54 
OHIO EXPERIMENT STATION: BULLETIN 250 
GOSHAWK, Astur atricapillus (Wils.) 
The most destructive representative of the hawks is the Gos¬ 
hawk, but it is of such rare occurrence in the state that, from an 
economic standpoint, it need not be considered. The food is similar 
to that of the two preceding- species, except that larger game is taken. 
In consideration of its food propensities, no regret need be felt that 
it is scarce and is becoming scarcer. 
RED-TAILED HAWK, Buteo borealis borealis (Gmel.) 
Of the three representatives of the genus Buteo found in the 
state, the Red-tailed Hawk is the largest and most powerful. 
This species and the closely related Red-shouldered Hawk are com¬ 
monly referred to as “Chicken” or “Hen” Hawks, but wrongly, as 
they are among the most beneficial of the birds of prey. Its move¬ 
ments are slow and deliberate, lacking the dash and daring of the 
Sharp-shinned Hawk and its nearest congener. Sometimes it will soar 
for hours, describing wide circles and ascending to a great height, 
even passing beyond the range of human vision. Because of its size, 
and also because of being one of the more common species, its influence 
for good or evil to agricultural interests makes the study of its food 
a matter of great economic importance. The farmers, who as a 
class derive the greatest benefit from them, are the most pronounced 
enemies of these valuable birds, because of the mistaken belief that 
they feed on poultry; whereas, the food consists of mice, shrews, 
and other destructive rodents up to the size of woodchucks, besides 
frogs, toads, crawfishes, snakes, lizards and various insects. Poultry, 
birds, and all other useful animals, including snakes and toads, do 
not amount to 15 percent of the entire food. Birds and poultry are 
most commonly taken late in the fall and winter, the victim usually 
being an old barnyard fowl or some wounded game bird, since these 
are most easily obtained and the result is little or no loss. (Fisher). 
Individuals of this, as well as of other beneficial species, have been 
known to become poultry thieves, but such instances are exceptional; 
when this is the case, the shooting of such individuals is justifiable. 
RED-SHOULDERED HAWK, Buteo lineatus lineatus (Gmel.) 
In habits, this hawk is very similar to the preceding. Its smaller 
size and bright rufous wing-coverts serve to distinguish the two 
species. The call note of the Red-shouldered Hawk is a fierce 
kee-you , kee-you , repeated a number of times while sailing majestically 
aloft on set pinions. The diet of this species is more varied than 
that of most birds of prey, and comprises mammals, birds, snakes, 
frogs, fish, insects, centipedes, spiders, crawfishes, earth-worms, and 
snails. It is especially fond of frogs, yet mice furnish fully 65 per¬ 
cent of its food, aside from other small mammals such as squirrels, 
