50 



THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK 



Hawk, Red-tailed (continued) 



"hen hawk," it very seldom feeds upon birds or poultry. It 

 should be protected. Some misguided persons assume that this 

 hawk should be trapped because it feeds upon poultry. From 

 time to time farmers' sons try this method of ridding the farms 

 of these beneficial birds, believing them to be enemies of poultry. 

 While poultry is fed upon by hawks, it is usually the cooper or 

 the sharp-shinned hawk that is the actual culprit. 19-21 ; 22-24 



Call no. 

 Nu HR Immature Bird Perched on Broken Limb of Tree. (1902) 



This bird is probably watching for a mouse, a squirrel or a bird. 



Nu HR2 Two Birds on Nest in White Birch Tree. Decorah, Iowa. 

 (April 22, 1901). Hegner 



The nest is'usually in the fork of a tall tree, maple, beech, 

 elm, basswood, hemlock or pine, 40 to 80 feet from the ground. 

 The same nest is occupied year after year. Study its composi- 

 tion and structure. The tail of the adult bird is red, but that of 

 the immature is banded. 



Nu HR4 Two Young Birds Removed from Nest and Posed on 

 Fence Rail. Geneseo Bailey 



One of these birds was afterwards shot while it was feeding 

 upon a woodchuck. The young hawks remain in the nest for 

 some time after they are fairly good flyers. They are not inde- 

 pendent of the adults until they are able to capture their own 

 food. It takes a month or more for them to becom'e skilful 

 enough to catch live mice and woodchucks. Study the picture to 

 determine which feathers are the last to push through the down 

 of the young. 



Nu HR9 Male Perched on Stump over Traps Set for It 

 Note the band of spots across the. breast, a good field mark. 



Hawk, Sparrow {Falco sparverius sparverius) 



A summer resident throughout the State and breeds in almost 

 every community. In winter it is often found near cities and 

 villages, where it feeds largely on English sparrows. 10-11.5 



