86 BIRDS OP PENNSYLVANIA. 



attached to the bird measured three feet, which was, probably, about 

 one- half its length. The Hawk evidently seized the snake when he 

 was partly in his hole, and was unable to draw him out ; and when 

 found the serpent was endeavoring to convince the would-be captor 

 that ' it is a poor rule that don't work both ways.' This was the adult 

 Red-tail Hawk." 



During the breeding season they frequently hunt together for food 

 for themselves and young, " and if, perchance, they spy a squirrel on 

 a tree, one will drive it while the other poises itself ready to seize it 

 if it dodges to the other side to evade the grasp of the first Hawk. 

 From the two there is no escape. Grasping it firmly by the neck, the 

 assailant practically demonstrates the possibility of garroting its vic- 

 tim, when the ill-fated squirrel is carried to the eyry, and torn to 

 pieces to satiate the cravings of their rapacious young." Wood. In 

 speaking of the food, Gentry remarks substantially as follows : They 

 feed principally on small quadrupeds, small birds and reptiles, and 

 that a few insects, mostly of a coleopterous and orthopterous char- 

 acter, are eaten by way of variety. " The food of the young consists 

 of grasshoppers and the flesh of birds and of small quadrupeds which 

 are taken as prey. The external covering is removed, and the flesh 

 is administered in small bits." Gentry. "It alights on the borders 

 of clear streams to drink I have observed it in such situations im- 

 mersing its bill up to the eyes, and swallowing as much as was neces- 

 sary to quench its thirst at a single draught." Audubon. 



Nuttall says that when straitened for food it is fierce and predatory, 

 prowling around the farm, will now and then seize a hen or chicken, 

 which it snatches by making a lateral approach. He further observes 

 that these depredations on the farm yard happen, however, only in 

 winter. " They are frequently seen near wet meadows, where mice, 

 moles and frogs are prevalent ; and also feed upon lizards, appearing, 

 indeed, often content with the most humble game." Nuttall. In 

 consequence of limited space it is impracticable to give in detail the 

 result of dissections which I have made of this species, but would 

 state briefly that my examinations of one hundred and seventy-three 

 Red -tails captured in Pennsylvania, chiefly in Chester county, revealed 

 in one hundred and twenty -eight, principally field-mice (arvieola), 

 and other small quadrupeds, also some few small birds ; in nine of 

 these one hundred and twenty-eight Hawks, small birds were present 

 in addition to the quadrupeds. Fourteen had fed on. chickens; six, 

 small birds Meadow Larks and Sparrows ; six, rabbits ; three, quail ; 

 three, red squirrels ; three, mice and insects ; three, snakes ; two, 

 remains of skunk ; two, carrion ; one, ham skin ; one, meat, probably 

 beef. I have repeatedly found three and four mice in the viscera of 

 one bird, oftentimes five and in a few instances as many as seven of 



