. The birds of Ohio; a complete scientific and popular description of the 320 species of birds found in the state . rtain appearance of strengthand power not manifest among the smaller hawks, particularly the smaller Red-shouldered. In spite of the fact that thisl)ird sometimes visits the poultry-vard, and may feast daintily uponsparrow or pigeon, I cannot helpadmiring him. His sagacity isshown in the selection of a nestingsite, which is the taller and lesseasily accessible trees, and in hishabit of showing himself as littleas possible in the vicinity of hisnest, except high above it. Tothe in
. The birds of Ohio; a complete scientific and popular description of the 320 species of birds found in the state . rtain appearance of strengthand power not manifest among the smaller hawks, particularly the smaller Red-shouldered. In spite of the fact that thisl)ird sometimes visits the poultry-vard, and may feast daintily uponsparrow or pigeon, I cannot helpadmiring him. His sagacity isshown in the selection of a nestingsite, which is the taller and lesseasily accessible trees, and in hishabit of showing himself as littleas possible in the vicinity of hisnest, except high above it. Tothe initiated the whereabouts ofthat carefully arranged bundle ofsticks may be guessed from themanner in which the high-soaringbird liehaves. Unless the nest isactually threatened there is nodemonstration of hostility, but adignified, watchful indifferenceto an unwarranted meddling witiiprivate affairs. But once threatenthe nest and the speck in the upperair descends like a bolt out of aclear skv. swerving aside just atthe point of contact and sweepingupward again for a renewed at-tack. Even the fiercest birds ^vill. Telephoto By the AuthA RED-TAILS NEST. not actually strike the human intruder, much as he may deserve punishment,but the angry scream and the booming air beneath the half-closed wings, trythe nerves of the bravest, while he is perched in the lofty tree-tops. Much abuse has been heaped upon this birds head, the most of it unwar-ranted. Careful study has pro\-ed that chickens are molested only whenother food is unobtainable. And when birds have been killed in the act ofraiding the ponltrv-vard tliey have been young birds, for the must part. On THE WESTERN RED-TAIL 405^ the other hand, the harmful animals and insects which this hawk destroys faroverbalance the depredations upon poultry. It is no more fair that all hawksshould be killed because one occasionally destroys chickens than it is to kill allcats because one sometimes becomes a chicken killer. The cry of Red-tail is
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, booksubjectbirds, bookyear1903
