161 



perieiice, gives three and four davs, according to style, 

 as the time requisite for the construction of the nest. 



Various writers assert that dry grass, leaves, moss, 

 etc., aid in the make-up of the nests; such, no doubt, 

 is the case, but as previously stated, I have found 

 sticks and twigs to solely constitute the nests. 



Incubation is alternately engaged in by both birds, 

 which, while they show great solicitude for their off- 

 spring, repelling all bird intruders with the most dr 

 ((Miiiincd /(al and ])ugnacity, will, when molested by 

 man, show marked timidity, and leave to his desecra- 

 tion their nest and its contents. The young are care- 

 fully watched and fed by the parents, chiefly on a diet 

 of small birds — sparrows principally — until. Gentry 

 says, they are al)out six weeks old, when they are able 

 to provide food for themselves. 



FOND OF POULTRY AND SONG BIRDS. 



This hawk occasionally feeds upon insects, mice and 

 reptiles, but the greater portion of its food consists of 

 wild birds and poultry, particularly young poultry. 

 ^^'hen a pair of Sharp-shinned or Cooper's Hawks nest 

 in the neighborhood of a farm, where young chickens 

 can readily be captured, they, if not speedily killed, 

 will visit the place almost daily until the young chicks 

 have all been destroyed, and if the hawks are not mo- 

 lested after a few visits to the coo])s, they seem to bo- 

 come more bold and daring every day. 



KILLS GAME BIRDS. 



This hawk does not by any means devote his atten- 

 tion exclusively to young poultry Avhen lie comes about 

 the farm yard, but often may be seen to attack and 

 kill chickens when two-thirds or even full grown., 



11--IT 



