THE SPARROW HAWK 



HE sparrow hawk is sometimes called the 

 "killy hawk," from the sound of its 

 note, "killy-killy-killy," repeated in rapid 

 succession. This beautiful and singularly col- 

 ored little bird is quite plentiful in the northern 

 part of the United States 

 in summer, but at the 

 approach of winter many 

 migrate to the Southern 

 States. 



This hawk usually 

 nests in large wood- 

 pecker holes, and con- 

 sequently rears its brood 

 quite close to the habita- 

 tion of man. The period SPARROW HAWK 

 of incubation is about three weeks, and for several 

 days after hatching the young are covered with a very 

 soft down; in fact some of the down is not molted 



by the time the young birds are ready to fly. 



328 



