1 68 THE BIRDS ABOUT Us. 



resident in the Middle States they are more generally 

 noticed in the autumn and winter, and seem to follow 

 the flocks of tree-sparrows and Peabody-birds. 



Dr. Wheaton's account of his observations of this 

 hawk is most interesting : 



" The sharp-shinned hawk is one of the most daring and dashing 

 of the family, frequently and successfully visiting the barn -yard for 

 food, and often attacking birds of nearly its own weight. Some- 

 times, however, he fails to obtain his prey, either from over-confi- 

 dence in his own abilities or under-estimation of the powers of his 

 victim. I once saw an adult bird of this species pounce upon a 

 meadow-lark quietly feeding upon the ground. By some means the 

 attack was only partly successful, and the lark hopped about for a 

 few moments with the hawk upon his back. The ridiculousness of 

 his position seemed to disconcert the hawk, who relaxed his grip, only 

 to find himself attacked by the bill and claws of his victim. Then 

 followed a fierce fight with claws, bills, and wings, in which both 

 contestants appeared equally active and determined. Finally the 

 combatants separated, the hawk flying in one direction, disappointed, 

 dejected, and disgusted, the lark in another, recovering his breath 

 by extraordinary cries of alarm and distress. 



" The nest of the sharp-shinned hawk is usually placed in trees, 

 sometimes on rocks. The eggs are white, variously shaded, thickly 

 marked with different shades of brown. They measure about i .45 

 by 1.15." 



Cooper's Hawk, or Chicken-hawk, as you will, is 

 larger than the preceding, and with the increased 

 size goes increased daring. I have seen one of these 

 birds swoop down upon a decapitated chicken within 

 five paces of the man who was waiting for the chicken 

 to bleed. Dr. Warren says, " For impudent daring 

 this species, without doubt, ranks pre-eminent among 

 the raptorial genera." In general habits it does not 

 differ essentially from the preceding. 



The Goshawk is not a common species anywhere. 



