Large Nests in Trees 



The nesting season begins from early in April to early in 

 June, according to locality. 



333. Cooper's Hawk: Accipiter cooperii (Bonap.) 



Adult — Resembling tfie sharp-shinned hawk ; the dark crown, 

 rounded tail, and superior size, are the most marked differences. 

 Length — f, , 15.30; ?, 19.00. 



Breeding Range — Throughout the Eastern States. 



The nest is large and bulky ; it is made of sticks. Often a 

 deserted crow's or hawk's nest is used, otherwise the nest is 

 placed near the top of a tree, generally in a crotch. The eggs 

 number from 4 to 6 ; they are white, more or less tinged with 

 green or blue, either immaculate or with light reddish-brown 

 spots. Size — 1.97 X 1.50. See Fig. 4, Plate A. 



This is one of the many so-called chicken hawks, and it de- 

 serves the name far better than many of the other hawks, as it 

 destroys a great number of poultry. 



The breeding season, near New York, begins about the end 

 of April, and in the South about the first of April. 



334. American Goshawk: Accipiter atricapillus (Wils.) 



Adult — Upper parts slate colour ; head much darker ; line over 



eye white ; under parts whitish, with broken bars of dark 



gray. 

 Immature — Upper parts dark brown ; under parts buff, streaked 



with very dark grayish brown. Length — 5, 22.00; ?, 



24.00. 

 Breeding Range — From the more northern parts of the United 



States northward. 



The nest is made of sticks, lined with coarse pieces of bark 

 and grass ; it is placed in tall trees, usually evergreens. The 

 eggs, numbering from 2 to 5, are whitish, sometimes tinged with 

 blue or green, either unmarked or with light brownish spots. 

 Size — 2.32 X 1.75. 



This bird resembles the European goshawk, which was 

 used to catch hares and rabbits in the time when falconry was so 

 much the fashion. 



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