47 
Family Falconidce. — Eagles and Hawks. 
This family has been long regarded as decreasing in east- 
ern Massachusetts, and the present inquiry confirms that im- 
pression. Twenty-eight persons report eagles as decreasing, 
and most others report them as very rare, or even nearing 
extinction. Mr. W. R. Stearns of Pittsfield, Berkshire 
County, however, says that he sees a slight increase in the 
number of eagles there. The golden eagle is very rare, but 
has been noted occasionally within twenty years. The bald 
eagle is not rare at some localities along the coast, especially 
in Plymouth and Barnstable counties; hut old gunners say 
that it is not nearly so common as years ago. 
Hawks are reported as generally decreasing by thirty- 
seven observers; others report them as rare; seventeen, as 
in usual numbers; hut thirteen note an increase. The re- 
ports of increase come mainly from Berkshire, Hampshire 
and Franklin counties; some come from the outlying towns 
of Worcester County. Only five observers east of Worces- 
ter County see any increase in the number of hawks, and 
these are from the more remote towns. East from Worces- 
ter County thirty-one report a decrease; west from Worces- 
ter County six note an increase and four a decrease. The 
reports seem to indicate that hawks, especially the larger 
species, while on the whole diminishing in eastern Massa- 
chusetts, are at least holding their own generally in the 
western counties, except perhaps in Berkshire, where the cor- 
respondence indicates a falling off in some sections. The 
reports are not detailed enough to enable many comparisons to 
be made as to the relative scarcity of the species, but the 
red-tailed hawk seems to have fallen off as much as any. On 
the other hand, the red-shouldered hawk, while decreasing 
locally, seems to be holding its own in many localities, and 
even occupying more territory than formerly. This seems 
to indicate that it is, in a measure, taking the place of the 
redtail in the breeding season in the eastern part of the State, 
where the former is growing rare. The marsh hawk seems to 
hold its ground fairly well in southeastern Massachusetts 
and also in some other parts of the State. 
