XXX 



SPAEEOW HAWK 

 360. Falco sparverius (Linn.) 



This is the smallest of the United States Hawks, 

 measuring about ten inches, or about the length of the 

 Eobin. The Sparrow Hawk is a beautiful bird of a gen- 

 eral chestnut, gray and black color, and is found all over 

 temperate North America. The bird is easily identified, 

 as no other Hawk resembles it. It nests in natural cavi- 

 ties in trees and in abandoned Woodpecker holes in tele- 

 phone poles. It lays from three to four eggs, of a buff 

 color marked with brown splotches. (Fig. 43.) 



The Sparrow Hawk has the habit of hovering over 

 a given spot, with wings all a-quiver and head turned 

 to one side, inspecting a suspicious mouse-looking object 

 on the ground. If a mouse is discovered the bird swoops 

 down with the rapidity and accuracy of an arrow and 

 grasping its prey in strong and sharp-pointed talons 

 flies to a nearby perch and proceeds to execute the victim. 



One day I saw a Sparrow Hawk capture a mouse, on 

 the ground, and as the bird arose the mouse evidently 

 bit the Hawk's foot, causing it quickly to release its 

 hold. But the mouse was recaptured before it reached 

 the ground and was borne to a nearby telephone pole, 

 where it was quickly killed and eaten. 



I once discovered a pair of Sparrow Hawks inspect- 

 ing a Flicker's hole in a telephone pole by the side of 

 a road. I watched the two birds on and off for several 

 days, then I climbed the pole and peeped into the house ; 

 it contained one egg, of a dirty mottled brown color. 

 Two weeks later I inspected the nest again. I found 

 the mother bird incubating. I put my face within six 

 inches of her head. She did not wink an eye and seemed 

 perfectly composed, making no effort to escape. What 

 a glorious sense of security motherhood brings, even to 

 a bird of prey ! Her attitude of confidence seemed to say : 



107 



