THE ARKEDONDO SPARROW HAWK V 



food for its existence; second, to avoid its enemies; and 

 third, to rear its offspring. In studying the history of any 

 bird one learns the details of these three phases of its life. 

 With many birds this is difficult to do. Some are very 

 timid, and conceal themselves in the grass and shrubbery. 

 The homes of a few are in almost inaccessible swamps. 

 Still others live far away on the rolling ocean, and are seen 

 only by mariners and travelers. 



Not so with the sparrow hawks. In almost any locality 

 in the United States they may be found, although their 

 numbers are greater as one travels southward. Nor do 

 they hide from sight. Their perch is usually some tall 

 stake or tree ; their food is caught in the open ; their path- 

 ways of travel are in full view through the boundless sky. 



Scarcely a day passed that I did not see Dick. He came 

 repeatedly to his perch on the dead pine and called, until 

 one day his mate joined him. At once he launched into 

 the air, and for her pleasure began a series of elaborate 

 circles and evolutions. The open space of the field was his 

 parade ground, the top of the blasted pine was her grand 

 stand. 



At times he flew slowly, and again with high speed, now 

 skimming low, now soaring high above the earth. Far out 

 over the rice field and grove he went, then turning, came 

 hurrying back through the air, flying to his mate, calling 



