56 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF ALABAMA 
scarcely to move, as he shot like an arrow through the 
flock. Other instances of the swiftness of flight by Fal- 
cons might be given but these seem to show that no bird 
flies as fast as the falcon.” (1893b). 
73. FALCO COLUMBARIUS COLUMBARIUS (Linneus). 
PIGEON HAWK. 
“Rare. I saw one of these falcons last year pursuing 
tame pigeons. His performance was poor compared to 
the brilliant work of the peregrine.” (1890e). 
The only original reference to this species that could 
be found is one of the Doctor’s Baldwin County notes 
that is not very authoritative: “While returning from 
Dauphin Island at dawn on Sept. 22d, a falcon was seen 
pursuing a tern off the shore of the Gulf. It was sup- 
posed from size to be the pigeon hawk.” This was in 
1892. 
The stomach of No. 1106, listed below, “‘contained re- 
mains of a small bird.” 
No. 947. Female. Greensboro. Oct. 6, 1891. W. C. Avery. 
No. 1106. Male-juv. Greensboro. Dec. 22, 18938. W. C. Avery. 
74. FALCO SPARVERIUS SPARVERIUS (Linnezus). 
SPARROW HAWK. 
“Common. Resident. Breeds.” (1890e). 
The stomach contents of an adult male taken Mar. 17, 
1888, near Greensboro, were recorded as ‘grasshoppers 
and crickets.”’ It is well known that the food of this in- 
nocent little hawk consists principally of such insects 
during the warmer months, while mice enter largely into 
its bill of fare during the winter, but nevertheless the 
slaughter of the species continues. 
No. 280. Male. Greensboro. Nov. 28, 1889. W. C. Avery. 
No. 801. Male. Greensboro. Nov. 1, 1890. W. C. Avery. 
No. 953. Male. Greensboro. Nov. 21, 1891. W. C. Avery. 
No. 963. Female. Greensboro. Dec. 13, 1891. W. C. Avery. 
No. 972. Male. Greensboro. Dec. 26, 1891. W. C. Avery. 
No. 1003. Male. Baldwin Co., Oct. 2, 1892. W. C. Avery. 
No. 1005. Sex (?). Baldwin Co. Oct. 2, 1892. W. C. Avery. 
