100 NESTS AND EGGS OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



420. Sparrow Hawk — tinnunculus sparverius. Reddish, or light 

 buff, blotched and dotted with light and dark brown, at times confluent- 

 enough to conceal the ground, and sometimes chiefly confined to the 

 large end; five to seven are laid, usually five, nearly spheroidal in shape; 

 size about 1.33 by 1.12. This beautiful little Hawk is abundant every-" 

 where in North America, and is familiar to every boy who has been in 

 the fields. Here it may be seen hovering almost motionless in mid air, 

 then suddenly swooping down to the ground, arises again with perhaps a 

 field-mouse in its talons. From this habit it receives the name of Mouse 

 Hawk, although it also preys upon sparrows and other small birds. It is 

 found almost everywhere, though most abundant along streams where the 

 high sycamores furnish suitable nesting places, but meadows and fields are 

 its retreats when in search of food. It builds no nest, but deposits its eggs 

 in the natural cavities of high trees, often in the deserted holes of wood- 

 peckers, or in crevices in rocks or nooks about buildings. 



423. Caracara Eagle — polyborus cheriway. Deep chocolate or red- 

 dish-brown, more or less thickly covered with several darker shades of the 

 same; usually two in number; size about 2.28 by 1.84. This bird, interme- 

 diate between the eagles and vultures, and resembling both in habits, is a 

 constant resident in Mexico and northward into the United States as far as 

 California, and eastward into Louisiana and Florida. It catches some of its 

 prey living, but feeds readily upon dead animals. Although sluggish at 

 times, it is said to fly well, moving in a direct line, resembling the Black Vul- 

 ture somewhat, flapping and sailing alternately ; but when high in air, circles 

 like a hawk or eagle. The bird has been seen to chase a jackass-rabbit, 

 and constantly gain on it, notwithstanding the animal's sharp turns and 

 bounds. One bird has been seen to catch a snake or field-mouse, when 

 its companions would instantly pursue, and a lively chase would follow, 

 quite different from what is seen among true Vultures. The nests are 

 bulky platforms of small branches, with a slight depression, lined with 

 twigs, roots, and grasses; they are placed in trees and bushes. 



425. American Osprey; Fish Hawk — pandion haliaetus caroli- 

 NENSis. Yellowish or creamy-white, spotted and blotched with reddish- 

 brown and umber, so thickly at the larger end as to completely obscure 

 the ground ; in a series of two hundred eggs before me, there is a wonder- 

 ful diversity of coloring; the shapes and sizes also exhibit great variations. 

 Mr. W. W. VVorthington, of Shelter Island, N. Y.. who has collected 

 hundreds of the eggs of this species, and to whom I am indebted for the 

 large series just mentioned, together with numerous notes, says the largest 



