Sharp-shinned Hawk 169 



Distribution. — The whole of North America, breeding from Alaska 

 and Hudson Bay and Newfoundland south to the southern border of 

 the United States ; wintering from about 40" N. to Guatemala. 



The Sharp-shinned Hawk is a common bird throughout Colorado 

 from the plains to abo\it 10,000 feet in the mountains, though chiefly 

 breeding in the latter. A fov/ birds are resident throughout the year, 

 but the greater number are migrants from the south. 



The following are the principal notices of its occurrence : Boulder co., 

 resident in the valley, breeding in the mountains (Gale) ; Breckenridge, 

 breeding (Carter) ; Barr Lake, common on migration (Hersey & 

 Rockwell) ; El Paso co., March and April (Aiken coll.) ; Manitou Park, 

 October (Colorado Coll. Mus.) ; Baca co.. May (Warren) ; Wet Moun- 

 tains, common to 10,000 feet (Lowe) ; Mesa co., breeding, not known to 

 winter (Rockwell) ; La Plata co., breeding (Morrison). 



Habits. — This is one of the most abundant of Hawks 

 throughout the United States, and nothwithstanding 

 its small size is well known for its dash and boldness. 

 It preys almost entirely on other birds, often tackling 

 species as large or larger than itself, such as Mourning 

 Doves, Robins and Grackles ; it has a special predilec- 

 tion for young chickens, and unless checked will clear 

 a poultry-yard in a very short time. It is impossible 

 to regard it as useiul or beneficial, except that it destroys 

 large numbers of young sparrows. Its flight is very 

 swift, and it will dash on its prey in the air, on the ground 

 or even when sheltered in a bush. 



Morrison found a clutch of three eggs on June 22nd, 

 1886, near Fort Lewis ; an old Magpie's nest, the roof 

 of which had collapsed, was made use of, a few leaves 

 and feathers having been added to form a fining. It 

 was twelve feet above the ground. The eggs are described 

 as white with a purplish tinge, heavily blotched with 

 brown, in one case so as to form a complete cap to the 

 end of the egg. 



Bendire states that the usual nest is a bulky one, 

 placed in a fir tree or occasionally on cliffs. The eggs, 

 four or five in number, vary considerably ; they are 



