92 BIRDS OF OHIO. 
and poultry it destroys.” Fortunately it is not numerous 
enough in our state to inflict any appreciable damage. 
127. (337.) Burro BorEALIS (Gmel.). 171. 
Red-tailed Hawk. 
Synonyms: Buteo aquilinus, Falco borealis, F. aquilinus. 
Red-tailed Buzzard, Hen Hawk. 
Kirtland, Ohio Geol. Surv., 1838, 161, 178. 
This large hawk appears to be migratory to some extent, 
passing farther south in winter when the ground is covered 
with snow. However, it is a fairly common resident over 
the entire state. It is sometimes absent from the northern 
counties for two or three weeks during the period of snow 
covered ground, usually in the early part of February. It 
has the undeserved title of “Hen Hawk,” which should be 
transferred to the Goshawk. While it is true that this large 
hawk sometimes feeds upon poultry in some regions more 
than in others, it clearly prefers other quarry. Dr. 
Fisher says, “Abundant proof is at hand to show that this 
Hawk greatly prefers the smaller mammals, reptiles and 
batrachians, taking little else when these are obtainable in 
sufficient numbers ; but if hard pressed by hunger it will eat 
almost any form of animal life, such as poultry and other 
birds, insects, crawfish, or even offal or carrion. .... It 
is to be remarked that young Hawks are less particular as 
to the character of their food, and they are more frequently 
found to be the depredators of the poultry yards.” Rev. 
Mr. Henninger has found that in southern Ohio, at least in 
Pike and Scioto counties, the Red-tails feed almost exclu- 
sively upon birds and poultry. 
With the evidence all in we must say that while this large 
hawk is sometimes a menace to the poultry yard and at such 
times must be killed, it is generally far more beneficial than 
injurious, and therefore should not be persecuted unto death 
whenever found. 
This hawk may be seen soaring in ascending spirals al- 
most anywhere in any region of the state on fair days. It 
nests in the woods, but apparently feeds as much in the open 
