tree, usually is not over 25 feet from the ground, though occasionally 

 it is situated in the tops of the highest trees. Sometimes this hawk 

 appropriates the deserted nests of some other bird, notably that of the 

 crow, or even uses for a foundation the outside canopy of the squirrel. 

 The nest, which averages a little larger than that of the crow, is com- 

 posed of dead sticks and lined with strips of bark, or with dry or green 

 leaves. The eggs, of which the complement is usually two or three, are 

 deposited from the middle to the latter part of May, consequently this 

 species is among the latest of the hawks to breed. The male assists in 

 incubating the eggs as well as in the duties pertaining to bringing up 

 the young. 



Of all our Hawks this species seeins to be the most unsuspicious, often 

 allowing a person to approach within a few yards of it, and when started 

 flies but a short distance before it alights again. During the early 

 summer the Broad- winged Hawk often maybe seen sitting for hours on 

 the dead top of some high tree. At other times it is found on the 

 smaller trees in the deep woods, along streams, or on the ground, where 

 its food is more often procured. Although sluggish and unusually 

 heavy in its flight, it is capable of rapid motion and sometimes soars 

 high in the air. One of its notes resembles quite closely that of the 

 wood pewee. 



DESOEIPTION. 



Wing less than 13.50 inches (342™). Middle toe shorter than naked 

 portion of leg in front. 



Adult. — Above dusky brownish, darker on back; below brownish, 

 dull rufous, or rusty, more or less broken by white transverse spotting; 

 low^er belly white, barred with dull rufous; tail blackisli, crossed by 

 two to lour bands of gray or brownish white. 



Immature. — Entire underimrts dull white or buft'y, with longitudinal 

 brown or dusky streaks on breast and sides; tail grayish brown, crossed 

 by five to seven narrow bands of dusky. 



Length: 13.25 to 18 inches (336 to 457™'"); extent, 33 to 36 inches 

 (838 to 915"""); wing, 9.75 to 11.40 inches (247 to 290"""); tail, 0.50 to 

 8 inches (165 to 203"""). 

 7626— No. 3 6 



