HAWKS AND EAGLES. 379 



they fail, they rise, and in a second attempt it frequently hap- 

 pens that not even the cunning Quail can escape. They 

 sometimes fly lower, with more or less sailing, according to 

 the breeze or motion in the air, and, diving down, seize a 

 chicken, or even a hen, and bear it off with apparent ease. 

 At other times, they perch in a tree in their hunting-grounds, 

 and with an eager, intent expression, closely watch the sur- 

 rounding grass, down into which they drop when occasion re- 

 quires, or over which they again sail, instantly checking their 

 course and again alighting, should anything attract their at- 

 tention. Then facing about, they wait until an opportune 

 moment, when, spreading their wings and for an instant hover- 

 ing, they pounce upon their prey. They rarely catch birds on 

 the wing, and never, so far as I know, pursue them. On the 

 contrary, if undisturbed, they sometimes remain perched for 

 hours, either waiting for the appearance of game, or digesting 

 a meal. In the woods, they not unfrequently catch squirrels, 

 diving at them when in some exposed situation. They usually 

 sail up to their perch, and stand erectly, often far above the 

 ground. 



Their ordinary fare is composed of hares, often called " rab- 

 bits," squirrels, minks, rarely rats or mice, snakes (especially 

 the striped kind or garter-snake), frogs, Grouse, Quail, and 

 Poultry. They do not, however, often catch our so-called Par- 

 tridges, owing to the latter's rapid flight and rather persis- 

 tent occupation of the woods, and it is not uncommon to find 

 these game-birds in groves where the " Hen Hawks " have 

 their nest. 



It may be said that the natural home of the " Hen Hawks " 

 is the woods (in our climate, particularly those of old pines, 

 and such as are somewhat swampy), but it must be added that 

 during the day they are much away from home. Their favor- 

 ite hunting-grounds are open places, especially farms and 

 meadows ; but there are few kinds of land over which they do 

 not fly, including even our smaller cities. Occasionally they 

 may be seen in roads or perched on roadsides. 



Towards man the " Hen Hawks " are naturally shy ; but 

 it is generally easy to approach them when gorged, or at other 



