250 LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



eastern range of the Humboldt Mountains, where it nests 

 in hollows of limestone cliffs. 



In Eastern Pennsylvania, it is a not uncommon species. 

 making its appearance from its more southern habitat, 

 during the middle of April, but later, when the season is 

 remarkably backward. Of all our Falcons, it is the least 

 timid and suspicious ; and manifests nearly the courage 

 and address of columbarius . Like the latter, it does not 

 deserve the severe censure and cruel persecutions which are 

 occasionally inflicted upon it. It is certainly regarded in 

 some sections with less disfavor than any other species. 

 The countless numbers of field-mice and noxious insects which 

 it destroys, should command for it universal respect. It is cer- 

 tainly a great benefactor to agriculturists. It is too frail 

 a creature to commit much mischief in the farm-vard. If 

 it destroys a few young chickens occasionally, as has been 

 asserted, the immense good which it accomplishes, more than 

 balances the mischief done. Its numerous visits to the barn- 

 yard are not made with the view of depredating upon the 

 farmer's poultry, but for the vermin which frequent his 

 various outbuildings, and are so destructive to his stored 

 grains. Let them be encouraged in their visits. The} 

 cannot carry away the adult hen, and as for the chicks, 

 they are so w r elJ guarded by the mother, that only in rare 

 instances, will this Hawk have the hardihood to venture 

 an assault upon the brood, unless it be considerably scattered 

 from the parent, when it will merely single out the most 

 distant chick. 



The flight of the Sparrow Hawk is somewhat irregular. 

 but never protracted. It hovers for a moment over some 

 particular locality, suspending itself in mid-air, and almost 

 the very next instant darts oft" in a straight line. It rarely 

 flies more than a hundred yards before it alights. It is never 

 long on the wing, but prefers to watch for its prey, perched 

 upon the summit of a dead tree or a projecting twig, where 

 : t will frequently remain for more than an hour at a time. 



