BIRDS OF PREY 143 



birds should offer a bounty on his head and that of his 

 relatives, the big Cooper hawk and the goshawk. For- 

 tunately the last two are not numerous in the Land of 

 Sunshine. 



The Sharp-shinned is a fierce defender of his home in 

 the top of a pine or spruce. And this nest he has very 

 likely seized by force from its owners, the magpies or 

 squirrels or crows ; for might is always right in the forest 

 world, and whatever this brigand wants he takes. His 

 nestlings receive such constant care and strong food that, 

 by the time they are feathered and ready to leave the 

 nest, they are noticeably lai^er than the parents. It is 

 worth while to note, also, that the female is larger and 

 fiercer than the male, consequently more rapacious. The 

 note of the Sharp-shinned is in accord with his nature, a 

 high-keyed shrill whistle or shriek, and is uttered when 

 in triumph he dashes into a terrorized flock of small 

 birds or down into a barnyard full of poultry. For he 

 is no coward, and will attack a hen many times his own 

 weight even though she be surrounded by her kin. As 

 one writer says of hiffl, " He is the boldest fellow for his 

 inches that wears feathers." Certainly he is the most 

 destructive desperado, without fear and without mercy. 



333. COOPER HAWK. — Accipiter cooperii. 



FAMtLY : The Falcons, Hawks, Eagles, etc. 



Length: Male 14.00-17.00 ; female 18.00-20.00. 



Adult Male: Upper parts slate-color, top of head tlack; under parts 



white, heavily barred with chestnut ; tail rounded at end, barred with 



black, and tipped with white. 

 Adult Fernale : Upper parts duller, top of head rusty black. 



