124 



This is the second smallest Hawk we have. It has not the sustained 

 strength or persistency of the " Noble Falcons ", but it is active and 

 agile. It makes bold dashes at its prey, but on missing the stroke seldom 

 follows it up by pursuit and almost never strikes on the wing, as the 

 " Noble Falcons " do. 



Economic Status. This is the species that should have been called 

 " American Sparrow Hawk " instead of the little Falcon which has been 

 so named. It is a close relative, and the American representative, of the 

 European Sparrow Hawk which s also an Accipiter. The name would 

 suit this bird excellently as the smaller Sparrows and other birds are its 

 favourite food. 



Of 107 stomachs examined, 6 contained poultry or game-birds; 99, 

 other birds; 6, mice; and 5, insects. This gives 105 harmful food contents 

 against 11 good ones. The mice consisted of no more than 9 individuals, 

 but the small birds numbered 115, from Kinglets to a Mourning Dove in 

 size. This makes a strong case against this otherwise rather interesting 

 species. One good word can be said for this little Hawk: it is fond of 

 the English Sparrows and takes toll of their flocks about the smaller 

 towns and cities. Pelee point on lake Erie is a famous Sharp-shinned 

 resort in the autumn, and great numbers of Thrushes, Vireos, Sparrows, 

 and other small birds annually fall victims to these active little freebooters. 



333. Cooper's Hawk, chicken hawk. fr. — i/£pervier de cooper. Accipiter 

 cooperi. L, 15-50. Similar to the Sharp-shinned Hawk, but larger. 



Distinctions. A small, male Cooper's Hawk may come very close in measurement' to 

 a large female Sharp-shinned, and a large female to a small male Goshawk. Cooper's 

 Hawk can be distinguished from the Sharp-shinned by its rounded instead of square tail 

 and its comparatively shorter amd heavier tarsus. At no age is it like the adult Goshawk in 

 coloration, but juvenile plumages are very similar. The best guide to separation other than 

 size is the feathering of the tarsus; about one-third is covered in Cooper's Hawk and about 

 one-half in the Goshawk. It may also resemble young plumages of the Red-shouldered 

 Hawk, which see. It may also be confused easily with the juvenile Broad-winged Hawk, 

 but has the first four instead of three outer primaries abruptly narrowed or emar- 

 ginated. 



Field Marks. Accipiter outline and size are the best field guides. The round instead 

 of square tail will help distinguish this from the Sharp-shinned. Coloration of the adults 

 is the only field mark besides size to differentiate from the Goshawk. 



Nesting. In trees, much like the Sharp-shinned Hawk, but seldom in conifers. 



Distribution. From the northern borders of settlement south throughout the United 

 States. 



An even worse species than the Sharp-shinned as its larger size gives 

 it greater power and capacity for damage. Showing an almost equal spirit 

 it seeks larger prey and even a fairly well-grown chicken is not safe from it. 

 Adult fowls are rarely attacked unless feeble. 



Economic Status. Of 94 stomachs examined, 34 contained poultry or 

 game-birds; 52, other birds; 11, mammals; 1, frog; 3, lizards; and 2, 

 insects. The mammals consisted of rodents, mostly harmful, but one a 

 grey squirrel; making a total of 87 food contents against the species, 12 

 in its favour, and 4 neutral. As it is a comparatively common Hawk 

 throughout much of the settled parts of the country it is certainly a menace 

 and is responsible for much of the popular ill-repute of the order as a whole. 



