THE SHARP-SHINNED HAWK. 



{Accipter velox.) 



The Sharp-shinned Hawk is a hardy 

 and courageous bird with an extended 

 range, covering North America as far 

 ^outh as Panama. Unlike the larger 

 number of birds, it breeds throughout 

 its range, even as far north as the Arctic 

 circle. In the fall months it passes over 

 the middle states in large numbers. One 

 writer says that he observed several hun- 

 dred during a single day's tramp, the 

 majority flying very high in the air. 

 In the spring, usually in Ad^arch and 

 April, the same scene is repeated during 

 their northward flight. 



Much of the bad repute in which the 

 hawks are held is due to the depredations 

 of the Sharp-shinned and its sister spe- 

 cies the Cooper's and goshhawks. All 

 these feed, to a grreat extent, upon the 

 smaller birds, grouse and poultry. The 

 smaller mammals, such as the trouble- 

 some field rodents, iorm a much smaller 

 proportion of their food than is the case 

 with the other hawks. 



Dr. A. K. Fisher, speaking of the 

 Sharp-shin, says : "Little can be said 

 in favor of this hawk, although its dar- 

 ing, courage and impudence are to be 

 admired. A score of valuable species 

 suffer because they belong to a class 

 which includes two or three noxious 

 kinds. However, like most villains, it 

 has at least one redeeming quality, and 

 that is its fondness for the English spar- 

 row, our imported bird nuisance. This 

 Hawk is gradually learning that there is 

 a never-failing supply of food for it in 

 the larger towns and cities, and it is not 

 uncommon in Central Park, New York, 

 all through the winter, where the writer 

 has witnessed it chasing sparrows." 



The Sharp-shinned Hawk is brave and 

 full of dash and spirit. It does not hesi- 

 tate to attack birds fully as large as itself 

 and in one instance it was known to 

 strike down a night heron, which ob- 

 tained its liberty only because its dis- 

 cordant squawks so disconcerted its ordi- 

 narily cool and collected enemy that it 



was frightened away. Even though its 

 wings are short and seemingly not fitted 

 for rapid progress, its flight, when in the 

 pursuit of prey, is very swift and direct. 

 "No matter which way the selected .vic- 

 tim may turn and double, his untiring 

 pursuer is equally prompt, and only 

 rarely will it miss capturing its quarry. 

 Once struck, death fortunately follows 

 quickly, as it fairly transfixes its victim's 

 vitals with its long and sharp talons." 



Audubon well describes the habits of 

 this bird. He says : "While in search 

 of prey, the Sharp-shinned Hawk passes 

 over the country, now at a moderate 

 height, now so 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 uponJt. 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 im- 

 petuosity of movement were essential to 

 its nature, and pounces upon and 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." 



The nest of this species is usually built 

 in dense hemlock or other cone-bearing 

 trees, though a deciduous tree is some- 

 tim.es selected. It prefers also a site not 

 more than twenty to forty feet from the 

 ground. It is said that the nest is some- 

 times built in the crevices of cliffs or in 

 hollow trees. This may be the case in 

 Arctic regions, but it is not the usual 

 habit of the bird within the borders of 

 the United States. The nests are very 



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