Page:Condor16(1).djvu/18

 Jan., 1914 NOTES ON NESTING OF THE SHARP-SHINNED HAWK 17 the small birds, but not being in a position to defend himself lost uo time in reach- ing th-e cover of the trees. On reaching the nest I found four of the eggs pippod, one with the opening large enough to reveal a small portion of the young bird motion. Faint peeps were heard. I returned to the nest at 4 P- M. and found that one young bird had hatched, and one other egg had a small opening through its side. The young bird xvas covered with fine white down over the entire body, permitting the color of the flesh to show thrcugh, giving a slight pink appearance. The eyes were open and very dark in color. The plucked body of a small bird rested on the nest. The Fig. 11. EGGS OF SHARP-SHINNED HAWK AS RESTING NATURALLY IN THE NEST; PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN JUNE 18, 1913 young hawk picked at the remains of the bird when it was held close to it, but to no effect. On July 3, xo:3o ^- i., the male hawk began his shrill cries long before I reached the thicket. The female was very ferocious, keeping up a constant "cha, cha, cha", and striking at me again and again from the time ! began to climb to the nest. On reaching the nest I found three more young hatched and the fifth egg pippod on one side. The first young hawk was able to raise its head and seemed quite alert. The other three were lying flat. No signs of food. I had brought my camera along this time and prepared for a negative of the four young.