EED-TAILED HAWK 137 



a. split squeal. 1 It is a hoarse, tremulous breathing 

 forth of his winged energy. But why is it so regularly 

 repeated at that height ? Is it to scare his prey, that 

 he may see by its motion where it is, or to inform its 

 mate or companion of its whereabouts ? Now he crosses 

 the at present broad river steadily, deserving to have 

 one or two rabbits at least to swing about him. What 

 majesty there is in this small bird's flight ! The hawks 

 are large-souled. 



March 23, 1859. As we entered Well Meadow, we 

 saw a hen-hawk perch on the topmost plume of one 

 of the tall pines at the head of the meadow. Soon 

 another appeared, probably its mate, but we looked in 

 vain for a nest there. It was a fine sight, their soaring 

 above our heads, present- -. 



ing a perfect outline and, ^"^~-m~.< \* 



as they came round, show- 

 ing their rust-colored tails — — -^ ,- 

 with a whitish rump, or, *-^- — J 

 as they sailed away from us, that slight teetering or 

 quivering motion of their dark-tipped wings seen edge- 

 wise, now on this side, now that, by which they balanced 

 and directed themselves. These are the most eagle-like 

 of our common hawks. They veiy commonly perch upon 

 the very topmost plume of a pine, and, if motionless, 

 are rather hard to distinguish there. 



1 [The note described is evidently that of the red-tailed hawk rather 

 than that of the other " hen-hawk," the red-shouldered.] 



