LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



Some specimens are a dull white with a greenish tinge, but 

 with no evidence of spots. Others have u bluish or green- 

 ish ground-color, with pale 1 irregular blotches of light lilac, 

 or lavender. But the eggs of the same nest seldom display 

 any perceptible differences in their markings. They are 

 broadly oval in contour, with nearly symmetrical extremities. 

 Their average measurement is 1.85 inches in length, and 1.4^ 

 in width. 



fllSCUS, Gray. 



The Sharp-Shinned Hawk is one of the most common 

 of our North American species. Its geographical distribu- 

 tion is nearly co-extensive with the continent. It was found 

 by Richardson as far north as the 5ist parallel of latitude. 

 It has been found in Mexico by Mr. Pease, and in Alaska 

 to the north-west, by Mr. Dall. Messrs. Salvin and 

 Sclater mention it as rare comer in Guatemala. In Mas- 

 sachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Florida, Wisconsin, 

 and California, it has been observed to breed ; and it is 

 highly probable that it may yet be found to breed in all 

 the intervening States and Territories. 



In Eastern Pennsylvania, this species is tolerably abun- 

 dant, though less so than the common Sparrow Hawk. 

 Like the latter, it has no preference for a particular locality, 

 visiting the farm-yards in rural districts quite as often as 

 waste grounds and large open thickets. But in the city 

 it is only an occasional resident. The everlasting bustle 



" O 



and hum of such places, combined with the scarcity of 

 food-materials, are but weak incentives to induce a res- 

 idence in thickly-peopled places. But since the introduc- 

 tion of the Sparrows from abroad, there seems to be a 

 greater inclination to enter our cities and towns. Although 

 passionately fond of small birds, which contribute largely 

 to its sustenance, it is a not uncommon visitor to low mead- 

 ows, inquest of the small rodents which lurk .in those humid 

 situations. Few of our smaller Hawks are more spirited 



