TEE BIRDS OF WISCONSIN. 
67 
Falco ricliardsonii RidgW. RICHARDSON'S MERLIN. 
A migrant only in Wisconsin, and not noted by us except 
in autumn. We have two specimens from Stevens Point and 
have taken it several times during the past ten years at Lake 
Koshkonong. Does not arrive until some time after the 
pigeon hawk, which is probably accounted for by the fact that 
it breeds much farther from our lines than that species. Our 
latest fall record is November 29 (1896). .Several specimens 
were taken by Thure Kumlien, but as he did not consider it 
specifically distinct from columbarius a reference to his notes 
is of little value in the present connection. A fine specimen in 
Mr. Skavlem's collection was shot near Janesville in the late 
fall of 188(3. This species is usually readily distinguished from 
the preceding by its slightly larger size, its conspicuously 
banded tail — the latter crossed by six distinct ashy-white bands 
— the amount of ochraceous brown markings on primary 
coverts, and withal its much lighter color in any plumage. We 
often get specimens however, which appear to be intermediate, 
or at any rate not typical of either, and hard to determine. 
Falco sparverins Linn. AMERICAN SPARROW HAWK. 
Common summer resident, especially in heavily wooded 
regions. Where the larger trees are cut away it is far less 
common during summer than formerly. So far as we are able 
to learn the sparrow hawk is found in all parts of the state, but 
more commonly in the heavily timbered hardwood districts. 
Pantlion haliaetus carolinensis (Gmcl.). AMERICAN OSPREY. 
Summer resident in all suitable localities in the state, but 
not common anywhere. Noted more frequently in autumn, 
September to November, on the larger lakes and rivers. More 
plenty in the Rock River Valley and thence eastward to Lake 
Michigan, than in the western part of the state, except along 
the Mississippi River. Summer resorts, with all the attendant 
features, have driven the fish hawks from many of the smaller 
lakes where they formerly bred. A specimen was found washed 
ashore on Lake Koshkonong, in June, 1898, with both feet 
firmly imbedded in the back of a very large carp ; the fish had 
proved too large for the hawk, and he had weakened in the 
struggle and drowned. 
