70 THE PESTS OF THE FARM. 



ches long ; the setaceous feathers which cover the nostrils extend 

 half its length ; the eyes are black ; the general color is a deep 

 glossy black, with steel-blue reflections ; the lower parts are less 

 glossy ; the tail is rounded, and extends about two inches beyond 

 the wings ; the legs are two inches and a half in length, and, with 

 the feet, are strong and black ; the claws are long. 



This bird is said to attain to a great age ; and its plumage to be 

 subject to change from the influence of years and of climate. It 

 is found in Iceland and Greenland entirely white. 



The raven may be destroyed in several of the many ways adopted 

 to kill the crow. He is more easily shot than the crow. 



OF HAWKS there is a great variety in America. Those only 

 are described that are common and diffused enough to be generally 

 troublesome. 



AMERICAN SPARROW HAWK. This bird is a constant resident 

 in almost every part of the United States, particularly in the states 

 north of Maryland. In the Southern States there is a smaller 

 species found, which is destitute of the black spots on the head ; 

 the legs are long and very slender, and the wings light blue. 



The nest of this species is usually built in a hollow tree ; gene- 

 rally pretty high up, where the top, or a large limb, has been 

 broken off. The female generally lays four or five eggs, which are 

 of a light brownish yellow color, spotted with a darker tint ; the 

 young are fed on grasshoppers, mice, and small birds, the usual 

 food of the parents. 



The habits and manners of this bird are well known. It flies 

 rather irregularly, occasionally suspending itself in the air, hover- 

 ing over a particular spot for a minute or two, and then shooting 

 off in another direction. It perches on the top of a dead tree or 

 pole, in the middle of a field or meadow, and, as it alights, shuts 

 its long wings so suddenly, that they seem instantly to disappear ; 

 it sits here in an almost perpendicular position, sometimes for an 

 hour at a time, frequently jerking its tail, and reconnoitring the 

 ground below, in every direction, for mice, lizards, <fec. It ap- 

 proaches the farm-house, particularly in the morning, skulking 

 about the barn-yard for mice or young chickens. It frequently 

 plunges into a thicket after small birds, as if by random, but 

 always with a particular, and generally a fatal, aim. It is particu- 

 larly fond of watching along hedge-rows, and in orchards, whero 

 those small birds usually resort- When grasshoppers are plenty 

 they form a considerable part of its food. 



