FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES, ETC. 199

serve the reputation commonly attributed to the large Hawks of the genus Bit/co.

'l‘he Sharp-shunted Hawk ditl‘ers 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, ag- gressive 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. Sometimes it may be seen soaring in narrow circles, when its dispro- portionately 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.

“Of 159 stomachs examined, 6 contained poultry or game birds; 99, other birds; 6, mice; 5, insects; and 52 were empty ” (Fisher).

333. Accipiter cooperi 1’ [lulu/pf». Coorrzu‘s ll.\\\'K. All/.7Similar to adults of the preceding. but larger and with the crown blackish. 1111.; Similar in color to young of .1. Til/tr, but larger. 5 L., 1:360; \V.. 9'50; T.. 7‘73: B. from N., '55. 9 171.. 10"“); “1. 1050: T.. 0'00.

IleMI/t—lll‘emls from the Gulf of Mexico to valbundland. and winters from Massachusetts to Mexico.

“"zisliinutoii. common 1’. ll. Sing Sing. lolerably common l’. R. ('ambridue. common T. \'., ;\pl.; Sept. and (let; not uncommon S. R.: rare \V. Y.

first. in trees. twenty—five to fifty feet from the ground. [lg/(Ls, three to six. pale bluish white, sometimes lightly spotted with

. __ FIG. Gdgltounded tail of Cooper‘s Hawk. hro\\'nlsli,1'fm x 12).).

This species resembles the preceding.r in habits, but because of its larger size is more destructive to poultry.

“Of 133 stomachs examined. 34 contained poultry or game birds: 5‘2 other birds: 11, mammals; l, frog: 3, lizards; 2, insects; and 39 were empty ” (Fisher).

334. Accipiter atricapillus 1 H'ils, l. ;\ maun‘ax (losnAWK, AIL—- L‘pper parts bluish slate—color; head blackish. a white line over and behind