BIRDS OF PREY 



(332) Accipiter velox 



(Wils.) (Lat., a liawk; swift). 



S H A R P - S H I N N E D HAWK. 

 Tail long and square -ended (this is 

 the most infallible distinction between 

 this and the next species), crossed 

 by about four blackish bars. Adults 

 in perfect plumage are bluish-gray 

 above, and below are barred with 

 rusty. Young birds have blackish- 

 brown upper parts, and below are 

 striped lengthwise with brown. The 

 feathers of the crown and nape 

 show whitish bases when disturbed. 

 L., 10.00-14.00, the 9 being the 

 larger; W., 6.00-7.00; T., 5.00- 

 6.00. Nest — A frail structure of 

 twigs in trees; three to five whitish 

 eggs, beautifully marked with brown 

 I.4SX 1.15. 



Range — Breeds throughout the 

 U. S. and Canada. 





Marsh Hawks, whether in the Hght, blue-gray plumage or 

 the dark, reddish-brown dress, may readily be recognized 

 in flight by the prominent white upper tail coverts. This 

 species not only alights upon the ground more often than any 

 other of our hawks, but builds its nests in the marshes or 

 meadows. These nests are made chiefly of grasses or rushes, 

 quite well hollowed out to receive the four to seven unmarked 

 bluish-white eggs. The eggs are covered by one of the 

 adults nearly all the time and hatch in about three weeks. 

 The parents seem to share about equally the task of feeding 

 the young. The whole family usually remains united until 

 they migrate. 



SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, although of smaU size, 

 are reckoned as among our most destructive birds of prey. 

 Although they undeniably do good by the mice and squirrels 

 that they destroy, they do a much greater amount of harm 

 by killing a great many insect and seed-eating birds; they 

 attack and kill birds as large or larger than themselves, such 

 as Pigeons, Mourning Doves, Bob-Whites, etc. They also 



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