84 THE HAWKS AND OWLS OF THE UNITED STATES. 



tli at of the Ked-shouldered Hawk. (Auk, VII, 1890, 56.) Mr. W. E. D. 

 Scott secured a pair at Tarpon Springs, Fla., just as they were starting 

 to build a nest. (Auk, VI, 1889, 243.) 



There is very little on record regarding the food, habits or, for that 

 matter, the life history in general of this Hawk, which so seldom crosses 

 our southern border. It is not improbable that it resembles the Broad- 

 winged Hawk in habits as well as in the character of its food, though 

 unlike that bird, it is stated to be wary and difficult of approach. In 

 any event, its rarity within our territory precludes its having much 

 economic interest or importance. 



DESCRIPTION. 



Wing less than 13.50 inches (342 mm ). Middle toe longer than bare 

 portion of leg in front. Forehead, anterior space in front of the eyes, 

 cheek, and lower parts, pure white ; side of chest with patch of rufous 

 or cinnamon. A phase occurs in which the plumage is a uniform sooty- 

 brown or black. 



Length : 16 inches, (406 mm ) ; wing, 10.50 to 13.10 inches (267 to 332 ram ) ; 

 tail, 6 to 8 inches (152 to 203 nim ). 



MEXICAN BLACK HAWK. 



Urubitinga anthracina. 



The Mexican Black Hawk inhabits tropical America in general, rang- 

 ing northward as far as central Arizona (Yerde Valley) and southern 

 Texas. It is so limited in its distribution within our territory as to war- 

 rant brief mention only. 



The food of this Hawk consists mostly of the lower forms of verte- 

 brate life and, rarely, of birds. Mr. O. O. Nutting states that it feeds 

 largely upon reptiles. (Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., vol. v, 1882, p. 404.) Dr. 

 E. A. Mearns, speaking of it in Arizona says : " Occasionally one was 

 seen eating fish upon the sandy margin of the river." (Auk, vol. in, 

 1886, p. 72.) Mr. Eobert Ridgway mentions a specimen which was 

 shot while feeding on a curassow [Crax). (Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., vol. 

 VIII, 1885, p. 581.) 



Mr. F. E. Sumichrast, speaking of their food in southwestern Mexico,, 

 says: "The kind of food is varied ; being naturally voracious, they 

 despise no living prey, and I have taken our of their stomachs small 

 quadrupeds, young birds, reptiles, Crustacea, and insects. They are 

 fond of fish, and on the borders of shallow brooks they easily catch 

 the smaller kinds. (Bulletin U. S. Nat. Mus. No. 4., 1876, p. 42.) 



Dr. E. A. Mearns states that it migrates from the vicinity of Cainp 

 Verde in fall and does not appear again until spring. It breeds to the 

 northern limit of its range. The eggs, usually two in number, are de- 

 posited about the first of May, and by the middle of June the young- 

 are half grown. The nest is placed in some large Cottonwood or other 



