194 LIFE HISTORIES OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



Even in the more southern parts of then- rang-c niditication rarely l)egin!> 

 before April In. In the southern New England States, as well as in New 

 York, T'ennsylvania, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Cooper's Hawk 

 occasionally begins laying about May 1, but usuall}- not Ijefore the second 

 week of tliis month and frequently later. Even in Lower California and 

 southern Arizona it rarely lays as early as April 20, and in the mountain 

 regions of Colorado and ^lontana tlie time is protracted until the beginning 

 of June. 



Mr. Denis Gale, of Gold Hill, Boulder County, Colorado, writes me: 

 "On June 25 I found a nest of a Cooper's Hawk containing four unmarked 

 bluish white eggs, resting upon some thin flakes or scales of spruce bark, 

 which alone constituted the lining of the nest, the available contrivance for 

 Avhich was a large bunch of matted scrub, an excrescence upon a horizontal 

 limb, about 18 inches from the trunk and about 20 feet from the ground. 

 This bunch consisted of a wonderful growth of very densely interlaced twigs, 

 the surface of which offered a commodious nesting site, having not only an 

 ample flat area, but a siifflcient depression in its center to meet every require- 

 ment for a nest. On July 2 these four eggs were represented by four bright 

 lively Hawklets, densely covered Avith wdiite down. Neither food nor feathers 

 of any kind were found in or about the nest. The character of this species 

 is bold and brave, especially so in defense of its young. It has a rapid and 

 graceful flight. The skill Avith which it pursues its devious path along a 

 creek bottom, noiselessly following the intricate opening close to tlie ground 

 through the trees and undergrowth is remarkable. 



"From the date at which they have their j'oung to provide for, until late in 

 the season, this seems to be their favorite mode of hunting, l)ut especially is it 

 so after the hen Grouse, accompanied by her young Ijrood, has sought such 

 localities for food and water, and where they loiter throughout tiie summer." 



On the Pacific coast, in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho, I found Cooper's 

 Hawk rather rare, while in southwestern Montana it is more abundant than any 

 of the other Raptores. It is also common in Arizona 



ThrouglKtut the gi-eater part of the year Cooper's Hawk is usiuilly a 

 silent bird and rarely utters any notes, but during the mating season it 

 frequently emits a cackling or chattering sort of noise, also a note something 

 like "tick, tick" frequently repeated. When disturbed on the nest, it usually 

 screams shrilly and violently, but generally flies off and watches proceedings 

 from a safe distance. Others, however, show a good deal of courage at times, 

 and boldly dash at the intruder. 



As far as known only a .single brood is raised in a season, incid)ation last- 

 ing about twenty-four days, the male* assisting to a slight extent only in these 

 duties, but keeping its mate supplied with food. The number of eggs laid 

 varies from two to six. In the more southern parts of its range it usually 

 lays three or four, and sometimes but two eggs, while along our northeni 

 border and the southern New England States, they range from four to six in 

 number, sets of five being rather common. 



