232 ACCIPITER FUSCUS — SHARP SHINNED HAWK. 



2. AcciPiTER Fuscus, Gmclin. — The Sharp Shinned Hawk. 



Wilson's Amer. Orn., V., pi. 45, fig. 1, Young Female, VL, 

 pi. 46, fig. 1, M le; Audubon's B. of Am., Oct. ed., 1., pi. 25. 



This handsome little Hawk is common in Ohio, and may 

 olten be seen in pursuit of its prey during the spring, sum- 

 mer and fall months. Si)ecimens are often shot in the 

 vicinity of Cleveland. 



We have never seen the nest of this bird, but it has been 

 iound in various places within the State. The eggs are 

 four in number, nearly alike rounded at each end. Color 

 white, with a bluish tinge, and thickly blotched with choc- 

 olate. The nest is built either in a tree or a hole in a rock, 

 and consists of a few sticks and grass very loosely put 

 together. 



The food of the Sharp Shinned Hawk consists of every 

 animal he is capable of capturing, from the common pas- 

 senger pigeon to insects. Stnall quadrupeds, such as mice 

 and moles, are often taken, and snakes and frogs form part 

 of the feast. Little chickens are often captured, and 

 Nuttall relates an incident in which one of these birds 

 carried off" a chicken before his face, while the housewife 

 was endeavoring to frighten it away, and also of another, 

 that came every day to a farm house and carried off a 

 chicken each time, until twenty or thirty were taken. 



In size there is a great variation between the sexes, and 

 also between individuals of the same sex. Wilson described 

 the two sexes as different species. The tail is long, nearly 

 even at the end. Wings short; tarsi and toes very slender, 

 and claws sharp. 



In the adult the upper parts are dark brown, approach- 

 ing to black, with an occasional feather of an ash color. 

 Under part light reddish, darker on the legs, and banded 

 with white. Throat and under tail coverts white. Tail 

 ashy, with four broad bands of black, and tipped with white. 

 Wing quills brownish black, with obscure bands of blackish, 



