The Sharp-Shinned Hawk 95 



seen high in air, migrating southward in a leisurely manner, and so they follow 



the southern flight of the smaller birds on which they prey. 



From April until early June, according to the latitude, the 



Nest, Eggs wooing of the Hawks begins. Perched in an exposed position, 

 and Young °, . ,.,.,, n • i ^ <■ 



the male issues his shrillest call notes, moving about from 



place to place until a female responds. The ardent courtship is soon over 



and then the happy pair fly away in company to select a suitable nesting-site. 



Nest-building occupies about one week. The nest is usually placed rather high 



in an evergreen tree, in some sequestered locality. More rarely, it is located 



in a deciduous tree, in a hollow tree, or on some lofty ledge or cliff. Sometimes 



an old Crow's nest or a squirrel's nest is utilized as a basis upon which to construct 



the home. In this case the nest is a large, conspicuous structure; but, ordinarily, 



it is not very noticeable, and, in some cases, it is well concealed by the foliage. 



It usually consists of a platform of sticks, resting on a whorl of branches and 



fixed against the trunk of the tree. Dry grasses and strips of bark are usually 



placed upon this foundation and interwoven to form the nest lining. Some nests 



are less skilfully formed and are unlined. 



The eggs vary in number from three to five, and are pale white, greenish or 

 bluish white, very heavily blotched, sotted and marked with light brown, dark 

 brown, drab, fawn and lavender. These markings often form a ring about some 

 part of the egg. Both sexes join in incubation, and in the care of the young, which, 

 when first hatched, are covered with soft white down. 



The young are confined to the nest for about four weeks. Then they begin to 

 cUmb and flutter about among the branches; but, if undisturbed, they remain 

 in the vicinity of the nest for several weeks longer, where they are still fed by the 

 parents. The woods now resound with their shrill, squeahng cries. Having finally 

 strengthened their wings by exercise among the tree-tops, they attempt longer 

 flights, and soon leave their home forever. 



This bird is a model of activity and courage. Probably none 

 jrl \ ^ of the raptorial birds is proportionately its superior in prowess. 



Its every movement is marked by nervous haste. It is fierce, 

 swift, impetuous — the embodiment of ferocity and rapacity. It does not hesitate 

 to attack birds much larger than itself. Mr. C. J. Maynard tells of one that struck 

 a Night Heron in mid-air, dashing it to the ground. Not seldom it strikes and 

 kills other birds or mammals so large that it cannot carry them away. It has been 

 known to kill and carry off a young puUet so heavy that its toes dragged on the 

 ground. I saw a clamorous Crow follow one of these Hawks and attack it, but 

 the Uttle bird turned on the sable tormentor and drove it ignominously from 

 the field. Indeed, the Crow was fortunate to escape with its Hfe, so fast and 

 furious was the onslaught of its small, but spirited antagonist. Occasionally a 

 mob of Bluejays will follow and malign one of these Hawks until it becomes 

 enraged and dashes to earth one of the screaming crew, all of whom hasten to 

 escape, leaving their comrade to its fate. 



