io6 



FALCONIM: : HAWKS. 



ately stout ; bare portion of tarsus shorter than middle toe ; the 

 tarsal scutella always distinct. Tail a little rounded. Length 

 of male, 16.00-18. oo ; extent, about 30; wing, 9.00-10.00; tail, 

 7.00-8.00 ; female averaging about 2 inches longer than the male, 

 the wing and tail an inch longer. In this species the whole foot, 

 though relatively shorter than that of A.fuscus, is four inches or 

 more in length ; infusczts the same part is only 3.50, or less. 



Cooper's Hawk is one of our most abundant species, 

 particularly in the lower tier of States ; it is chiefly a 



FIG. 21. BILL AND FOOT OF COOPER'S HAWK, nat. size. 



summer resident, but many individuals remain through 

 the winter. For audacity and address in capturing birds 

 and quadrupeds of considerable size, it is surpassed by 

 few of its tribe, while its physique is sufficiently power- 

 ful to enable it to play havoc with domestic poultry. Its 

 common name of Chicken Hawk is earned by its exploits 

 in the barn-yard, where its raids are no less frequent 

 than successful. It not seldom strikes down birds 

 bulkier than itself, and in fact too heavy for it to fly 

 away with. 



Numbers additional to those that winter with us make 

 their appearance in March, and it is not till the following 



