12 BIRDS OF PREY. 
Small birds and mice constitute its principal food; and ac- 
cording to Wilson, it follows often in the rear of the gregarious 
birds, such as the Blackbirds and Reedbirds, as well as after 
the flitting flocks of Pigeons and Robins, picking up the strag- 
glers, the weak and unguarded, as its legitimate prey. Some- 
times, when shot at without effect, it will fly in circles around 
the gunner and utter impatient shrieks, — probably in appre- 
hension for the safety of the mate, or to communicate a cry 
of alarm. 
The Pigeon Hawk is not a common bird in Massachusetts, though 
a few pairs breed in the State; and it has been found in summer in 
Connecticut, as well as in Illinois and Ohio, though MclIlwraith 
considers it a migrant only in southern Ontario. It breeds spar- 
ingly in the northern portions of New England, the Maritime Prov- 
inces of Canada and north to the lower fur countries, and in winter 
ranges to the Southern States. 
Note. — One example of the European MERLIN (Falco regulus) 
has been captured off the coast of Greenland. 
