A YEAR WITH THE BIRDS 
659 
Season: A common resident; coming about farms and even city parks 
in the winter. 
Nest: Occasionally on a rocky ledge, but usually in some thick ever- 
green at a moderate height from the ground ; a bulky platform of 
sticks with an upper story of bark, leaves, and moss. 
,Eggs: 4-5, purplish white, spattered heavily with dark brown; some- 
times the spots form a wreath at the large end. 
This small and very common Hawk is possessed by a spirit 
of dash and daring altogether out of proportion to its size. 
Dr. Abbott, in speaking of the rapidity of its movements, says : 
“ It is feathered lightning. He ceases to be before you realize 
that he is.” 
A robber Hawk of the worst kind, brave, bold, and cruel, 
sparing neither farmyard fowls or wild birds. 
Cooper’s Hawk: Accipiter cooperi 
The had Chicken Hawk 
Plate XII Fig. 2 
Length: 15-16 inches. 
Male and Female: Uniform bluish gray above, top of head blackish; 
tail crossed by several blackish bands; below white, with breast 
and sides barred with dusky or rufous. This species resembles 
the last, but is distinguishable by its greater size and rounded 
tail. Feet rather stout, greenish yellow. 
Season: Common summer resident from March to December; occa- 
sionally winters. 
Nest: In the tops of trees in thick woods, some authors say in ever- 
greens ; those I have seen have been in hickories. 
Eggs: 3-4, bluish white, either plain or spotted with reddish. 
A mischievous harrier of all birds from barnyard fowls to 
song birds, doing by craft what it cannot accomplish by daring 
alone. 
Red-tailed Hawk: Buteo borealis 
Red Hawk, Hen Hawk 
Plate XII Fig. 1 
Length: 19-22 inches; female, 22-24 inches. 
Male and Female: Above dark brown, variegated with white, gray, 
and tawny; below whitish and buff, streaked across belly with 
brown. Tail rust-red, with a black band near end; in young, 
tail gray with numerous narrow brown bars. Moderate, horn- 
colored bill ; feet stout and strong. 
Season: A common resident. 
