SHARP-SHINNED HAWK
332. Accipiter velox. 12 in.
This little hawk, so near like the [Cooper], is one of the most active of the family, and from this fact it gets its name velox, meaning swift. It is often seen in woods, orchard, or even about buildings in large cities, in which latter places, it does good service in catching English Sparrows. If they would confine their food to these birds, no one would object, but unfortunately they will take any little bird that comes within their reach, or that they are able to catch. They are one of the very few hawks that do live largely upon birds, and even they destroy a great many mice.
Notes.—A shrill, three-syllabled whistle.
Nest.—A rude and usually frail structure of twigs, placed in branches of trees, usually at quite low elevations (15 ft.). Eggs white, beautifully blotched with brown (1.45 × 1.15).
Range.—Breeds chiefly in northern U. S. and Canada; winters throughout the United States.
