THE DESERT SPARROW HAWKE: eA 
Pacific coast district) chiefly west of the Rocky Mountains, south to northwestern 
Mexico. 
Range in Washington.—Abundant summer resident, and not common resi- 
dent east of the Cascade Mountains ; common in summer west of Cascades, where 
winter (?) birds are reverting to plumage of typicus. 
Authorities.—[ Lewis and Clark, Hist. Ex. (1814), Ed. Biddle: Coues. Vol. 
If. p. 185]? Falco sparverius, Brewster, B. N. O. C. VII. Oct. 1882, p. 227. 
(I )) IDES Rei, IDS, See, SS IS. Ie}. 12. 
Specimens.—U. of W. P'. Prov. BN? EB? 
THIS handsome little Falcon is un- 
questionably the best known as it is the 
most abundant bird of prey in Washing- 
ton. Tho not 
uncommon. in 
open situations 
west of the 
Cascades. it is 
more perfectly 
at home in the 
rocky defiles or 
upon the arte- 
misia plains of 
the East-side. 
Commanding 
points of rock 
are worn 
smooth by the 
clasp of many sharp-spurred 
claws; and tree-tops serve for 
sentry - boxes whenever the 
birds pass that way. ‘Telegraph poles are 
regarded as a special convenience, since 
they traverse the treeless stretches which 
afford no other watch-towers; and the 
tourist may relieve the tedium of travei 
as often as he likes by counting the fleeing 
Falcons melting away before the shriek 
of the “limited.” From such points of 
vantage as these the birds attentively 
watch the happenings on the ground, and 
dive down whenever they consider that BAC LG Lae eae ae ee 
their presence is needed by mouse or DESERT SPARROW HAWK, 
BERS 
oe. ems 
oe 
Soe: RS 
es 
“hod es 
