120 
BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
mainly on field mice, other small quadrupeds, frog's, larg-e insects and 
sometimes, though rarely, they catch small wild birds. In writing of 
the food-habits, etc., of this species Nuttall says : “ It frequents chiefly, 
open, low and marshy situations, over which it sweeps or skims along at 
a little distance usually from the ground, in quest of mice, small birds, 
frogs, lizards and other reptiles, which it often selects by twilight as 
well as in the open day ; and at times, pressed by hunger, it joins the 
owls, and seeks out its prey even by moonlight.” 
In fourteen examinations made by myself, seven hawks had only field 
mice in their stomachs ; three, frogs ; two, small birds (warblers); one, 
few feathers, apparently of a sparrow {Blelospiza) and fragments of in- 
sects ; one, large number of grasshoppers with a small quantity of hair, 
evidently that of a young rabbit. 
Genus ACCIPITER * Brisson. 
Accipiter velox (Wins.)- 
Sharp-shinned Hawk ; Partridg-e Hawk; “ Pigeon Hawk.” 
Description {Plate 14 ). 
A large female of this species measures about 14 inches in length by 26 inches in 
extent. The male is smaller. In adult birds, especially the males, the plumage of 
the upper parts is bluish-gray, quite dark on top of head. Iris in adult, reddish 
orange, in young, light yellow. 
Habitat. — North America in general, south to Panama. 
This extremely daring g.nd spirited little hawk is one of the most 
abundant of our North American species. In Pennsylvania during the 
early spring, autumn and winter it is quite plentiful, being frequently 
met with in the mountainous and heavily- wooded districts, as well as the 
cultivated and rich agricultural regions. It is a native, but as such, is 
somewhat rare in many parts of the state. I have taken two nests, both 
built in low cedar trees ; these nests were entirely constructed of small 
twigs, and were loosely, but firmly, made. The cavity of one nest was 
* Birds of this genus are rather long and slender in form, and they have small heads, short wings, long 
tails and legs. The bluish-black bill is short and stout, maxilla being strongly hooked and sharp-pointed; 
the broad ovate nostrils are inserted in the greenish or yellowish cere. The tarsi are feathered in front 
a little less than half the length. Tarsus, especially in velox, is slender and in atricapillus rather stout; 
the toes are long and slender, the outer and middle united at base by a well-developed web. The black 
claws are very long, much curved and sharp; eyes in old birds are reddish-amber and in younger birds 
yellowish. The tarsus is yellowish. Birds of this genus are exceedingly active and vigilant; they tly 
with great rapidity and frequently pursue and catch when on the wing different species of wild birds, 
some of which are nearly as large as themselves. The Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1 have seen, capture quail 
when flying, and the fierce Goshawk has often been observed to pursue and overtake Wild Pigeons. 
These, and not. as some suppose, birds of the genus Buteo, are the hawks tlfat usually commit depreda- 
tions in the poultry yard and destroy numerous wild birds, particularly Grouse and Quail. The ordinary 
plumage of these hawks is dark brown above (very old birds, which are seldom taken, have upper parts 
bluish), darkest on head, and lower parts whitish, variously streaked and barred with dark brown, rusty 
and pale red. In oln Cooper’s and Sharp-shinned Hawks the breast, thighs and rest of under parts, ex- 
cept crissum and throat which are chiefly white, are white transversly barred with light red. Full-plumaged 
Goshawks have top of head black with light grayish-blue and whitish under parts, with numerous and 
irregular mottlings, streaks, and lines of black, white and dusky. 
