BIRDS OF PREY 143 
birds should offer a bounty on his head and that of his 
relatives, the big Cooper liawk and the goshawk. For- 
tunately the last two are not numerous in the Land of 
Sunshine. 
The Sharp-shinned is a fierce defender of his home in 
the top of a pine or spruce. And this nest he has very 
likely seized by force from its owners, the magpies or 
squirrels or crows; for might is always right in the forest 
world, and whatever this brigand wants he takes. His 
nestlings receive such constant care and strong food that, 
by the time they are feathered and ready to leave the 
nest, they are noticeably larger than the parents. It is 
worth while to note, also, that the female is larger and 
fiercer than the male, consequently more rapacious. The 
note of the Sharp-shinned is in accord with his nature, a 
high-keyed shrill whistle or shriek, and is uttered when 
in triumph he dashes into a terrorized flock of small 
birds or down into a barnyard full of poultry. For he 
is no coward, and will attack a hen many times his own 
weight even though she be surrounded by her kin. As 
one writer says of him, “ He is the boldest fellow for his 
inches that wears feathers.” Certainly he is the most 
destructive desperado, without fear and without mercy. 
333. COOPER HAWK. — Accipiter cooperie. 
Famity: The Falcons, Hawks, Eagles, ete. 
Length : Male 14.00-17.00 ; female 18.00-20.00. 
Adult Male: Upper parts slate-color, top of head black; under parts 
white, heavily barred with chestnut ; tail rounded at end, barred with 
black, and tipped with white. 
Adult Female: Upper parts duller, top of head rusty black. 
