Jan., 1915 
BIRDS OF THE BOSTON MOUNTAINS, ARKANSAS 
43 
Circus hudsonius. Marsh Hawk. On the top of one of the highest hills 
of the range there was a clearing of about fifteen acres surrounded by timber. 
It was over this field that most of the individuals recorded were seen. Ap- 
pearing in fall by October 7, departing before the winter months began, they 
reappeared in spring as early as March 10. 
Accipifer velox. Sharp-shinned Hawk. Not as numerous as at lower 
altitudes. Seemed to occur only as a transient, although a single bird was 
seen July 24, 1913. April and October were the months in which nearly every 
record was made. In the last named month they appeared by the 2nd. 
Accipiter cooperi. Cooper Hawk. A fairly common resident ; most num- 
erous during the warmer months. The proximity of the forest about nearly 
every farmhouse insures a great degree of immunity to this hawk in its fre- 
quent raids on poultry. The drought during the summer of 1914 caused most 
of the mountain streams to dry up. Along the course of one of these brooklets 
I flushed, on several occasions, this hawk in the act of feeding upon minnows 
in the desiccating pools. 
Buteo borealis borealis. Bed-tailed Hawk. Occurring principally as a 
fall and winter visitant. After November 15, and throughout the winter 
months, it proved to he the commonest hawk. It is my opinion that, although 
a larger bird than the Bed-shouldered, it does not as a rule soar as high in 
hunting. An adult bird taken January 3 proved typical of this form. 
Buteo lineatus lineatus. Bed-shouldered Hawk. Although Howell states 
( Birds of Arkansas), that he did not meet with this species in the mountainous 
sections of the state, I found it to be the most abundant, and, with the Cooper, 
the only common hawk during the warmer months. It apparently does not 
winter, at least near the top of the range, as I found none after November. In 
spring it appeared during the first week in April. Fully grown young were 
on the wing June 30. 
Buteo swainsoni. Swainson Hawk. An adult of this species alighted in 
a tree not more than 35 feet overhead, in a woodland through which I Avas 
Avalking, October 1, 1914, alloAving of a close although brief scrutiny of a bird 
that I have been long acquainted with in the western states. Unfortunately, 
before I could swing my gun into position, it had flown away. It is. T believe, 
the first record for Arkansas. 
Buteo platypterus platypterus. Broad-winged Hawk. While T found 
this hawk only as a transient, it may occur as a summer resident, as it has 
been reported at that season from several localities within the state. I found 
it fairly common during May, and again in September ; in the latter month it 
appeared by the 17th. I found it only in heavy timber, usually perched on 
dead top-limbs of large forest trees. All specimens taken had the stomachs 
empty. 
Aquila chrysaetos. Golden Eagle. The first “norther” in the fall of 
1913 arrived October 18, bringing Avith it snow and freezing temperature. On 
the following day a farmer lhdng about four miles south of AAGusIoav saAv a 
goose belonging to him attacked and killed hv a great bird, which he was able 
to frighten aAvay before it began to devour its quarry. The man surmised that 
the bird would return, and set a steel trap nearby, baited with the goose. And, 
sure enough, on reaching his barnyard next morning he found the bird en- 
trapped, although held only by a single toe. This individual came into my pos- 
session and proved to be a nearly adult Golden Eagle. It constitutes the first 
definite record for the state. 
