438 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. 



4 



plumage, and, like the males, usually lack the rufous crown-patch. 



The Sparrow Hawk is the American representative of the Kestril 

 of Europe (Tinnunculus tinnunculus), a considerably larger but other- 

 wise very similar bird. The common note is peculiar, consisting of 

 a protracted, not unmusical chatter, difficult to describe, but when 

 once heard always to be recognized afterward. Neglected fields 

 with old dead trees are the favorite abode of the Sparrow Hawk, 

 for the lofty naked branches are a convenient and commanding 

 position from which to survey the surroundings, while the knot- 

 holes or deserted excavations of the larger woodpeckers afford cosy 

 and secure houses for their nests. Upon a lofty branch the Sparrow 

 Hawk may be seen resting or patiently "waiting for something to 

 turn up"; sitting quietly, in an upright position, sometimes for an 

 hour or more. Should a thoughtless mouse steal incautiously from 

 her nest for a ramble, the quick eye of its watchful enemy detects 

 it. He first dives from his perch and flies directly over the object 

 in view. Should the latter be quiet for a while, the hawk poises 

 itself in mid-air, its fan-like tail widely expanded, and its head 

 lowered, waiting for a favorable opportunity to descend upon its in- 

 tended victim. But the mouse is usually rather restless, running 

 first to one point, then, after a short halt, zigzagging off to another. 

 The hawk, however, follows every movement, shooting rapidly off 

 and hovering temporarily exactly to correspond with the movements 

 of the unsuspecting mouse. When thus engaged it is sure to attract 

 attention, and this characteristic of the species is doubtless familiar 

 to sportsmen as well as to all people used to country scenes. When 

 it alights, the Sparrow Hawk plunges upon the branch, closes its 

 wing with a nervous snap, and tilts its expanded tail up and down, 

 at the same time turning its head watchfully from side to side. 



Instances have been known where this hawk deposited its eggs 

 in a deserted crow's nest ; but it is seldom that they expose them in 

 this manner. There is usually no nest, but the eggs are laid upon 

 the rubbish at the bottom of the hole. 



The eggs are generally five in number, but range from three to 

 seven, the latter number, however, being but seldom found in one 

 nest. In shape they are nearly spherical, but little difference in size 

 and contour being observable in the two ends; their length ranges 

 from 1.32 to 1.48 inches, the average being about 1.38; and in 

 breadth they measure from 1.08 to 1.20 inches, with an average 

 diameter of 1.13. The ground color of the eggs varies from white 



