586. 
5:cono:jic relations of our birds* 
The young are fed upon grasshoppers, mice, Robins, Snowbirds and small 
birds. The food of the old bird is the same with the addition of lizards and oc¬ 
casionally chickens. When grasshoppers are plenty these form a considerable 
part of its food (Wilson). Chiefly grasshoppers, mice, gophers, etc. (Cooper). 
Small birds, but chiefly quadrupeds, reptiles and insects (De Kay), Small birds, 
young chickens, mice, lizards, snakes and grasshoppers (Samuels). Sparrows, 
mice, grasshoppers and crickets (Audubon). The Cliff Swallow, Field Sparrow 
and other birds, mice, lizards, snakes and grasshoppers (Brewer). Sparrows, the 
Brown Thrush and other birds, lizards fSceloporusJ, field-mice and noxious in¬ 
sects (Coues). Small birds, field-mice, shrews and small reptiles (E. Micheaerj. 
172. Butfx) borealis (Gm.),Vieill. RED-TAILED BUZZARD; HEN 
HAWK. Group II. Class c. 
In speaking of this Hawk and its close allies Dr. Coues says: “They are un¬ 
fitted, both by their physical organization and temperament, for the daring feats 
that the Falcons and Hawks execute, and usually prey upon game disproportion¬ 
ate to their size, which they snatch as they pass along. I have, however, found 
nearly the whole of a rabbit in its craw.” While such sluggish species are far 
less liable to be destructive to mature bix’ds, they may be expected to be propor¬ 
tionally even more dangerous plunderers of birds’ nests than the swifter winged 
species. Necessarily restricted to slow-moving prey, while their appetite for 
flesh remains, they are forced to a diligent and scrutinizing search, and are thus 
likely to be brought in contact with the hidden nests of birds. Of two Hawks 
■which prey upon birds, the addicted nest-robber is the more dangerous. 
Food: Hens, frogs and lizards (Wilson). Small quadrupeds and poultry (De 
Kay). Very destructive to poultry, and feeds upon the Ruffed Grouse and 
hares (Samuels). Small quadrupeds, small birds, and snakes (Brewer). Mar¬ 
mots (Richardson). 
173. Buteo lineatus (Gm.), Jard. RED-SHOULDERED HAWK. Group 
III. Class b. 
A common summer resident, keeping closely to the woods except during the 
migrations. 
Food: One specimen examined had eaten only grasshoppers and beetles. 
Larks, Sandpipers, Ring-necked Plovers and Ducks (Wilson). Partridges, Pig¬ 
eons, wounded Ducks, Red-winged Blackbirds, squirrels, cotton-rats, meadow- 
mice and frogs (Audubon). Small birds and quadrupeds (De Kay). Frogs, cray-fish 
and insects, rarely troubling large game (NuttaU). It is a dexterous catcher of 
frogs, with which it sometimes so stuffs itself that it can hardly fly (Brewer). 
Frogs, cray-fish and insects (Nuttall). 
174. Buteo Swainsoni, Bp. SWAINSON’S BUZZARD. Group II. Class c. 
Not common. A summer resident. 
Dr. Coues says of this species: “ Though really strong and sufficiently fierce 
birds, they lack the ‘ snap ’ of the Falcons and Asturs; and I scarcely think they 
are smart enough to catch birds very often. I saw one make the attempt on a 
Lark Bunting. The Hawk poised in the air, at a height of about twenty yards, 
for fully a minute, fell heavily with an awkward thrust of the talons, and 
missed. . . . They procure gophers, mice and other small quadrupeds, both 
by waiting patiently at the mouth of the holes, ready to claw out the unlucky 
