78 THE HAWKS AND OWLS OF THE UNITED STATES. 



set is two, though three, and occasionally four or five are found. In 

 Texas it commences nest-building in March, while in the northern 

 United States it is the last of April before it begins, and the first of 

 June before the young appear. 



By preference it frequents the timber in the vicinity of streams, 

 though often it is found far out on the prairie, where its only perch is 

 the earth mound of some mammal, or some other slightly elevated 

 knoll. In the fall this species congregates in large flocks, which often 

 number several hundred individuals, and in certain localities where 

 food is abundant they remain together. When the bird first starts 

 from the ground the flight is heavy and clumsy, but in a few moments 

 it becomes easy and graceful and may be long protracted. At times 

 the flocks or even individuals will mount high in air and circle for 

 hours, seemingly for no other purpose than amusement. 



When captured young it makes a very interesting pet and soon be- 

 comes tame, as the following, from the pen of Mr. Eobert Eidgway, 

 testifies: "At our camp in Parley Park we reared four young birds of 

 this species, which were taken from their nests while in the downy 

 state. As they grew up under our care they became very pleasing 

 pets, being exceedingly docile, and much attached to those who fed 

 them. When sufficiently old to use their wings they showed no dispo- 

 sition to leave, although they ay ere allowed full liberty all the while ; 

 and though they made frequent tours of inspection over the neighbor- 

 ing meadows, and occasional foraging excursions among the flocks of 

 Blackbirds (Scolecophagus cyanocephalus) which frequented the vicinity, 

 they seldom went far away, and always returned after a short absence. 

 They were fed principally upon bits of fresh beef and mutton, varied 

 occasionally by the carcasses of birds we had skinned. Their chief 

 amusement about camp consisted in chasing grasshoppers over the 

 ground, which they pursued by leaping after them, with the wings ex- 

 tended $ but when not engaged in this occupation they usually perched 

 quietly upon the fence near by or upon the tents." (U. S. Geo!. Explor. 

 of the Fortieth Parallel, King, vol. IV, 1877, p. 587.) 



DESCRIPTION. 



Only three outer w T ing feathers, with inner web distinctly cut out. 

 Tail grayish brown, sometimes with a hoary tinge, crossed by a number 

 of narroAv dusky bands, which grow less distinct towards base. Above, 

 grayish brown; forehead, chin, and throat, white ; upper part of breast, 

 plain rufous, cinnamon, or grayish brown ; rest of lower parts, buffy 

 white, sometimes unspotted, but usually more or less barred or spotted 

 with whitish. From the above there are all phases of plumage to a 

 uniform sooty brown. 



Length: 19.50 to 22 inches (495 to 559 mni ); extent, 48 to 56 inches 

 (1220tol423 nim ); wing, 14.50 to 17.25 inches (368 to 438 mm ); tail, 8 to 

 10 inches (203 to 254 mm ). 



