BIRDS OP PENNSYLVANIA. 79 



vations, as I have invariably found' the concavities to be well marked. 

 Dr. Wood states : " That the nests in this locality (Connecticut) are 

 neatly built, very symmetrical, large in proportion to the size of the 

 bird, and of sufficient depth for safety to the eggs, and to conceal the 

 occupants." 



The eggs measure about 1.92 by 1.50 and usually number from three 

 to four, although it is not a rare occurrence to find five. Their color 

 is a dull, bluish -white. Exceptional sets are sometimes taken with 

 numerous and unevenly distributed brown or reddish spots. A gen- 

 tleman of my acquaintance once took four eggs from a nest which 

 were void of spots. The female, although driven off when the first 

 complement was taken, made in the same nest a second deposit of 

 four eggs, and, strange to say, the last were all spotted. The period 

 of incubation is given by Gentry to be eighteen days. Although, in 

 this particular, my observation has been somewhat limited, I am fully 

 persuaded that the time required for this, likewise other of our 

 Rapacia, is, certainly, three weeks, or over. The young leave the 

 nest in about twenty-five days ; when about eight or nine weeks old 

 they are able to provide food for themselves; to this time, however, 

 they are carefully guarded by the old birds, and fed almost entirely 

 on a diet of small birds, young chickens, and some few insects. 



FOOD. 



Dr. Coues says in speaking of this Hawk : " Possessed of spirit 

 commensurate with its physical powers, it preys upon game little if 

 any humbler than that of our more powerful Falcons. It attacks and 

 destroys hares, grouse, teal, and even the young of larger ducks, in the 

 state in which they are known as c flappers,' besides capturing the 

 usual variety of smaller birds and quadrupeds. It occasionally seizes 

 upon reptiles or picks up insects. In securing its prey it gives chase 

 openly and drives down its quarry with almost incredible velocity." 

 Dr. Wood writes that "it is bold and fearless, often driving within a 

 few rods of the farmer and seizing his chickens, which it carries to its 

 young or devours itself. If once introduced to the young poultry, 

 you may rest assured of a daily call until all are gone, unless you are 

 fortunate enough to secure the intruder. It sometimes attacks the 

 full-grown poultry with success. A gentleman once informed me 

 that while standing by his wood-pile, close by the house, one of these 

 birds dove upon a full-grown rooster, within six or eight rods of him. 

 The fowl ran some two or three rods and dropped dead. The Hawk 

 soon returned to devour his game, as it was too heavy for him to carry 

 away, but his audacity cost him his life." Such exploits as these, 

 however, are by no means uncommon, as is well-known to every or- 



