206 THE SPARROW 



crown being streaked with slaty; the upper parts, includ- 

 ing the tail, wholly reddish-brown, heavily cross-streaked 

 with black; the under parts yellowish-white, streaked with 

 light-brown; the chin, femoral feathers, and vent, clear; 

 otherwise, like the male. The young are said to be covered 

 with a whitish-down at first, but soon approximate the 

 colors of the mature birds. 



The dashing attack of our little Falcon, through thickets 

 and along hedges, is not only upon Sparrows, but upon the 

 smaller birds in general. Not only the elegant Bluebird, 

 the stately Cedar Bird, and the noisy Self-conceited Cat- 

 bird, may become its prey, but even the Robin, the Brown 

 Thrush, and the Blue Jay birds almost as large as itself. 

 Unlike the true Hawks, and some other species of its family, 

 it does not give a long chase in the open field after its prey, 

 but, in strict pursuit, stealthily seeks the covert of bushes or 

 hedge-rows, or it pounces upon the innocent passer-by una- 

 wares. Seldom, indeed, does it affect the barn-yard, and 

 then only to pick up a stray chick too remote for parental 

 interference; and since by far the greater part of its fare 

 consists of noxious vermin, it merits as indeed it often 

 obtains the sympathy and protection of man. 



The Sparrow Hawk generally reaches New York from 

 the south about the middle of April or before, sometimes 

 even as early as March, but becomes most common early in 

 May, when the flood-tide of the migration of the little birds 

 is fairly set in. Then it may frequently be seen about the 

 fields and pastures, or even passing leisurely over the 

 crowded town, with a peculiar butterfly locomotion; and 

 may always be distinguished from the Sharp-shinned Hawk, 

 so near it in size, by its long-pointed wings, the Sharp-shin 

 having rather short and broad wings. Courtship, which 

 in the case of young males is said to be much varied 



