BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 91 



when it sailed off until out of my sight, without uttering a single cry, 

 or deviating from its course." 



It would seem, however, that the disposition of this bird, under cer- 

 tain circumstances, is very variable. Mr. A. G. Boardman, of Maine, 

 who has found several nests, and secured the eggs, finds it to be cour- 

 ageous and spirited. A man whom he had employed to obtain a nest, 

 was attacked with great fury, while ascending the tree ; his cap was 

 torn from his head, and he would, have been seriously injured if the 

 bird had not been shot. Another instance is mentioned by Dr. Wood, 

 where this Hawk attacked a boy climbing to her nest, fastened her 

 talons in his arm, and could not be removed until beaten off and killed 

 with a club. 



FOOD. 



Gentry says : u The food of this species consists of small birds, 

 small quadrupeds, reptiles and insects," " When skimming athwart 

 a meadow or similar situation, it moves with trifling noise, and when 

 it espies a reptile or a quadruped, pounces down upon it with the 

 fleetness of an arrow, seldom missing its aim, and bears it away to an 

 adjoining tree, where it feasts upon its still quivering flesh with self- 

 complacency. When it visits the farm-yard, which it seldom does, 

 there is manifested much of the fearless spirit of lineatus. It comes 

 directly to the spot and not in a stealthy, circuitous manner, after the 

 fashion of borealis, alights upon the summit of a tall tree, singles out 

 its victim and darts down upon it, bearing it away, even when the 

 proprietor is within easy distance. The coolness and audaciousness 

 of the act, for the time being, disconcert the actions of the latter,' and 

 entirely eclipse his presence of mind. In some districts young 

 chickens and goslings are the objects of these visits ; but with us tame 

 pigeons and the smaller fowls." Gentry. 



In speaking of this bird, Dr. Wood says : " Seldom, if ever, does it 

 seize its prey on the wing, but secures it mostly on the ground, sub- 

 sisting on frogs, snakes, mice and small birds, devouring the latter 

 without removing the feathers. This Hawk in its habits is not as neat 

 in preparing its food as most of its genus ; holding its prey with both 

 feet, it tears and eats without much regard to cleanliness or feathers." 



In twelve specimens examined by myself, four revealed mice ; 

 three, small birds ; four, frogs ; one, killed the 22d of May, 1882, was 

 gorged with cray-fish, with which were traces of coleopterous insects. 



