lo6 RED-SHOULDERED HA WK IN CAPTIVITY. 



THE RED-SHOULDERED HAWK IN CAPTIVITY. 



BY H. C. OBERHOLSER, WASHINGTON, D. C. 



That many of the various species of Raptorial birds may 

 be successfully reared in confinement has been, by numerous 

 experiments, amply demonstrated. While it is of course 

 true that all birds, by adaptation to the circumstances of 

 their imprisonment, alter to a greater or less extent certain 

 of their natural habits, yet the advantages accruing to the 

 naturalist through rearing birds, especially the rapacious 

 species, in captivitj', are too obvious to require either ex- 

 planation or enumeration. Aside from the value of direct 

 observations upon the habits of birds in confinement, is the 

 comparison of traits modified by such abnormal conditions, 

 with those known to exist in a state of nature. The obser- 

 vation of food habits is of much importance, although the 

 results obtained from captive birds must be considered in a 

 measure negative ; since their altered environment induces 

 different discrimination in regard to the acceptance or 

 rejection of certain elements of their available food-supply. 

 It is, however, the comparison of these differences which 

 gives to experiments of this character much of their value 

 and interest. 



One of the easiest of the Raptores to rear in confinement 

 is the Red-shouldered Hawk {Buteo lineatus\ for under 

 favorable circumstances it readily adapts itself to the society 

 of man. When brought up as a pet it may be allowed 

 comparative freedom, sometimes becoming much attached to 

 its owner, as may be inferred from the following extract 

 taken from Dr. A. K. Fisher's excellent monograph of 



