IKE RED-TAILED BUZZARD. 
87 
under the branch on which it is perched, when it merely watches his motions 
as he proceeds. It seldom alights on fences, or the low branches of trees, 
but prefers the highest and most prominent parts of the tallest trees. It 
alights on the borders of clear streams to drink. I have observed it in such 
situations, immersing its bill up to the eyes, and swallowing as much as was 
necessary to quench its thirst at a single draught. 
I have seen this species pounce on soft-shelled tortoises, and amusing 
enough it was to see the latter scramble towards the water, enter it, and save 
themselves from the claws of the Hawk by immediately diving. I am not 
aware that this Hawk is ever successful in these attacks, as I have not on 
any occasion found any portion of the skin, head, or feet of tortoises in the 
stomachs of the many Hawks of this species which I have killed and 
examined. Several times, however, I have found portions of bull-frogs in 
their stomach. 
All our Falcons are pestered with parasitic flying ticks. Those found 
amongst the plumage of the Red-tailed Hawk, like all others, move swiftly 
sidewise between the feathers, issue from the skin, and shift from one portion 
of the body to another on wing, and do not abandon the bird for a day or 
two after the latter is dead. -These ticks are large, and of an auburn colour. 
The body of the Red-tailed HaVk is large, compact, and muscular. These 
birds protrude their talons beyond their head in seizing their prey, as well 
as while fighting in the air, in the manner shown in the Plate. I have caught 
several birds of this species by baiting a steel-trap with a live chicken. 
I have only here to add, that amongst the American farmers the common 
name of our present bird is the Hen-hawk , while it receives that of Grand 
mangeur de ponies from the Creoles of Louisiana. 
Red-tailed Hawk, Falco borealis , Wils. Amer. Orn., vol. vi. p. 76. Adult. 
American Buzzard or White-breasted Hawk, Falco leverianus, Wils. Amer. Orn., 
vol. vi. p. 78. 
Buteo borealis, Red-tailed Buzzard, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer., vol. ii. p. 50. 
Red-tailed Hawk or Buzzard, Falco Borealis , Nutt. Man., vol. i. p. 102. 
Red-tailed Hav , Falco borealis , Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. i. p. 265 ; vol. v. p. 378. 
Adult Male. - 
Bill light blue, blacaisn at the tip, greenish-yellow on the margin towards 
the base ; cere greenish-yellow. Iris hazel.' Tarsi and toes yellow ; claws 
brownish-black. Upper part of the head light brownish grey. Loral space 
and under eyelid white. A broad band of dark brown from the angle of the 
mouth backwards. Neck above and on the sides reddish-yellow, with large 
deep brown spots. Back deep brown ; scapulars of the same colour, broadly 
margined and tipped with brownish-white. Lesser wing-coverts chocolate- 
