THE SHARP-SHINNED HAWK 69 



Genus Accipiter Brisson. 



5. ACCIPITER VELOX (Wilson). 332. 



Sharp-shinned Hawk. Little Chicken Hawk. 

 Slate-colored Hawk. 



Field Characters. A small, -slender-legged, brownish or slate 

 colored hawk, with rounded wings and long square-tipped tail. 

 Usually seen along the hedges and the brushy margins of timber lands 

 pursuing small birds. 



Description. Above, bluish or brownish gray, darker on head. 

 Tail square, crossed by four noticeable dark, bands ; flight feathers 

 barred with dusky. Below, heavily barred with reddish buff on a 

 white background. 



Immature : With buff-margined brownish feathers above, and 

 white below with streaks of dusky or reddish brown. 



Measurements. Length, 10 to 14 inches; wing, 6 to 8.50 inches; 

 tail, 6 to 8 inches. 



Range. North America generally. Breeds nearly everywhere in 

 its United States range. Winters from Iowa southward. 



These destructive little hawks are common to all parts of the state, 

 especially during the spring and fall migrations, although only a com- 

 paratively small number remain here to nest. They are most fre- 

 quently seen in brush-land along the border of timber, and the 

 wooded banks of streams and lakes. They do not soar like the larger 

 ''buzzard hawks," but usually fly with short quick wing-strokes at no 

 great height. They are exceedingly alert and depend largely on their 

 slyness and dash in capturing prey. 



The call is described as similar to that of Cooper's Hawk though 

 not so loud, and is represented by KAK-KAK-KAK-KAK-KAK- 

 KAK sharply accented and high pitched. This note is uttered when 

 the nest is approached, and they are said to defend their homes with 

 considerable vigor. 



While the writer was waiting in a boat on Cedar lake for incoming 

 ducks, a flock of Red-winged Blackbirds arose from the rushes when 

 instantly a Sharp-shinned Hawk darted into their midst, his claws 

 striking right and left. A shot stopped him before he succeeded in 

 capturing any of the flock. 



Not infrequently they have been known to venture into the thickly 

 settled parts of cities in pursuit of English Sparrows. 



