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3?rotection of the Nest by a Marsh Hawk (^Civcus cyuncus liud~ 
sonius). — On an afternoon in the middle of last June I was walking 
through a large swamp in this vicinity (Brunswick, Me.), engaged in col- 
lecting botanical specimens, when I heard a peculiar cry, and looking up 
I saw a Marsh Hawk (Circus cyaneus hudsonius) sailing through the air 
distant about a quarter of a mile from whore I stood. The cry or call was 
frequently repeated, but I took no further notice of it at that time, and 
walked on through a growth of low trees towards a large open space of 
perhaps twenty acres. M^hen I reached the confines of this space the 
sound increased very much in intensity, and, looking up, I saw the Hawk 
diving with great rapidity towards me at an angle of about forty-five de- 
grees. I had hardly time to raise for my protection the cane which I held 
in my hand, before the Hawk came within a yard of my head and shot 
directly up into the air again. I saw that it wms a mate, and I then espied 
the female sailing high in the air. I Avalked on towards the middle of the 
open swamp, while the male flew off some distance and circled around, 
approaching and then receding from me. He finally made another dive 
for me, coming in a straight line for some distance with the same great 
rapidity as before. This time I struck at him with my cane, but did not 
succeed in hitting him on account of the suddenness of the dive, although 
he came within reach. This method of attack was repeated for nearly 
a dozen times, as I kept advancing in a direct line. After the third or 
fourth time he did not come nearer to me than twelve or fifteen feet, 
although he would dive as before. I had no thought of there being a nest 
in the vicinity ; but at last I almost stumbled upon one which was built m 
the ordinary manner upon the ground, and contained four young Hawks. 
After I reached the nest, the male flew to a distance and approached no 
more, but, together with the female, which had remained far off during the 
whole time, flew around in circles, and uttered a cry at intervals. I took 
one of the young Hawks, and went away. On the next afternoon I re- 
turned with a gun, expecting that the bird would dive as before if I walked 
across the open space, and that I might thus obtain a shot. But the Hawk 
did not repeat the mode of attack, not coming within range. I also at- 
tempted the same on the third day, without success, both male and female 
circling at a great height. 
An interesting question here arises as to the cause of the Hawk s change 
of manner. Did he perceive a purpose, on the second and third occasions, 
in my attempts to beguile him within range ? or had he learned from the 
first day’s experience that his efforts to drive me from the nest would 
prove unavailing ? The latter seems probable to me, — ■ Leslie A. Lee, 
BrunswicJc^ j^fe. BULlt £TiQtO» l&SO, p* / S' b ~ ^ 
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