58 THE WEST VIRGINIA 
also secured a specimen at Fairmont September 14. As it is a 
lover of marshy meadows it was seen more often in such places 
than in the mountain districts. Its food consists largely of in- 
jurious rodents of which the meadow mice (Arvicole) con- 
stitute a large proportion. In the west it kills great numbers of 
Striped Gophers (Ground Squirrels). Small birds, especially 
ground loving species, are sometimes taken. Stomach of spec- 
imen secured contained a Chipping Sparrow. 
55. SHARP-SHINNED HAWK. 
Acceipiter Siler (Wils.). 
Kesident; common. Universally distributed throughout the 
country visited, and as often found in the farming as in the 
wooded districts. The food of this species consist almost entirely 
of small birds and young poultry. Stomachs of the three speci- 
mens received contained two Song Sparrows and one Gold- 
finch. 
56. COOPER’S HAWK. 
Accipiter cooperi (Bonap.). 
Resident; tolerably common. Cooper's Hawk is a bold, 
swiftly flying species which feeds largely upon poultry, game, 
and other birds. To the depredations of this, the preceding, 
and the following species may be attributed most of the feeling 
of hatred so generally shown by farmers toward all our hawks. 
587. GOSHAWK. 
Accipiter atricapillus (Wils.). 
Winter visitant; rare in the mountain districts. During se- 
vere winters it has been taken several times along the Ohio 
River. Its food consists largely of game and poultry. 
58. RED-TAILED HAWK. 
| Buteo borealis (Gmel.). 
Resident; common along the river bottoms, but less so in 
the Ohio and Kanawha Valleys. It is generally known as 
Chicken Hawk, as are all of the larger Hawks. Feeds princi- 
pally on mice. 
