Sharp-shinned Hawk 169 
Distribution.—The whole of North America, breeding from Alaska 
and Hudson Bay and Newfoundland south to the southern border of 
the United States; wintering from about 40° N. to Guatemala. 
The Sharp-shinned Hawk is a common bird throughout Colorado 
from the plains to about 10,000 feet in the mountains, though chiefly 
breeding in the latter. A few birds are resident throughout the year, 
but the greater number are migrants from the south. 
The following are the principal notices of its occurrence : Boulder co., 
resident in the valley, breeding in the mountains (Gale) ; Breckenridge, 
breeding (Carter); Barr Lake, common on migration (Hersey & 
Rockwell) ; El Paso co., March and April (Aiken coll.) ; Manitou Park, 
October (Colorado Coll. Mus.); Baca co., May (Warren); Wet Moun- 
tains, common to 10,000 feet (Lowe) ; Mesa co., breeding, not known to 
winter (Rockwell); La Plata co., breeding (Morrison). 
Habits.—This is one of the most abundant of Hawks 
throughout the United States, and nothwithstanding 
its small size is well known for its dash and boldness. 
It preys almost entirely on other birds, often tackling 
species as large or larger than itse]f, such as Mourning 
Doves, Robins and Grackles ; it has a special predilec- 
tion for young chickens, and unless checked will clear 
a poultry-yard in a very short time. It is impossible 
to regard it as useiul or beneficial, except that it destroys 
large numbers of young sparrows. Its flight is very 
swift, and it will dash on its prey in the air, on the ground 
or even when sheltered in a bush. 
Morrison found a clutch of three eggs on June 22nd, 
1886, near Fort Lewis; an old Magpie’s nest, the roof 
of which had collapsed, was made use of, a few leaves 
and feathers having been added to form a lining. It 
was twelve feet above the ground. The eggs are described 
as white with a purplish tinge, heavily blotched with 
brown, in one case so as to form a complete cap to the 
end of the egg. 
Bendire states that the usual nest is a bulky one, 
placed in a fir tree or occasionally on cliffs. The eggs, 
four or five in number, vary considerably ; they are 
