even further in their architecture and line this rude foundation with grass, moss, hair, and feathers. At 
best the nest is but an artless affair and shows but the crudest workmanship. 
Mr. Audubon described a nest which he found on Galveston Island, Texas. It was about twelve 
inches in external diameter, with a cavity two and one-half inches deep by eight inches in diameter. 
Another nest of this species, taken near Lake Erie, is described to me as about fifteen inches in external 
diameter by eight in depth. It is but slightly concave on top, the cavity having no well marked out- 
line. It is composed chiefly of coarse sticks and grass. These two nests are larger and more elaborate 
than usual, at least so far as Ohio specimens are concerned. 
EGGS: 
The complement of eggs varies from four to six. The shell is rough and unpolished and has a faint 
greenish-blue tint. At first glance most eggs seem to be unmarked, but upon closer inspection the shell 
is found to be clouded with blotches of various sizes of the faintest yellowish-brown or lilac. These mark- 
ings are so obscure as to appear due to dirt, but the most careful cleaning will not remove them. The 
majority of them are on the surface as can readily be demonstrated by immersing the egg in an acid 
solution. This will dissolve away the outer coating of the shell and leave it immaculate except for 
a few formerly deep shell-marks about as faint as the surface marks just removed. Some eggs are un- 
mistakably marked with a few light yellowish-brown blotches, spots and irregular streaks. Besides these 
marks which are natural to the shell, the eggs are often stained by the grass and dirt upon which they 
lie. One egg in my collection has eight or ten spots of dark brown, almost black, about its base. 
They measure in long-diameter from 1.76 to 1.86, and in short diameter from 1.38 to 1.45. Three eggs 
before me that are fair examples of the usual sizes, measure respectively, 1.38 x 1.85, 1.33 x 1.80, 1.43 x 1.85. 
DIFFERENTIAL POINTS : 
See Broad-winged Hawk, page 214. 
REMARKS : 
Fig. 1. Plate LIX, illustrates the ordinary variations in the size, shape, color, and markings of 
the eggs of the Marsh Hawk. 
As its name implies, this Hawk generally frequents marshy land, and so constant is this habit that 
it has become a striking characteristic of the species in whatever part of the world it is found. Its chief 
article of food in Ohio consists of field mice. These little animals are extremely numerous in damp 
prairies and furnish an abundant supply of fresh meat, not only for this Hawk, but for the Short-eared 
Owl, Sparrow Hawk, and other raptores as well. I have several times found the Short-eared Owl and 
Marsh Hawk inhabiting the same field, and apparently upon good terms. This close association suggests 
many points of similarity between the two species in their habits of nesting and pi’ocuring their living. 
The nestlings of the Marsh Hawk are homely and ungainly little things, and like the young of all 
Hawks require much attention and instruction after they leave the nest, before they become expert 
enough to obtain their own food. Their first plumage is a reddish down ; after their feathers appear 
both sexes are still much alike, and also very similar in color to their mother. 
Mr. C. J. Maynard states that the female will leave her nest when she considers herself in danger 
and run off some distance before taking wing. This habit makes it difficult to surprise her sitting, and 
consequently her nest is hard to find. Many other birds which nest on the ground have this same 
trick, and they practice it so effectively that by this means alone, many eggs are probably saved from 
the clutches of that deadly enemy to all birds, the insatiable egg collector. 
212 
