FALCONID^ — DIUENAL RAPTORES. 457 



standing on a level with the bottom of the nests it is difScult for a 

 cUmber to reach inside. The males assist at intervals in bringing 

 sticks, and unite with their mates in scolding any ■witness of their 

 house-raising. 



The fecundity of tliis Hawk, under the peculiar persuasion of the 

 oologist, is not so great as its small congener's, yet it will lay three 

 clutches each year in as many nests, if the first and second sets are 

 taken. Five eggs is the usual clutch, though I have seen four eggs 

 incubated many times, and have taken an extreme clutch of sis. 

 The first egg laid is usually pale blue, the rest of the nest comple- 

 ment is lighter, and the eggs, as a whole, fade as incubation pro- 

 gresses. Two weeks are occupied in laying, and at the end of one 

 week's incubation the eggs can be easily blown. Sets with mark- 

 ings are not rare ; but the pigment is used sparingly, so as a rule 

 a fair series of these eggs present few changes and are unattractive. 



Coopers are the most deadly scourge in country farm-yards. 

 While the Buteos give warning of their whereabouts by soaring far 

 overhead for hours, and sometimes days, before dropping among the 

 young poultry, the dreaded Accipiters, sailing very low, will sud- 

 denly start over a wall and be off with a chicken without notice. 

 The old domestic cocks and Guinea-fowl will see a Buteo when but 

 a speck in the sky, and on a too near approach to the earth of 

 the common enemy sound an alarm which sends all the timid ones 

 to cover. But even after repeated raids of the Cooper, his advance 

 is so unheralded, and his dash so quick, that he gets off scot free, 

 even though the farmer stands in Ins doorway with gun in hand." 



Accipiter velox (Wils.) 



SHAEP-SHINNED HAWK. 



Popular synonyms. Little Swift Hawk ; Slate-colored Hawli; Bullet Hawk. 



Falco fuscus Gmel. S. N. i, 1788, 280, (not of Fabkicius. 1780).— Nutt. Man. i, 1833. 87. 

 Accipiter fuscus Bp. 1838.— Cass, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858. 18.— B.ubd, Cat. N. Am. B. 

 1859. No. 17.— CouEs, Key, 1872, 212; Cheek List, 1874, 338; 2d ed. 1882, No. 494; B. N. 

 W. 1874, 33.3.— KiDGW. Norn. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 432. 



