354 LAND-BIRDS AND GAME-BIRDS 



Other specimens exhibit great variation in ground-colors, but 

 they rarely have the large and prominent markings, often seen 

 on the eggs of the Sharp-shinned Hawk. 



(c). The Sparrow Hawks, though their flight is compara- 

 tively weak, it being rarely or never much protracted, are none 

 the less active and daring. Perched on some tree or fence, 

 and occasionally flirting the tail, they eagerly watch for their 

 prey, which consists of mice, small birds, and even insects. 

 Then, as if restless and dissatisfied, they leave their post, and 

 fly off along the roadsides, over the fields, through the or- 

 chards, but less often among the woods than in open lands. 

 Now pausing to reconnoitre, with a quivering of the wings, 

 now sailing briefly but with eminent grace, they pass on swiftly, 

 but not in the constant hurry which characterizes the Sharp- 

 shinned Hawk. Sometimes they pounce upon a field mouse, 

 which they often carry to a tree to eat ; sometimes their quick 

 eye detects a poor sparrow or thrush, and they then dive into 

 some thicket or chase on wing, generally with fatal success. 

 Their motions are characterized by more grace, but less speed 

 and fury, than those of the other small hawks. They are, how- 

 ever, equally cruel and destructive, and the smaller birds find 

 little or no protection in thickets or trees. They usually perch 

 and fly not far from the ground, and never, so far as I have 

 observed, mount to a great height. Several anecdotes serve to 

 show that they are very scrupulous about their food, and do 

 not like tainted flesh. They are the least shy of our hawks, 

 and often exhibit a surprising degree of familiarity toward 

 men. They are also rather social, and not uncommonly occur 

 in family-parties or pairs. 



The Sparrow Hawks are distributed through New England 

 rather locally, but apparently are nowhere common. They are 

 especially rare in Eastern Massachusetts, so far as I have ob- 

 served in confirmation of others, and, having never seen them 

 in winter, suppose them undoubtedly to be migratory. Mr. 

 Maynard, however, considers them as resident throughout the 

 year, though rare in winter. In Florida they are "abundant," 

 remaining there at all seasons, though known to occur in high 



