215 



1.33 by 1.13 inches and are of a whitish or pale-yellow 

 brown color, blotched all over with dark brown. 



When the young or eggs are disturbed the parent 

 birds will sometimes defend invasion of their home 

 with great temerity. 



Some few years ago I was endeavoring to secure the 

 young from a nest of this species. I had climbed the 

 tree to the hole, about thirty-five feet from the ground, 

 wherein were snugly packed five young, one of which 

 I removed, when both old birds assailed me. They 

 several times Struck my head and arm? with their 

 talons and wings. So persistent were their attacks 

 that I, desiring to obtain the young alive, directed a 

 companion who stood nearby to shoot both birds. T 

 have repeatedly taken the eggs and young of this bird 

 but neA'er, except in the above cited instance, encoun- 

 tered such determined opposition. 



When reared from the nest the Sparrow Hawk will 

 soon become attached to its master. I raised two. 

 which were given their freedom. Both birds would 

 come at my call and alight on ray outstretched arm 

 or shoulders. anxiou.sly waiting fo^r a grasshopper or 

 (liece of meat, which was always their recompense. 



This hawk will resort for several consecutive years 

 to the same tree for breeding i)urposes. From Doctor 

 Wood's "Birds of Connecticut." the following remarks, 

 with regard to the nesting of tliis bird, are taken; 



"One of mj' collectors found a nest of four eggs in the top 

 of a stump about ten feet from the ground. This nest was 

 composed of grass, and was discovered by the grass protruding 

 through a crack in the stump. Whether this hawk constructed 

 this nest, or whether it had been made by some other bird, it 

 is impossible to tell, but if this hawk constructs no nest, as 

 asserted by Dr. Brewer and others, it must have obtained 

 it piratically, as the nest was new, Tn another instance, which 

 occurred in Granby, Connecticut, the nest was known to have 

 been obtained in this wa.v: A farmer made a dove house in- 

 side of his barn, with holes thrnugh Ihe sides of the buildin.s; 



