782 Report of State Geologist. 



hawk; 54 of them contained poultry or game birds; 51, other birds; 

 278, mice; 131, other mammals; 37, batrachians or reptiles; 47, in- 

 sects; 8, crawfish; 1, centipede; 13, offal; and 89 were empty. Sixty- 

 six per cent, of its food is injurious mammals and but 7 per cent, con- 

 sists of poultry. The Red-tailed Hawk greatly prefers the smaller 

 mammals, reptiles and batrachians, and lives almost entirely upon 

 them when they can be had. In their absence they often eat grass- 

 hoppers, crickets and beetles extensively. This is one of the species 

 that is mostly beneficial and should accordingly receive proper protec- 

 tion. Some years they begin mating in February, and I have foimd 

 them so engaged as late as April 21 (1887). They at once proceed to 

 repair the old nest, which they generally use. In southern Indiana 

 the favorite site is high up in the largest of the sShell-bark Hickories. 

 One such nest I have known to be occupied for neaAy twenty years. 

 Their call note is given as "Kee-aah," very shrill. Another note of the 

 breeding season is something like "Chirr'' or "Pii-chirr" when perched 

 near the nest (Bendire). I have never found its n^t in the bottom 

 lands, but in some regions they prefer such places. Mr. H.^'W. Mc- 

 Bride obtained a nest, with eggs, in Elkhart County, March 24, 1891. 

 Mr. L. T. Meyer informs me of a nest, with two eggs, incubation ad- 

 vanced, taken about 35 feet from the ground, in Lake County, April 

 19, 1885. Ordinarily, the most of our nests are found in March and 

 April. Usually but one brood is raised a year. The eggs are laid at 

 intervals of about two days. Sometimes, if the first eggs are destroyed, 

 this Hawk will lay another set, and as much as a fourth laying has 

 been known when something happened to the others. The period of 

 incubation is about four weeks (Bendire). The male renders some 

 assistance in this work, and at other times provides the female with 

 food. When disturbed during nesting time, instead of attempting to 

 defend their home, they usually fly about in circles high above, utter- 

 ing their shrill screech. The following excellent notes are from the 

 pen of Mr. H. W. McBride, a very enthusiastic collector, who has 

 contributed many valuable records regarding the birds of northern 

 Indiana: 



"Next to the Red-shouldered Hawk, this is the most common hawk 

 in northern Indiana. A few remain all winter, but most of them go 

 south late in the fall, returning again early in the spring, the advance 

 guard coming late in February, and by the middle of March they 

 may be seen circling in pairs about their old nesting places. At this 

 time they are quite noisy, and it is seldom that one or more can not be 

 heard uttering their shrill "squeal," and soaring about over every patch 

 of woods containing a coiiple of acres or more. 



