296 ANIMAL LIFE IN THE YOSEMITE 



The Pigeon Hawk is not much larger than the Sparrow Hawk, but 

 it has the daring, intrepid nature of the larger falcons. It preys chiefly 

 upon small birds and is therefore quite different in habits from the common 

 and better known Sparrow Hawk which in structure it resembles rather 

 closely. Two dates of actual capture of specimens at Smith Creek are 

 February 26, 1919, and December 20, 1919. 



American Sparrow Ha\vk. Falco sparverius sparverius Linnaeus 



Field cliaracters. — Our smallest hawk, only slightly larger than Robin, but appearing 

 bigger because of the longer wings; wings pointed (pi. 44i) and, when closed, reaching 

 nearly to end of tail. Two narrow vertical black stripes on side of head below eye; 

 chin and belly white; top of head, back, and most of tail, rusty red; male with basal 

 portions of wings slaty blue and tail with a broad subterminal black band and a white 

 tip; female lacking slaty tone on wings, this being replaced by rusty brown, and tail 

 narrowly barred with black throughout. Flight swift, with frequent quick turns; often 

 hovers in one position for several seconds, with wings rapidly beating. Voice : A shrill 

 Mll-y, Jcill-y, kill-y. 



Occurrence. — Common resident ; most numerous in the San Joaquin Valley, but 

 ranges clear up through the Hudsonian Zone, at least in summer ; in Yosemite Valley, 

 during most of year. Pound chiefly about grass and meadow lands. 



Most of our hawks are notably wary and difficult to approach, but the 

 little American Sparrow Hawk may often be seen at a fairly close range. 

 The traveler going into the mountains from the west will have good 

 opportunities to observe this bird on the plains of the San Joaquin Valley, 

 either from the windows of the railroad train or along any of the highways. 



The sparrow hawk is decidedly misnamed, for it very rarely captures 

 sparrows or other birds, but devotes its attention to small rodents, such 

 as meadow mice, and to insects. Indeed we would be fully justified in 

 renaming the bird. Grasshopper Hawk, so^ often are these insects eaten. 



The sparrow hawk is to be seen at rest on a telephone pole or other 

 conspicuous perch whence it can watch the surrounding country for the 

 small game which constitutes its prey. Again it hunts over meadow and 

 grassland, now darting along in rapid, sometimes erratic, flight ; again 

 hovering in one position for several seconds, its long pointed wings 

 (pi. 44i) rapidly beating the air, while its keen eyes search the ground. 

 Should prey of any sort be observed the bird darts down with surprising 

 rapidity and seizes it. Occasionally, as where grasshoppers are abundant, 

 this hawk is seen foraging on the ground much in the manner of a robin. 

 Its shrill Mll-y, Mll-y is uttered at almost any time, both when the bird 

 is resting and when on the wing. 



During the nesting season a sparrow hawk will occasionally mount high 

 into the air and then pitch down head foremost on set wings until close 

 to the earth when it will change to a level course, or else hover, before 

 indulging in further similar behavior. 



