HAWKS, EAGLES, AND KITES 
293 
“Of 124 stomachs examined, 7 contained poultry, or game birds; 
34, other birds; 57, mice; 22, other mammals; 7, reptiles; 2 frogs; 
14, insects; 1, indeterminate matter, and 8 were empty” (Fisher). 
332. Accipiter velox {Wils.). Sharp-shinned Hawk. Ads. — Upper- 
parts slaty gray; primaries barred with blackish; tail nearly square , ashy 
gray, with blackish cross-bars and a whitish tip ; throat white, streaked with 
blackish; rest of underparts barred with white and ochraceous-buff or pale 
rufous. Im. — Upperparts fuscous, margined 
with rufous; primaries and tail much as in 
the ad.; underparts white or buffy white, 
streaked or spotted with blackish or pale 
rufous-brown. cfL., 11 ’25; W., 6*60; T.,5’50; 
B. from N., ’40. $ L., 13*50; W., 8*00; T., 
7*00. 
Remarks. — This species very closely 
resembles Cooper’s Hawk. In adult plum- 
age the black cap characterizes that species, 
but immature birds may be distinguished 
only by size, and the difference in the shape 
of the tail, which in velox is nearly square, 
and in cooperi decidedly rounded. 
Range. — N. A. Breeds nearly through- 
out the U. S. and Canada from nw. Alaska, 
nw. Mackenzie, s. Keewatin, cen. Que., and 
N. F. southward; winters from B. C., Colo., 
Iowa, n. Ohio, and Mass. s. to Panama. 
Washington, common P. R. Ossining, 
common T. V., Apl. 3-May 11; Sept. 5-Oct. 25; rare S. R., uncommon W. 
V. N. Ohio, not common P. R., a few winter. Glen Ellyn, not common S. 
R., Mch. 19-Dec. 9. SE. Minn., common S. R., Mch. 28-Dec. 28. 
Nest , in trees, 15-40 feet up. Eggs, 3-6, bluish white to pale cream-buff, 
distinctly spotted, heavily blotched, or even washed with chocolate or cin- 
namon-rufous, 1*55 x 1*20. Date, Weaverville, N. C., May 1; Northampton 
Co., Pa., May 14; Cambridge, May 20; Knox Co., Ohio, May 11; se: 
Minn., May 8. 
The generally misapplied names “Hen Hawk” and “Chicken 
Hawk” should be restricted to the birds of the genera Accipiter and 
Astur for they deserve the reputation commonly attributed to the 
large Hawks of the genus Buteo. 
The Sharp-shinned Hawk differs decidedly in habits from the mouse- 
or insect-eating species, which watch for their prey from a lookout 
and capture it on the ground. It is a fearless, daring, aggressive bird, 
and flying swiftly, rather low, either in the open or through woods, 
it makes sudden dashes at the frightened birds, which hurry to cover 
to escape its talons. One hears a commotion among the birds; calls of 
alarm, and a dark form darts through the foliage in close pursuit, or, 
missing its aim, alights in the center of some thickly leaved tree, there 
to await in silence a fresh opportunity. I have seen it follow its prey on 
foot through the undergrowth. Sometimes it may be seen soaring in 
narrow circles, when its disproportionately long tail forms a good field 
character. 
It is usually a voiceless bird except during the nesting season, when 
a too close approach to its nest causes it to utter its peculiar notes. 
Fig. 85. Square tail of Sharp- 
shinned Hawk. 
common P. R. Cambridge, 
