FALCONID^—ACCIPITBIN^: HAWKS. 
529 
by species of Buted). Tlie colors and changes of plumage of this species being practically 
tliG same as those of A. fuscus, need not be repeated. The chief difference is, that the crown 
of the adult is usually appreciably darker slate than the back ; the white scapular spots are 
smaller, fewer, or wanting ; in high plumage the upper parts are clearer bluish, while the 
breast has a fine glaucous bloom overlying the rufous and white ground-color; the tail is 
more decidedly white-tipped. A small ^ cooperi grades in size nearly down to a large 9 
fuscus, but there ap- 
pears to be constantly 
a difference of a couple 
of inches of total length 
at least ; and in any 
event, the other char- 
acters above given will 
suffice for their discrim- 
ination. In either spe- 
cies, the yellow of the 
cere and feet is often or 
usually obscured with 
greenish. In cooperi, 
the tarsal scutella are 
sometimes less distinct 
than is normal, but are 
not known to fuse into 
a boot. A large 9 not 
distantly resembles a 
young male Goshawk; 
but the difference in 
feathering of the tarsus 
is distinctive. Tem- 
perate N. Am. at large, 
and southward; one of 
the common ' ^ chicken " 
hawks, and a fellow 
of great audacity and 
prowess, preying on 
birds up to the size 
of grouse and domestic 
poultry. Nesting as 
described for vl. fuscus. 
The eggs I have ex- 
amined measure from 
Fig. 371. — European Goshawk, young (f , | nat. size, not distinguishable in the 
cut from tlie American Goshawk ; change of scale to ^ or ^ would make it repre- 
sent the young (f Cooper's or Sharp-shinned Hawk. (From Brehm.) 
1.80 X 1.45 to 2.10 X 1.60 (figures showing the variation both in size and shape), averaging 
about 1.90 X 1 .50. They resemble those of the marsh hawk so closely as not to be certainly 
distinguishable, but are usually more globular, and with a more granulated shell. The 
greatest diameter is at or very near the middle; difference in shape of the two ends is rarely 
appreciable. All are more uniform in color than those of most hawks, resembling the pale, 
scarcely-marked examples occasionally laid by most kinds ; none are conspicuously dark- 
marked. The ground is white, faintly tinted with livid or greenish -gray ; if marked, it is with 
faint, sometimes almost obsolete, blotches of drab, liable to be overh)()ked without close inspec- 
tion; only an occasional specimen is found with decided, though still duU and sparse, markings 
34 
