FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES, ETC. 



199 



serve the reputiition coraraonly attributed to the large Hawks of the 

 genus liuifo. 



The Sharp-shitined Hawk differs dtridodly in habits from the 

 mouse- or insect-eating species, which watcii for tiu-ir prey from a 

 lookout and capture it on the ground. It is a fearless, daring, ag- 

 gressive bird, and flying swiftly, rather low, either in the open or 

 through woods, it makes sudden dashes at the frightened birds, which 

 hurry to cover to escape its talons. One hears a commotion among 

 the birds; calls of alarm, and a dark form darts through the foliage 

 in close pursuit, or, missing its aim, alights in the center of some 

 thickly leaved tree, there to await in sileiu^e a fresh opporttuiity. 

 Sometimes it may be seen soaring in narrow circles, when its dispro- 

 portionately long tail forms a good field character. 



It is usually a voiceless bird except during the nesting season, when 

 a too close approach to its nest causes it to utter its peculiar notes. 



"Of 150 stomachs examined, G contained poultry or game birds; 

 99, other birds; 6, mice; 5, insects; and 53 were empty" (Fisher). 



333. Accipiter cooperl ( />"n'y.). roopKu's Hawk. ./(/.— Similar 

 to adults of the i)rc'Ct'din>r, but larj,'er uiid witli tlie crown bluckiBli. Im.— 

 Siinilur in color to younj; of A. 

 ■vel(>,i\ liut lari,'cr. <S L., IS-.W; 

 W., 9-r.O; T., 7'7.'); H. from N., -55. 

 9 L., in-oo; w., iO'r)0; T., y-oo. 



IxniKji'. — r>rc('«ls frniii tlic (lulf 

 of Mexico t" NcwfdUinlland, ami 

 winters from Massachusetts to 

 Mexico. 



Wftshins.'ton, common 1*. U. 

 Sim,' SiniT, lolcraMy common W M.' 

 Camhriilirt.', common T. V., A])!.; 

 Sejit, anil Oct. ; not uncommon 

 S. R.; rare W.V. 



A'^.•*^ in trees, twenty-five to 

 fifty feet from tln^ ^rrourid. /;V/f/.S 

 three to six, iiale bluish white, 

 sometimes liirlilly spotteil witli 

 brownisli, I'iiO x V'M. 



This species resembles the preceding in lialiits, b\it because of its 

 larger size is more destructive to poultry. 



"Of i;];i stomachs examined, 'M contained poultry or game birds; 

 52, other birds; 11, mammals; 1, frog; !j, lizards; 2, insects; and 39 

 were empty " (Fisher). 



384. Accipiter atricapillus ( Wih.). Ameukan Gosihwk. A,t.- 

 Upper parts bluish slutc-color; head bluekisli, u wliitc line over und beiiin.l 



Fia. fW.— RouiuU'il tail of Cooper's Hawk. 



i!i r 



\'n 



