The Sharp-Shinned Hawk (Acdpiter veiox) 



By Kdward Howe Forbush 



W'f can say imicli in faxor of most birds. Imi tlic Sharp-sliiuncd Hawk is 

 an exception to tlic rule. I'^oni the standpoint of the utilitarian, it must be re- 

 garded as bad, and even vicious. It is a l)old marauder, and, judged by the 

 standard of the poultryman, the game-keeper, the sportsman, or the bird-pro- 

 tectionists, it is a convicted felon. Its trade is battle, murder and sudden death, 

 and, unfortunately, the .greater numlicr of its victims are the weak and defenseless 

 young of game birds and poultry, and the beautiful and useful songsters of field, 

 farm, grove, orchard and forest. 



This small bird is one of a group of "ignoble" Hawks. — the Accipiters — 

 which may be distinguished, from the .Sparrow-Hawk, Pigeon-IIawk and other 

 Falcons by their comparatively short, rounded wings and their long tails. The 

 Falcons have a slightly shorter tail and long, pointed wings. The Buteos, or 

 Buzzards, have long, broad wings and a broad tail, and often soar in circles ; but 

 the Accipiters move across the country by alternately flapping and sailing. The 

 Sharp-shinned Hawk is the smallest of the Accipiters, and is sometimes wrongly 

 called the Sparrow-Hawk or Pigeon-Hawk. In .general appearance and habits, 

 it resembles two larger species, Cooper's Hawk and the American Goshawk. 

 Cooper's Hawk is next in size to the .Sharp-shiinied Hawk, and the two are much 

 alike in appearance. The adults of each species in some parts of the country- 

 are known as "Blue-Darters." These three species, because of their numbers, wide 

 distribution, and great rapacity, probably commit greater and more widespread 

 havoc among birds and game than any other Hawks in North America. The larger 

 pernicious Falcons are generally far less common than the Accipiters. and the 

 Buzzard Hawks and Marsh Hawks are generally more useful than injurious to 

 man. 



The Sharp-shinned Hawk is larger than eillu-r the Sparrow Hawk or the 

 Pigeon-Hawk, and is rather longer and slimmer. Specimens average a little 

 over a foot in length. The largest specimens arc about two inches smaller than 

 the smallest specimens of the Cooper's Hawk. The phnnage at full maturity is 

 usually slaty or bluish gray above ; the under parts are w^hitish barred and marked 

 with reddish. Immature birds are brown above and streaked with dark brown 

 or reddish brown below. The tail is square-tipped and somewhat liea^ ily barred. 



The distribution of this Hawk is nearly co-extensive with the continent of 

 North America. It breeds throughout most of the United States and Canada, 

 and winters from the latitude of Massachusetts to Central .Vmerica. In September, 

 numbers of these Hawks may be seen high in air, mi.grating southward in a 

 leisurely manner, and so they follow the southern flight of the smaller birds on 

 which they prey. 



From April until early June, according to the latitude, the wooing of the 

 Hawks begins. Perched in an' exposed position, the male issues his shrillest call 

 notes, moving about from place to place until a female responds. The ardent 



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