The Sparrow Hawk 329 
It is a bird of the open country, rather than of the 
deep woods, and often it may be seen perched upon 
a dead limb of a tree by the meadow, watching for a 
mouse or a grasshopper. When the hawk has located 
its quarry, it hovers above it for a moment, then, 
dropping quickly, seizes it with its sharp talons, and 
bears it away to the perch, to be devoured at leisure. 
I have often watched these birds feasting upon grass- 
hoppers; and so intently were they engaged that I 
could approach very near their watch towers without 
seeming to disturb them in the least. One August 
afternoon I very unexpectedly came upon a sparrow 
hawk as he sat upon a stub, and as he paid no atten- 
tion to me I watched him for some time. Within 
half an hour he caught and brought to the stub twelve 
large grasshoppers, which he devoured with apparent 
relish. This hawk feeds upon other insects also, 
seeming to have a special liking for crickets and 
spiders. 
When the insects upon which he feeds are scarce, 
he gives more attention to the capture of mice; at 
such times he may be found about haystacks and 
even farm buildings, ready to capture any mouse 
that dares venture from under cover. Probably when 
food is scarce this hawk occasionally captures a bird, 
but this is the exception, rather than the rule. The 
