LORQUINIA 
19 
thing that has ever been shaped, or moulded, or controlled with 
human hands. Nature speaks the omnipresence of a God. 
Among the many species of avian life inhabiting within the con- 
fines of the state of California, I know of no bird whose striking per- 
sonality is of more than ornithological interest. "The boldest fellow 
for his inches that wears feathers," says one of our learned writers 
on bird-life. The Sharp-shinned hawk of the Sierras is a representa- 
tive of the falcon group of the birds of prey. A bird that has be- 
come of decided economic importance. A bird that is not protected 
by law. He is a thief, a robber and a cruel murderer, and yet, I 
must admire him. He is dynamic, energetic and beautiful — one of 
the handsomest representatives of his race. A lover of the high alti- 
tudes, a champion on the wing and a fierce defender of his home. 
He is true to his mate and is ever attentive to the young in the 
•nest — guarding and protecting them with unique paternal care. 
Equally at home m the dense shadows of the forest, on the tree- 
less plains, or in the pine-covered mountain tops, the little warrior re- 
quires but two things, — plenty of food and good water. 
His choice tidbit consists almost wholly of birds. Alas ! We 
hear the high-keyed shrill whistle or shriek, that is uttered when in 
triumph he dashes into a terrorize ! flock of small sparrows or down 
into a barn-yard full of poultry. He fears no one, and even in the 
face of the farmer, he will attack a hen many times his own weight, 
even though she is surrounded by her own kin. It is quite true that 
he is the most destructive hawk in the state and without fear and 
without mercy. A bounty should be offered on his head, because of 
his continued overt acts. 
I find, however, that the female of the species is more dangerous 
than the male. She is the larger of the sex and fiercer by far, and 
consequently the more rapacious. 
The general color markings of the sexes are very similar, except 
that the male is darker an ] the colorings deeper. The uniform mark- 
ings of the species are as follows: .The upper parts are slate and 
the under parts white, heavy barred and spotted with chestnut. The 
tail is marked beneath with three or four narrow black bands and a 
white tip. The average size of the male is 10 inches and that of the 
female 12 inches from beak to tip of the tail. They breed in the 
month of xApril or May, and the breeding range is pretty well s':at- 
tered over the whole of North America, even into Alaska. The nest 
is a huge platform of sticks, lined with feathers and fibre of leaves 
and is usually placed in tall trees about sixty feet up near some 
mountain stream where the young can hear the murmuring of the 
distant waters flowing gently among the huge granite peaks in the 
canyon. The song of the cool, rippling stream ofttimes lures one 
away into the land of imagination. 
