FAMILY ButeonidcB 



air over some object which seems to promise 

 a meal, and then dropping lightly down upon 

 its prey. 



Sparrow hawks are found in open country 

 away from heavy timber, more especially 

 about cultivated fields which offer them a 

 food supply in the shape of mice, grass- 

 hoppers and other vermin so closely identi- 

 fied with farming operations. They may be 

 seen perched on dead trees and telephone 

 poles along country roads watching intently 

 for any movement in the grass that may indi- 

 cate possible quarry. When disturbed they 

 fly leisurely across a field to perch on tree or 

 bush in plain sight, seemingly unafraid of man. 



The eggs of the sparrow hawk are laid in 

 natural cavities in trees, but preferably in 

 old woodpecker's holes which are occupied 

 for many years in succession if undisturbed. 

 The eggs are almost round, three or four in 

 number, dull white and thickly spotted with 

 reddish brown. 



FAMILY BUTEONID/E: HAWKS, EAGLES, 

 KITES 



Western red-tailed hawk, Buteo horealis 



^^^ calurus. 22.50 



Distribution: Western North America 



from the Mississippi valley to the Pacific 



150 



