122 



Nesting. In trees, 35 to 75 feet from the ground. 



Distribution. Over eastern North America north to the limits of settlement. Breeds 

 in Canada wherever foimd. 



SUBSPECIES. Several subspecies of the Red-shouldered Hawk are recognized, 

 but only one, the Eastern Red-shouldered, the typical form, occiirs in eastern Canada. 



This is probably the most common Hawk in eastern Canada. It is 

 similar in habit to the Red-tailed except that it does not insist upon deep 

 woods for its nesting habitat but will build in almost any little patch of 

 woodland, sometimes in surprising proximity to settlement. 



Economic Status. This species is, fundamentally, very similar in 

 its food habits to the Red-tailed, but being a much smaller and lighter 

 bird the damage it can do is proportionately less, whereas its good offices 

 are scarcely if at all impaired. Of 206 stomachs examined, 3 contained 

 poultry; 12 other birds; 102, mice; 40, other mammals; 20, reptiles; 30, 

 batrachians (frogs, etc.); 92, insects; 16, spiders; 7, crawfish; 1, earth- 

 worm; 2, offal; and 3, fish. It will thus be seen that its diet is varied. 

 Whether the shrews, frogs, reptiles, and spiders are to be counted for or 

 against the species is open to some doubt, but the large number of mice 

 and insects against 3 of poultry and 12 birds obviously acquits the species 

 of the charge of doing much damage. 



342. Swainson's Hawk. fb. — la buse de swainson. Buteo swainsoni. L, 20. 

 Of about the same size as the Red-shouldered. It may occur either in a nearly black 

 phase, a light one, or any intermediate stage between. The characteristic light plumage 

 shows an evenly brown back, head, and upperparts, white underparts with a band of 

 vinaceous across the chest, and slight indications of bars of same colour on flanks. 



Distinctions. Many birds have the ends of their primaries suddenly reduced in width 

 as if a shaving had been taken from the edge with a pocket-knife. In this species the three 

 outer primaries are thus attenuated or emarginated. In the Red-shouldered Hawk, for 

 which certain plumages might be mistaken, four of the primaries are emarginated. 



Distribution. The prairie provinces and westward. North to the Arctics, wandering 

 casually to the lower Great Lakes. 



This species occurs in eastern Canada only as a rare straggler from 

 the west and should be identified with the greatest care. Though a 

 prairie bird, its habits are too similar to the last species and it is too rare 

 to require detailed mention. 



343. Broad-winged Hawk. fr. — la bttsb de penstlvanee. Buteo platypterus. 

 L, 15-89. The smallest of our Buteos. Adult — ^brown above, underparts all barred with 

 reddish brown and white in rather coarse pattern. Juveniles — ^brown above with more 

 or less white irregularly scattered through; below, white with brown stripes on breast 

 to throat and bars on flanks and legs. 



Distinctions. Size will distinguish this species from the young Red-shouldered Hawk 

 which juveniles may resemble. Three attenuated or emarginated primaries instead of 

 four will differentiate it from both that species and the Cooper's Hawk with which it also 

 might be confiised. 



Field Marks. Size, general coloration of adults, and its long, fine, sharp call like the 

 drawn-out squeak of a rusty barn-door hinge are good field characters. 



Nesting. In trees 25 to 70 feet from groimd. 



Distribution. Eastern North America northward to the bounds of settlement. Breeds 

 locally in eastern Canada in all except the most southern parts of Ontario and far south 

 in the Mississippi valley. 



Local in distribution and prefers the wilder sections. 

 Economic Status. Of 57 stomachs examined, 2 contained small birds; 

 15, mice; 13, other mammals; 11, reptiles; 13, batrachians (frogs, etc.); 



