Page:Field key to the land birds .. (IA fieldkeytolandbi00knob).pdf/42

12 FIELD KEY TO THE LAND BIRDS.

12

gray above iinclerparts whitish. P'eniale and young very different from the male, being dark reddish or yelloAvish brown all over, except the tail coverts, which are conspicuously white in both sexes, a mark This is the distinguishing this from all other hawks. commonest hawk, and is often seen flying low over the meadows, hunting for frogs and mice. He keeps to the same district all summer, goes South in winter, and often returns to the same place the next year, building his new nest on the top of those of previous Though large, he is weak, and shakily built, years. and even small birds have no respect for him.

17.

ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK.

—

Arcliihuteo

Length, 22 inches. Brown lagopus Sancti Johannis. face and upper part of tail feathers whitish, but very

He may, sometimes entirely black. however, always be recognized by his feathered legs. Though a large, strong bird he preys almost entirely on mice and reptiles. A Northern hawk, sometimes found here in winter.

variable, being

18. haliaetus

OSPREY, OR FISH-HAWK. carolinensis.

— Length,

Pandion Black

23 inches.

The Fish-hawk is easily above and white below. recognized by his long wings and heavy flight. It is interesting to watch him as he hovei-s over rivei-s and He sails perhaps two or ponds in search of fish. three hundred feet above the water, and when he sees a fish near the surface suddenly stops, apparently fastened in the sky, making no visible motions. After a few moments he drops like a shot for about fifty feet, and poises nailed in the sky as motionless as He repeats this process until he is about before. twenty-five feet from the Avater, and there he stays Then, quick until the fish offers him a good chance. as lightning, he dives entirely below the surface, and He shortly after emerges with the fish in his talons. then shakes off the water, and flies in his heavy way to some favorite tree, where he can devour his prey. This is a summer bird, wandering South in winter.