Large Nests in Trees 
839. Red-shouldered Hawk: Buteo lineatus (Gmel.) 
Adult—Upper parts dark brown, slightly marked with rusty 
brown; shoulders rufous; tail very dark, with white bars; 
under parts reddish buff, with very fine white bars; in the 
immature birds the under parts are white, spotted with 
brownish gray. Length—é, 18.30; 2, 20.35. 
Breeding Range—Throughout the Eastern States. 
The nest is much like that of the red-tailed hawk. The 
eggs are very similar, but smaller and usually more heavily 
marked, but they vary greatly, some being very faintly washed, 
while in others the ground colour is almost hidden by the heavy 
splotches of reddish brown. Size—2.15 x 1.65. 
The Red-shouldered Hawk is the most common of the larger 
hawks, and may be found frequenting the damp woods and the 
vicinity of ponds. 
The breeding season commences in April. 
339a. Florida Red-shouldered Hawk: B.1. alleni Ridgw. 
Breeding Range—Texas, Florida, and on the Atlantic coast to 
South Carolina. 
A southern sub-species of the red-shouldered hawk; it is 
smaller, the head is lighter, and the under parts are not so dis- 
tinctly barred. 
The nest is placed in large trees, and is made of twigs, green 
leaves, and Spanish moss. The eggs resemble those of the pre- 
ceding species. This is a very common bird in Florida, being 
found throughout the pine woods and particularly near the rivers 
and in the cypress swamps, where it may frequently be seen 
perched on the lower branch of a tree, watching for its prey. It 
is a remarkably tame bird, and will seize any small rodent or other 
prey without the slightest regard for the onlooker. Iam inclined 
to believe this southern variety destroys far more birds than does 
the more northern red-shouldered hawk. 
The breeding season begins in March. 
342. Swainson’s Hawk: Buteo swainsoni Bonap. 
Adult §—Upper parts dark brown; feathers margined with 
rufous; forehead nearly white; under parts and throat white; 
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