SHARP-SHINNED HAWK. 523 
reader, the shortness of the wings of the Sharp-shinned Hawk, its long 
tail, though almost perfectly even, instead of being rounded as in the 
Goshawk, added to its irregular, swift, vigorous, varied, and yet often 
undecided manner of flight, greatly protracted however on occasion, 
have generally impressed upon me the idea alluded to. While in 
search of prey, the Sharp-shinned Hawk passes over the country, now 
at a moderate height, now close over the land, in so swift a manner 
that, although your eye has marked it, you feel surprised that the very 
next moment it has dashed off and is far away. In fact it is usually 
seen when least expected, and almost always but for a few moments, 
unless when it has procured some prey, and is engaged in feeding upon 
it. The kind of vacillation or wavering with which it moves through 
the air appears perfectly adapted to its wants, for it undoubtedly 
enables this little warrior to watch and to see at a single quick glance 
of its keen eyes every object, whether to the right or to the left, as it 
pursues its course. It advances by sudden dashes, as if impetuosity of 
movement was essential to its nature, and-pounces upon or strikes such 
objects as best suit its appetite ; but so very suddenly that it appears 
quite hopeless for any of them to try to escape. Many have been the 
times, reader, when watching this vigilant, active, and industrious 
bird, I have seen it plunge headlong among the briary patches of one 
of our old fields, in defiance of all thorny obstacles, and, passing 
through, emerge on the other side, bearing off with exultation in its 
sharp claws a Sparrow or Finch, which it had surprised when at rest. 
At other times I have seen two or three of these Hawks, acting in 
concert, fly at a Golden-winged Woodpecker while alighted against 
the bark of a tree, where it thought itself secure, but was suddenly 
clutched by one of the Hawks throwing as it were its long legs for- 
ward with the quickness of thought, protruding its sharp talons, and 
thrusting them into the back of the devoted bird, while it was endea- 
vouring to elude the harassing attacks of another, by hopping and 
twisting round the tree. Then down to the ground assailants and 
assailed would fall, the Woodpecker still offering great resistance, until 
a second Hawk would also seize upon it, and with claws deeply thrust 
into its vitals, put an end to its life; when both the marauders would 
at once commence their repast. 
On several such occasions, I have felt much pleasure in rescuing 
different species of birds from the grasp of the little tyrant, as when- 
