BIRDS OF PREY 



(337) Buteo borealis borealis 



(Cind.) (Lat.. northern). 



RED-TAILED HAWK; "HEN 

 H A W K . ' ' Four ouler primaries 

 emarginate or notched. Ads. — 

 Plumage as shown; the tail bright ru- 

 fous, crossed near the tip by a narrow 

 black band. /;«. — Back with some 

 whitish mottling; tail the same color 

 as back, crossed by numerous dark 

 bars; sides and breast more 

 heavily streaked and barred than in 

 the adults. L., 22.00; Ex., 52.00; 

 VV., 16.00; T., 9.50; Tar., 2.75. 



Range — North America, east of 

 the Rockies. A lighter form, KRI- 

 DER'S HAWK (B. b. krideri), is 

 found on the plains from Minn, and 

 N. Dak. south to Mo. HARLAN'S 

 HAWK (B. b. harlani), found in 

 the Gulf States, has the tail of the 

 adults mottled with dusky. 



before it has fairly started in flight. The Goshawk strikes 

 with such swiftness and strength that the whole side of his 

 victim is often torn out at the first impact. 



HARRIS'S HAWKS are sluggish species whose habits 

 are largely of the same character as those of vultures — 

 scavengers. They are Mexican hawks, but are found along 

 our southwestern border. 



RED-TAILED HAWKS are one of our largest, hand- 

 somest and best known species. As they frequent the open 

 chiefly, when engaged in hunting, they suffer greatly from 

 the shotguns of farmers who suppose them to be the hawks 

 that have so persistently been taking their poultry. In 

 reality, a pair of Red-tails would be an excellent investment 

 for every farmer to have on his acres, for they live almost 

 wholly on small mammals and reptiles, seldom touching any 

 form of bird life unless their regular food supply is exhausted. 



Red-tails are powerful, although not speedy, in flight. 

 During migrations, and often in play, they soar to great 



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