CATALOGUE OF VERTEBRATES. 575 



" The habits of this species vary but little from that of the 

 next. It is less disposed to attack poultry, preferring mice, and 

 is generally found about swamps and woodland. They breed 

 yearly within State limits." 



A. cooperi, Bonap. Cooper's Hawk. Chicken Hawk. 



Bare tarsus shorter than middle toe ; tail round ; back bluish 

 gray; top of head black; female duller in color than male. 

 Length, 18 inches; tail, 8 incheSi 



" During the spring and early summer is not frequently seen, 

 but from July till midwinter is an abundant, bold and destruc- 

 tive hawk. As is the case with the pigeon hawk, this species is 

 more destructive to poultry than larger species." 



A. atricapillus, Wils. American Goshawk. 



Tarsus feathered half way down in front ; feathers scarcely 

 separated behind ; color slate blue, with white stripe over eye ; 

 tail with four dark bars. Length, 24 inches; tail, 11 inches. 



" Occasionally abundant, but most frequently very scarce ; the 

 goshawk appears to be nowhere well known. It seldom fre- 

 quents the barnyards, but is not unfrequently seen sailing over 

 overflown meadows, especially in March and April. If it 

 breeds within State limits, it is probably in the northern moun- 

 tainous sections." 



BUTBO, Ouv. 



B. borealis, Gmel. Eed-tailed Hawk, or Buzzard. 



Tail bright chestnut red above ; general color dark brown, 

 much barred and streaked. Length, 23 inches ; tail, 8| inches. 



" Known as the ' henhawk,' as well as ' red-tail.' This is the 

 most abundant species found in the State. 



"This hawk wiU never molest poultry if mice are to be 

 caught by them, which is always or nearly so the case, and for 

 this reason this species should be as carefully preserved as it is 

 now persistently destroyed. Fifteen mice have been found in the 

 digestive tract of a single specimen. Breeds in heavy timber, 

 frequently raising two broods." 



B. latissimuB, Wils. (pmnsylvanicus, Wils.) Broad-winged Hawk. 



Brown above, whitish below, variously streaked and barred ; 

 dark cheek patches ; tail with a few broad dark bands, alter- 



