106 MARSH HAWK. 



our fields. It is seldom indeed seen to chase birds on wing, although I have 

 met with a few instances; nor is it much in the habit of carrying its quarry 

 to any distance; for generally as it observes an object suited to its appetite, 

 it suddenly checks its speed, and almost poising itself by a few flaps of its 

 wings, drops with astonishing quickness on its unfortunate victim, which it 

 usually tears to pieces and devours on the spot. If disappointed, however, 

 it rises as quickly as it dropped, and proceeds as before. Whilst engaged in 

 feeding, it may very easily be approached, surprised, and shot, by an expe- 

 rienced sportsman, for it rises in a flurried manner, and generally cuts a few 

 curious zig-zags at the outset. To obtain it, one has only to mark the spot 

 with accuracy, keep his eye upon it, and advance with his gun in readiness, 

 for he will probably get within a few yards before the bird rises. I have 

 frequently seen it shot in this manner. At other times, by watching its- 

 beats over a field or meadow, one may obtain a good opportunity by conceal- 

 ing himself near a spot where he has seen it miss its object, as it is sure to 

 repass there in a short time, at all events before it removes to another field. 

 When wounded and brought to the ground, it makes off on the approach of 

 its enemy by long leaps, and at times so swiftly that great exertion is requi- 

 site to overtake it; and when this is accomplished, it throws itself on its 

 back, strikes furiously, and can inflict pretty severe wounds with its very 

 sharp claws. 



This species flies very high at times, and in a direct course, as if intent on 

 proceeding to some great distance; but as I observed that this frequently 

 occurred when the bird was satiated with food, I have thought that it pre- 

 ferred this method of favouring digestion, to its more usual mode of sitting 

 on the top of a fence rail, and there remaining quiet until again roused by 

 the feeling of hunger. 1 have often seen it, after sailing about in circles for 

 a long while, half-close its wings, and come towards the ground, cutting 

 curious zig-zags, until within a few feet of it, when it would resume its usual 

 elegant and graceful mode of proceeding. 



I have observed it in our western prairies in autumn moving in flocks of 

 twenty, thirty, or even so many as forty individuals, and appearing to be 

 migrating, as they passed along at a height of fifty or sixty yards, without 

 paying any attention to the objects below; but on all these occasions I could 

 never find that they were bent on any general course more than another; as 

 some days a flock would be proceeding southward, on the next to the north- 

 ward or eastward. Many times have I seen them follow the grassy margins 

 of our great streams, such as the Ohio and Mississippi, at the approach of 

 winter, as if bent on going southward, but have become assured that they 

 were merely attracted by the vast multitudes of Finches or Sparrows of 

 various sorts which are then advancing in that direction. 



