162 LAND BIRDS 
aging in some way to convey it to a perch before eating. 
Of man he has little fear, building his nest in a tree near 
to human habitation, and paying little attention to any- 
thing but his own hunting. 
His call is a sharp, high “ killy-killy-killy,” uttered as 
he flies over his prey, and has given him the nickname of 
“Killy Hawk.’ He is also called “ Mouse Hawk ” in 
some sections, from his habit of preying upon field mice. 
Early in April the Sparrow Hawk looks about for a _ 
place in which to set up housekeeping. Sometimes it is 
an old magpie’s nest that pleases him best, sometimes 
a kingfisher’s hole in the bank of a river, sometimes 
a snug crevice in a wall of rock, but usually he chooses 
the deserted excavation of a woodpecker, or a natural 
cavity in a sycamore tree. No nest is made, but on the 
unlined surface of the cavity the four or five speckled 
eggs are laid. Incubation lasts twenty-three to twenty- 
six days, and the young remain six weeks in the nest. 
For the first week the nestlings are fed exclusively on 
insects ; after that, insects predominate in the nursery 
menu, although mice are brought several times a day. 
After leaving the nest they are fed in the tree, for a 
week or so, before they try to hunt for themselves. The 
first lesson is very interesting to watch. One of the 
adults brings a bit of food to the youngster, who is sit- 
ting on the perch where for several days he has been 
fed, and instead of giving it to him, lets it fall in full 
view, at the same time calling “ killy-killy-killy.” In 
nearly every case the young hawk springs after it with- 
out hesitation the first time this is tried, and he often 
ene inscne ae 
