358 LAND-BIRDS AND GAME-BIRDS 
more often at the junction of two branches with the trunk, 
from forty to sixty feet above the ground. Such are the nests- 
observed near Beston, where the eggs are laid in the first week 
of May. Of these, the usual set of three or four average about 
1-90 X 1°50 of an inch, and are white, tinged with blue (some- 
times deeply), either unmarked, or with a few brown blotches. 
(c). The Cooper’s Hawks are common summer-residents in 
all the States of New England, but in many places are much 
less numerous than other species. Their general habits and 
manners are essentially the same as those of the Sharp-shinned 
Hawks, but they have much less ‘‘ dash,” and are not so bold. 
They are easily distinguished by their size. They may usually 
be seen flying just above the trees with a flapping of the wings, 
then a straight and rather measured sail, for they rarely move 
in circles. They feed upon rabbits, squirrels, water-fowl, and 
other birds, but not often on the smaller kinds, as I have seen 
these near them, or about their nests, disregarded. They may 
be seen to pursue flocks of wild pigeons or other migrants with 
a beat of the wings as rapid as that of their victims, and seiz- 
ing one to bear it to some grove. Sometimes, in passing 
through the woods, they suddenly pounce upon the Ruffed 
Grouse, for they do not hesitate to grapple with creatures much 
larger than themselves. At other times, they mark a Robin, 
and follow it wherever it goes, dashing between branches, 
through trees, and over the fields, rarely being disappointed 
in the end. If possible, they carry their prey to the woods, 
and I am inclined to think that during a continued residence 
in one place, they often resort to the same tree. They are well 
known to the farmers as ‘‘ Chicken” Hawks. 
(d). Their cries suggest the exclamation of an alarmed hen, 
and consist of several successive notes, which Audubon con- 
sidered similar to those of the Pigeon Hawk. 
IV. ASTUR 
(A) PALUMBARIUS (var. ATRICAPILLUS). (American) Gos- 
hawk. ‘‘ Partridge Hawk.” 
(In Massachusetts, a resident throughout the year, but very 
rare in the breeding-season and summer.) 
