104 
SHARP-SHINNED OR SLATE-COLOURED HAWK. 
our smaller snakes and lizards, and not unfrequently snatches up a frog 
while basking in the sun. 
The difference of size observed between the males and females, as well as 
between individuals of the same sex, is very remarkable ; and no doubt it 
was on account of this very great disparity that Wilson described specimens 
of each sex as distinct species. Its notes are short, shrill, and repeated in a 
hurried manner, when the bird is wounded and brought to the ground. It 
often emits cries of this kind while falling, but suddenly becomes silent 
when it comes to the earth, and then makes off swiftly, with long and light 
leaps, keeping silent until approached. Although a small bird, it possesses 
considerable muscular power, and its extremely sharp claws are apt to in- 
flict severe pain, should a person lay hold of it incautiously. 
Slate-coloured Hawk, Falco P ennsylvanicus, Wils. Amer. Orn., vol. vi. p. 13. 
Adult Male. 
Sharp-shinned Hawk, Falco velox , Wils. Amer. Orn., vol. vi. p. 116. Young Female. 
Falco velox, Bonap. Syn., p. 29. 
Falco euscus, Bonap. Syn., Append., p. 433. 
Accipiter Pennsylvanicus, Slate-coloured HawJc, Swains, and Rich. F. Bor. 
Amer., vol. ii. p. 44. 
American Brown or Slate-coloured Hawk, Nutt. Man., vol. ii. p. 81. 
Sharp-shinned or Slate-coloured Hawk, Falco fuscus, Aud. Amer. Orn., vol 
iv. p. 522. Adult. 
Tail even, tarsi extremely slender. Adult male bluish-grey above ; the 
tail with four broad bands of blackish-brown, and tipped with white ; upper 
part of head darker ; lower parts transversely barred with light red and 
white, the throat white, longitudinally sti’eaked. Female similar, more tinged 
with yellow beneath, and with the bands on the breast broader. Young 
umber-brown above, more or less spotted with white, the tail with four 
dark brown bars; lower parts white, each feather with a longitudinal,, 
narrow,, oblong, brown spot. Miniature of Falco Cooperii, and intimately 
allied to Astur JVisus. 
Male Hi, 20f Female 14, 26. 
