170 NESTS AND EGGS OF 



April and as late as the last week of June ; the birds seldom occupy a 

 nest the second time. 



Mr. J. Parker Norris has a large series of these eggs in his collec- 

 tion, consisting of seventeen sets, ranging in number from three to 

 five, and one containing the unusual number of seven eggs ; the dates 

 on which they were taken is from April n to June 26. Most of these 

 eggs were collected by the experienced oologist, " J. M. W.," Mr. C. 

 L. Rawson, of Norwich, Conn. Mr. Norris also describes seventeen 

 eggs which were laid in succession by a single bird between May 23 

 and June 25.* 



The eggs of the Sharp-shinned Hawk, Mr. Norris states, are sub- 

 ject to great variation in markings, and yet, as a rule, they can be iden- 

 tified at a glance. With the exception of the Sparrow Hawk, Tinnun- 

 culus sparverius, they are the smallest laid by any of the hawks found 

 in North America, and among the most beautiful eggs of any of the 

 Raptores. Their ground color varies from bluish-white to grayish- 

 white, spotted, blotched, speckled, streaked and clouded with light 

 fawn color, burnt umber, chestnut, lavender-gray, chocolate, russet- 

 brown and cinnamon, exhibiting an endless variety of bold and indis- 

 tinct patterns of coloration and design. The usual form of the egg is 

 spherical, of nearly equal size at both ends. The average size is 



1.50x1.16. 



333. Accipiter cooperi (BONAP.) [431.] 



Cooper's Hawk. 



Hab. North America at large; greater portion of Mexico. 



Distributed throughout temperate North America at large as a 

 summer resident, and well known to the farmers by the name of 

 Chicken Hawk. Its flight is easy and usually slow, but the bird is 

 quick in its movements ; its long tail serving the purpose of a rudder 

 as it suddenly pounces upon the object of its pursuit or quickly ascends 

 into the air. This and the last species are perhaps the boldest depre- 

 dators of the family. They are shy and difficult of approach, yet their 

 imprudence often proves fatal to them. They do not hesitate to attack 

 chickens in the presence of their owners ; they also feed largely upon 

 small quadrupeds, weasles, squirrels and young rabbits ; snakes and 

 reptiles are among their victims. 



A specimen of this bird is in my collection which was killed by a 

 weasel in mid air ; the weasel sucking the blood of the hawk, while 

 the bird was struggling with its intended victim, which escaped 

 unharmed. 



The nests of Cooper's Hawk are usually placed in tall trees, from 



* For a complete description of this series of eggs see Qrnithologist and Oologist, Vol. XIII, pp. 34-37. 



