BIRDS OF PRKY 



(343) Buteo platypterus 



(Vicitl.) 



BROAD - WINGED HAWK. 

 Three outer primaries notched; with- 

 out any barring. Ads. — Plumage 

 as shown; grayish-brown above; 

 white below, streaked on tlie breast 

 and barred loelow with rusty brown; 

 tail with three broad blackish zones. 

 Im. — Shown on the right; upper 

 parts brownish-black, mixed with 

 tawny or whitish edges of the feathers ; 

 below whitish, more or less streaked 

 with dark brown; tail crossed by si.x 

 or eight narrow dark bars. L., 15.00; 

 K.X., 33.00; T., 7.00. Eggs — Whit- 

 ish, more or less blotched with brown 

 and gray, 1.95 x 1.55; nest of sticks 

 lined with pieces of bark. 



Range — Breeds from N. B., Ont., 

 and Sask. south to the Gulf. Winters 

 from N. J. and III. southward. 



feet up; again, they may be on ledges of cliffs or on the 

 ground in open prairie land. The nests are made of sticks 

 and, although rather flat on top, are usually quite well lined 

 with grass, weeds or bark. 



BROAD-WINGED HAWKS are quite evenly distributed 

 over eastern North America. The great Mississippi River 

 murks the western boundaries of this species just as it 

 marks the eastern ones of the last. While they are not very 

 active, a trait, and perhaps a commendable one, common to 

 all Buteos, they often delight in soaring high over the woods 

 or fields, apparently just for exercise, for their hunting is 

 accomplished by quietly perching on a suitable place to 

 command a good view of a considerable area of ground, and 

 suddenly dropping upon the squirrel or other rodent that 

 first shows itself. They also catch many frogs, larvae of 

 large moths, grasshoppers, and other insects. 



They are woodland birds and commonly nest in the 

 middle of extensive tracts. They are rather solitary in their 

 habits during the breeding season, and but one pair will be 



20Q 



