146 
The Sharp-shinned Hawk 
air, migrating southward in a leisurely manner, and so they follow 
the southern flight of the smaller birds on which they prey. 
Wooing begins among these hawks from April until early in June, 
according to the latitude. Perched in an exposed position, the male 
issues his shrillest call-notes, then moves about from place to place until 
a female responds. The ardent courtship is soon over and the happy 
pair fly away in company to select a suitable nesting-site. Nest-building 
occupies about one week. The nest is usually placed 
Nesting-site rather high in an evergreen tree in some sequestered 
locality. More rarely, it is situated in a deciduous 
tree, in a hollow stub, or on some lofty ledge of rocks. 
Sometimes an old Crow’s nest or a squirrel’s nest is utilized as 
a basis upon which to construct the home. In this case the nest is a 
large, conspicuous structure ; but ordinarily it is not very noticeable, 
and, in some cases, is well concealed by the foliage. It usually consists 
of a platform of sticks resting on a whorl of branches and fixed against 
the trunk of the tree. Dry grasses and strips of bark are interwoven 
to form the lining. Some nests are less skilfully formed and are unlined. 
The Sharpshin’s eggs number from three to five, and are pale white, 
greenish or bluish white, very heavily blotched, spotted and marked 
with light brown, dark brown, drab, fawn, and lavender, often in a ring 
about some part of the egg. Both sexes join in incu- 
Eggs bation and in the care of the young, which, when 
first hatched, are covered with soft white down. 
The young are confined to the nest for about four weeks. Then they 
begin to climb and flutter about among the branches, and if undisturbed 
may remain several weeks longer in the vicinity of the nest, where 
they are fed by the parents. The woods resound with their shrill, 
squealing cries. Having finally strengthened their wings by exercise 
among the tree-tops, they attempt longer flights, and soon leave their 
home forever. 
This bird is a model of activity and courage. Probably none of 
the raptorial birds is proportionately its superior in prowess. Every 
movement is marked by nervous haste. It is fierce, swift, impetuous — 
the embodiment of ferocity and rapacity. It does not hesitate to attack 
birds much larger than itself. C. J. Maynard tells of one that struck 
a Night Heron in mid-air, dashing it to the ground. 
C< Strength nd Not se ^ om strikes and kills other birds or mam- 
mals so large that it cannot carry them away. It has 
been known to kill and carry off a young pullet so heavy that its toes 
dragged on the ground. I saw a clamorous Crow follow one of these 
Sharpshins and attack it, but the little bird turned on the sable tormentor 
and drove it ignominiously from the field. Indeed, the Crow was for- 
tunate to escape with its life, so fast and furious was the onslaught 
of its small but spirited antagonist. 
The Sharpshin hunts forest, orchard, field and meadow. In wooded 
