%f. (PaJuM^, (flsHrec,. 
S wAiysonf’s I-Iawk. — A pair of Swainson’s' 
Hawks having selected an old Crow’s nest in a 
small Oak sapling near a field in which I was 
ploughing a few Springs since, I had good oppor- 
tunity for observing some of their habits. For a 
number of days they were flying about over the 
fields and timber, gathering material for the nest ; 
being partial to a stalk-field, from which they 
carried many pieces of husk. Occasionally one 
would fly close over my team, caring nothing for 
my presence, even boldly pouncing upon a field- 
mouse only a few rods away, retiring to a fence 
to devour its prey. In course of a week the 
female stayed on the nest, and supposing the eggs 
had been laid, I climbed the sapling and found 
but one egg, which I left several days, and on 
returning found two eggs. One was elongated, 
the other of the usual shape ; both were white, 
with rich brown spots. Sets collected by me 
have mostly contained three eggs, much resem- 
bling those of the Red-tailed Hawk, hut smaller. 
Nests were old ones, which had been occupied by 
other birds. One exception, was a handsome 
nest in a very tall Hickory, and had not the birds 
been identified, the nest would have passed as 
that of the Red-tail. 
Although this Hawk is careless at times, and 
appears sluggish, yet he is capable of swift and 
graceful flight; often sailing to an immense 
height, from which he will descend in easy 
curves. 
An interesting feature of their migration is the 
habit of gathering in vast flocks as they proceed. 
— 0.&0. X. Mar. 1885. p,j<T. 
A Philadelphia Collection of Eg'g'Bof 
tfe* Aaptare*. 
Buteo swainsoni. 
Swainson’s 
Hawk. 
Two 
sets of three, five 
sets of two. 
Total : 
seven 
sets, sixteen eggs. 
O.&O. XIV. Mar. 1889 p.48 
Collection of Raptares Eggs. J.P.K. 
Swaiu^oii’s ttawk, 7-2, l-.t, ' 
O.&O. XV. Apr. 1890. p. 5Q 
