OF NEW ENGLAND. 857 
the patience to sail protractedly. On following his prey, he 
does so as if. attracted by an irresistible magnet, his move- 
ments being instantly simultaneous with those of his quarry. 
He generally carries off his food, and eats it in a tree. But 
his prowess in comparison with his size is astonishing, and he 
often pounces upon birds much larger or heavier than himself. 
I have seen him fall upon Pigeon Woodpeckers, and upon 
plump Quail. In such cases, he feeds upon the ground, but it 
is useless to rescue his victims, as they are almost invariably 
found to be dead or past all recovery. These Hawks are said by 
Auduben to act often in concert, but they usually hunt singly. 
I have seen the Goldfinches escape from their clutches by 
mounting above them, even until almost lost to sight, but most 
birds, terrified by the fary of their onslaught, instinctively 
dive into thickets or trees, which unfortunately afford them but 
little protection. Whatever feelings of anger and indefinite 
longings for revenge may be excited by the Sharp-shinned 
Tlawks, one cannot but admire their intrepidity and spirit. 
Though they feed partly upon insects, yet they must be con- 
sidered eminently destructive, and be ranked among the auda- 
cious marauders who unhesitatingly plunder the farm. It is 
common to find traces of their murders in carefully picked 
bones or scattered feathers, along the wood-paths where they 
have secured some prize. 
(d). Their notes are loud and shrill, but are not often heard 
except in spring. 
(B) coopert. Cooper's Hawk. ‘Chicken Hawk.” 
(In New England, a summer-resident.) 
(a). About eighteen inches long. Tail slightly rounded. 
“Neck often marked with rufous.” Otherwise like the Sharp- 
shinned Hawk (A). 
(b). The nest has a strong outward resemblance to that of 
the Crow, and sometimes an imperfect resemblance throughout. 
It is composed chiefly of sticks, which are neatly laid together 
near the top of a pine, a rather slender tree being not unfre- 
quentiy chosen. It is placed either in the topmost crotch, or 
