392 



THE AMERICAN SPARROW HAWK. 



length 8.75-10.50 (222.3-266.7); av. of nine Columbus specimens: wing 7.24 

 (183.9); tail 4-^3 (117-6); bill .50 (12.7). Adult female length 9.00-12.00 

 (228.6-304.8); av. of eight Columbus specimens: wing 7.50 (190.5); tail 5.06 

 (128.5); bill .52 ( J 3-2). 



Recognition Marks. Robin size, but appearing larger. The black markings 

 about head, and rufous of upper parts distinctive. 



Nest, in hollow trees, often in deserted Woodpecker holes. Eggs, 4-6, some- 

 times 7, creamy, buffy, or vinaceous, sprinkled and spotted with deeper shades of 

 the ground color, or darker reddish browns. Av. size, 1.38 x 1.14 (35.1 x 29.). 



Range in Ohio. North America east to the Rocky Mountains, and from 

 Great Slave Lake south to northern South America. 



Range in Ohio. Quite common resident. Less frequent in winter, especially 

 in the northern counties. 



THE handsome appearance of this little Falcon, .together with its com- 

 parative fearlessness and gratifying abundance, make it rather the best-known 

 bird of prey throughout the state. It is to be found almost, anywhere, and 

 pays us frequent visits in town, but its favorite perch is a dead tree-top or 

 stub at the edge of the woods, or a telegraph pole commanding an unob- 

 structed view. From these points of vantage the birds attentively watch the 



happenings on the 

 ground and dive 

 down whenever they 

 think their presence 

 is needed by mouse 

 or grasshopper. 

 Much time is spent 

 also on the wing, 

 passing rapidly from 

 wood to field, or fly- 

 ing slowly across a 

 promising meadow, 

 and pausing fre- 

 quently at a good 

 height to study a sus- 

 picious movement in 

 the grass below. A 

 Hawk will flutter 

 over one spot for a minute at a time, and then pass on disappointed, or else 

 pounce suddenly upon its prey and bear it off to some elevated perch for quiet 

 consumption. When the wind is blowing strong the bird no longer flutters 

 at its critical stops, but only balances on the wind, so nicely, indeed, that its 

 wings are almost motionless. 



Always graceful, the Sparrow Hawk is seen to best advantage during 



Taken near Oberlin. Photo by the Author. 



A FAVORITE PERCH. 



