FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES, ETC. 



199 



serve the reputation commonly attributed to the large Hawks of the 

 genus Buteo. 



The Sharp-shinned Hawk differs decidedly in habits from the 

 mouse- or insect-eating species, which watch for their prey from a 

 lookout and capture it on the ground. It is a fearless, daring, ag- 

 gressive bird, and flying swiftly, rather low, either in the open or 

 through woods, it makes sudden dashes at the frightened birds, which 

 hurry to cover to escape its talons. One hears a commotion among 

 the birds; calls of alarm, and a dark form darts through the foliage 

 in close pursuit, or, missing its aim, alights in the center of some 

 thickly leaved tree, there to await in silence a fresh opportunity. 

 Sometimes it may be seen soaring in narrow circles, when its dispro- 

 portionately long tail forms a good field character. 



It is usually a voiceless bird except during the nesting season, when 

 a too close approach to its nest causes it to utter its peculiar notes. 



" Of 159 stomachs examined, 6 contained poultry or game birds ; 

 99, other birds ; 6, mice ; 5, insects ; and 52 were empty " (Fisher). 



-f- Z**^ 333. Accipiter cooperi (Bonap.). Cooper's Hawk, Jt/.— Similar 

 to adults of the preceding, but larger and with the crown blackish. Im. — 

 Similar in color to young of A. 

 velox^ but larger. 6 L., 15-50; 

 W., 9-50; T., 7-75; B. from N., -55. 

 $ L., 19-00 ; W., 10-50 ; T., 9-00. 



Range. — Breeds from the Gulf 

 of Mexico to Newfoundland, and 

 winters from Massachusetts to 

 Mexico. 



Washington, common P. E. 

 Sing Sing, tolerably common P. R. 

 Cambridge, common T. V., Apl. ; 

 Sept. and Oct. ; not uncommon 

 S. R. ; rare W. V. 



Kest., in trees, twenty-five to 

 fifty feet from the ground. -Eggs., 

 three to six, pale bluish white, 

 sometimes lightly spotted with 

 brownish, 1-90 x 1-55. 



This species resembles the preceding in habits, but because of its 

 larger size is more destructive to poultry. 



"Of 133 stomachs examined, 34 contained poultry or game birds; 

 52, other birds; 11, mammals; 1, frog; 3, lizards; 2, insects; and 39 

 were empty " (Fisher). 



334. Accipiter atricapillus ( Wils.). American Goshawk. Ad. — 

 U'pper parts bluish slate-color; head blackish, a white line over and behind 



Fig. 68.— Rounded tail of Cooper's Hawk. 



