THE SHARP-SHINNED HAWK. 49 
INS | 
length: 10.00-12.00 (254-304.8) ; wing 6.60 (167.6) ; tail 6.00 (152.4); bill from 
nostril .40 (10.2). Adult female, length: 12.50-14.25 (317.5-3602); wing 8.00 
(203.2) ; tail 7.25 (184.2). 
Recognition Marks.—Little Hawk size; adult transversely barred, young 
heavily streaked below; barring of under wing surface conspicuous in flight; the 
distinction between the breast patterns of adults and young must be borne clearly 
in mind to avoid confusion. Like next species, but considerably smaller; tail not 
rounded. 
Nesting.—Nest: of sticks, twigs, and dried leaves; in trees at any height, 
or in hollow trees and cliff crannies—sometimes old nest of Crow or Magpie ts 
ased. Eggs: 2-5, bluish-, greenish-, or grayish-white, lightly or heavily spotted, 
blotched, marbled, or clouded with various shades of brown. Av. size, 1.53 x 1.18 
(38.9 x 30). Season: May; one brood. 
General Range.—North America in general, south to Panama. Breeds thru- 
out its North American range. 
Range in Washington.—Rather common summer resident and migrant thru- 
out the State at lower and middle altitudes, more common easterly; winters 
irregularly. 
Authorities.—A ccipiter fuscus, Gmelin, Baird, Rep. Pac. R. R. Surv. IX. 
RS, WO WS (CRaS, ILE In, IDES ere IDES Ils 185918), 
Specimens.—U. of W. P?. Prov. B. E. 
THE Hawks proper, of which this bird is a typical representative, may 
lack the spectacular wing-feats and noble bearing of the Falcons, but they are 
still very bold and rapacious birds. Indeed, it would be hard to picture a more 
alert and blood-thirsty creature than this sharp-taloned little Hawk as it scours 
the brush patches or open fields in search of feathered prey. The flight of 
the Sharp-shin is at times as swift as an 
arrow and as direct, but it is skilled in 
doubling and twisting; and no bird, save 
a Swift or a Swallow, can escape it in 
the open. Coming upon a flock of 
Blackbirds, the Hawk makes instant 
choice of a victim, and pounces like a 
flash upon it, either 
snatching it in mid- 
air, or bearing it to 
the ground and trans- 
fixing it with claws 
which pierce the vi- 
tals and cause instant 
death. If unsuccess- 
ful in its open attack, Dene 
the Hawk will either SHARP-SHINNED HAWK 
pursue thru the mazes CAPTURING RUSTY SONG SPARROW. 
Allan Brooks. 
