146 ZOOLOGY. 



see what lias disturbed his i^oultry yard. I believe it to be a constant resident, and to build 

 in the Territory. — C. 



Cooper's hawk is a common bird of prey in Oregon and "Washington Territories. I obtained 

 numerous specimens of it at Paget Sound and Fort Dalles. The characteristic variations in 

 size and color of this bird hold good in Oregon, scarcely any two specimens being there found 

 that are alike. An undoubted specimen of the A. Cooperi, shot at Fort Steilacoom in September, 

 1856, No. 584G, (590,) measured: length, 19; extent, 30 inches. — S. 



ACCIPITER MEXICANUS, Swain son. 



I 



Bine-backed Hawk. 



Accipiter mexiamuf, Sw. Faun. Bos. Am. Birds, p. 4."), 1831.) 

 Baird and Cassi.s, Gen. Rep. Birds, p. 17. 



Sp. Cn. — Almost exactly like A. Coojieri, but smaller; back more brownish; throat and under tail coverts white; other 

 under parts more rufous, with white bars and spots ; dark streaks only on breast. Young much tinged with reddish above ; 

 underneath, yellowish ; each feather streaked and often barred near its base. Female: length, 17 to 18 inches; wing, 9^ to 10 i 

 tail, 9; extent, about 30. Male : length, 15 to 16 inches; wing, 9; tail, 8. — C. 



This species of hawk I at first took for small individuals of the A. Cooperi, but the smaller 

 size, the larger proportionate size of the tarsi, and other peetdiarities, induced me to examine 

 the bird more carefully. Upon comparing the specimens with Cassin's description oi A. Mex- 

 icanus I found that they accorded. 



An individual killed in the summer of 185G, at Port Townsend, Puget Sound, was shot near a 

 salt marsh. While soaring about it resembled in its motions the common marsh hawk, or hen 

 harrier. — S. 



ACCIPITER FUSCUS, Bonaparte. 

 The Sharp-shinned HaAvk. 



Falcofuacus and F. diiljius, Gm. Syst. Nat. I, 280, 231, (1788.) 



Accipiler fuscm, Bonaparte, Comp. List, Birds, p. 5. 



A.fuscus, (Gm.) Baird and Cassin, Gen. Kep. Birds, p. 18. — Newberry, P. R. R. Rep , vol. VI, Zool., p. 74. 



Fiilco ve'ox and F. pennsylvanicus, Wilson, Am. Cm. V, 116, pi. 4.5, f. 1, and VI, p. 13, pi 4G, f. 1. 

 Sp. Ch. — Almost exactly like the two preceding in color, but much smaller. Yuung: above brown, beneath like young of 

 A. Cooperi in color. 

 Female: length, 12 to 14 in.; wing, 7| to 8; tail, 6^ to 7 inches; extent, about 25 inches. - 

 Male: length, 11 to 12 ; wing, 6 to 6^ ; tail 5 to 5 J. 

 No. 8514, (94,) Shoahvater bay, September, 1851. Length, 11.50; extent, 21.50 inches; male. 



This hawk I have not found common, and have observed only in the colder months. It has 

 habits and flight much like the preceding, but, of course, preys on smaller birds. Its small 

 size and long tail, besides its greater swiftness of wing, make it easily distinguishablo from the 

 pigeon hawk when flying. — C. 



The sharp-shinned hawk is quite common near Fort Steilacoom during the latter part of 

 summer and in early autumn. Like the pigeon hawk, they are quite scarce during the breeding 

 season in the more open country about the head of Puget Sound. They appear to descend 

 from the mountains as soon as the young birds arc well able to fly, and, in company with many 

 other species of hawk, remain on the prairies for several months before retiring to the south. 

 A few remain throughout the winter. — S. 



