THE RED-TAILED BUZZARD. 37 



under the branch on which it is perched, when it merely watches his motions 

 as he proceeds. It seldom alights on fences, or the low branches of trees, 

 but prefers the highest and most prominent parts of the tallest trees. It 

 alights on the borders of clear streams to drink. I have observed it in such 

 situations, immersing its bill up to the eyes, and swallowing as much as was 

 necessary to quench its thirst at a single draught. 



I have seen this species pounce on soft-shelled tortoises, and amusing 

 enough it was to see the latter scramble towards the water, enter it, and save 

 themselves from the claws of the Hawk by immediately diving. I am not 

 aware that this Hawk is ever successful in these attacks, as I have not on 

 any occasion found any portion of the skin, head, or feet of tortoises in the 

 stomachs of the many Hawks of this species which I have killed and exa- 

 mined. Several times, however, I have found portions of bull-frogs in their 

 stomach. 



All our Falcons are pestered with parasitic flying ticks. Those found 

 amongst the plumage of the Red-tailed Hawk, like all others, move swiftly 

 sidewise between the feathers, issue from the skin, and shift from one portion 

 of the body to another on wing, and do not abandon the bird for a day or 

 two after the latter is dead. These ticks are large, and of an auburn colour. 



The body of the Red-tailed Hawk is large, compact, and muscular. These 

 birds protrude their talons beyond their head in seizing their prey, as well 

 as while fighting in the air, in the manner shown in the Plate. I have caught 

 several birds of this species by baiting a steel-trap with a live chicken. 



I have only here to add, that amongst the American farmers the common 

 name of our present bird is the Hen-hawk, while it receives that of Grand 

 mangeur de ponies from the Creoles of Louisiana. 



Red-tailed Hawk, Falco borealis, Wils. Am. Orn., vol. vi. p. 76. Adult. 



American Buzzard or White-breasted Hawk, Falco leverianus, Wils. Am. Orn., vol. vi. 



p. 78. 

 Buteo borealis, Red-tailed Buzzard, Swains. & Rich., F. Bor. Amer., vol. ii. p. 50. 

 Red-tailed Hawk or Buzzard, Falco borealis, Nutt. Man., vol. i. p. 102. 

 Red-tailed Hawk, Falco borealis, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. i. p. 2G5; vol. v. p. 378. 



Adult Male. 



Bill light blue, blackish at the tip, greenish-yellow on the margin towards 

 the base; cere greenish-yellow. Iris hazel. Tarsi and toes yellow; claws 

 brownish-black. Upper part of the head light brownish-grey. Loral space 

 and under eyelid white. A broad band of dark brown from the angle of the 

 mouth backwards. Neck above and on the sides reddish-yellow, with large 

 deep brown spots. Back deep brown; scapulars of the same colour, broadly 

 margined and tipped with brownish-white. Lesser wing-coverts chocolate- 



