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proach of winter. The Sparrow Hawk displays less timidity than 

 any of its genus. If the gunner advance cautiously, it permits a 

 near approach, and not unfrequently alights near the farmer's dwell- 

 ing. It preys chiefly on mice and small birds — and at times, with 

 a boldness becoming to more destructive species, descends upon 

 small chickens. 



FALCO COLUMBARIUS— LINN. 



PTGEON HAWK. 



Pigeon Hawk, Falco columbarius,Wils. Anaer. Orn. 

 Falco columbarius, Bonap. Syn. 

 Pigeon Hawk, Falco columbarius, Nutt. Man. 

 Falco columbarius, Pigeon Hawk, Sw. & Rich. 

 Pigeon Hawk, Falco columbarius, Aud. Orn. Biog. 



Specific Characters— -Upper parts bluish-gray ; lower parts yel- 

 lowish-white ; the breast and sides of the body marked with black ; 

 tail rather long, a little rounded, the outer feathers with five white 

 bands, the middle feathers with four — all largely tipped with white 

 : — the space between the last band and the tips twice as great as 

 that between the bands. Adult with the upper parts bluish-gray ; 

 the wing quills marked with large spots of reddish-brown ; tail ra- 

 ther darker than the back, barred and tipped with dull white ; low- 

 er parts yellowish-white ; the breast and sides of the body with ob- 

 long black spots. Young with yellowish-white markings on the 

 sides and hind part of the head ; lower parts yellowish-red, the 

 ceral parts of the feathers streaked with blackish-brown ; throat 

 yellowish-white. Length of male^ eleven inches and a half, wing 

 seven and three quarters. Female about three inches longer. 



On Long Island this spirited little Hawk is quite common, and 

 according to some writers, its migrations extend to Hudson's Bay. 

 Its food consists of small birds, and from its habit of attacking wan- 

 dering flocks of Pigeons, it has received the name of " Pigeon 

 Hawk," and is known to many as the "Bullet Hawk," so called 

 from the velocity with which it descends upon its prey. It is noted 

 for its daring thefts, and as a great destroyer of young poultry. 

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