136 BIRDS OF ALABAMA 



RED-SHOULDERED HAWK: Buteo Uneatus lineatus 



(Gmelin). 



State records. — The northern form (lineatvs) of the red- 

 shouldered hawk occurs irregularly in Alabama, chiefly as a 

 winter visitant, but a single summer record indicates that it 

 may straggle southward even at that season. It is known at 

 present from 5 specimens collected as follows : 3 by Dr. W. C. 

 Avery, at Greensboro, August 19, 1889, January 28, 1890, and 

 December 27, 1893; 1 by William Matthews, at Castleberry, 

 November 25, 1911; and 1 by L. S. Golsan, at Autaugaville, 

 January 14, 1912. 



FLORIDA RED-SHOULDERED HAWK: Buteo lineatus 

 alleni Ridgway. 



State records. — The Florida red-shouldered hawk is one of 

 the commonest and most widely distributed of the birds of 

 prey, and is one of the species commonly known as "hen 

 hawk." Specimens have been examined from Leighton (July 

 13), Greensboro (May 25, August 10, September 28, Novem- 

 ber 26, December 23), Auburn (October 3), Barachias (No- 

 vember 27), Seale (May 20), Bon Secour (October 25), and 

 Bayou Labatre (February 9). 



Nesting begins early in March and by the last of the month 

 the eggs are laid. Nests with eggs were found at Leighton, 

 March 25, April 9, and April 18 ; at Prattville, March 28, 1909 ; 

 and at Barachias, April 11, 1909 (hatching) . 



General habits. — This hawk is found in every tract of 

 swampy or bottom-land timber and in such situations it seeks 

 its food and rears its young. It often lives rather close to 

 human habitations and is not found to any extent in the moun- 

 tains. Rarely does it extend its visits to the barnyard, though 

 it occasionally picks up a fowl which has wandered into the 

 brush or woodland. Its alarm notes, which are frequently 

 uttered, are loud and piercing, resembling the syllables 

 kee-ah, kee-ah. These are often imitated by the blue jay. 



The nest is usually placed in a deciduous tree, from 30 to 60 

 feet above the ground, and is composed of sticks, lined with 

 Spanish moss, bark, green leaves, pine needles, etc. 



