Ifil 



pciiclicc, ;;i\.'s llifce niiil four clavs, acconliii^' to s\\U\ 

 iis tile liiui' icMiiiisilc lor (he I'oiisUiKiion oT [he iicsl. 



Various wriicis assert that dry grass, leaves, moss, 

 i'U'., aid in (he iii;iko-up of the nests; sueli, no doubt, 

 is the case, bul as previously stated, 1 have found 

 stieks and twigs to solely constitute the nests. 



Incubation is aUernately engaged in by both birds, 

 which, while they show gnat solicilude for their off- 

 spring, repelling all bird intruders with Ihc mosi dc 

 lerinined zeal and imgnacity, will, when uiolest(!d by 

 man. show marked limidity. and leave to his desecra- 

 lion their nest and its contents. The young are care 

 fully watched and fed by the parents, chiefly on a diet 

 of small birds — sparrow-s principally — until, (!eiiir\ 

 says, they are abouf si.K weeks old, when tiiey are able 

 to provide food for fliemsel ves, 



FOND OF POULTRY .\ND SONG BIRDS. 



This hawk occasionally feeds upon insects, mice and 

 reptiles, but the greater portion of its food consists of 

 wild birds and poultry, particularly young poultry. 

 When a pair of Sharp-shinned or Cooper's Hawks nest 

 in the neighborhood of a farm, where young chickens 

 can readily be cai>tnred. they, if not speedily killed, 

 will visit the place almost daily until the young chicks 

 have all been destroyed, and if the hawks are not mo- 

 lested after a few visits to the coops, they seem to be- 

 ciune miu-e bold and daring every day. 



KILLS n.VME BIRDS. 



This hawk does not by any means devote his at ten 

 tion exclusively to young poultry when he comes about 

 the farm yard, but often may be seen to attack and 

 kill chickens when two-thirds or even full grown. 



